My daughter found a stray cat and will never take an animal to the Humane Society again

crazy4strays

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Yes, I don't care for the Humane Societies in my area either. I'm sorry that you had a bad experience. I'm so glad that they gave the cat back to you though. A lot of places would probably be like, "Too bad, so sad," and just euthanize the cat, saying that the finder gave up all rights when they surrendered.
 

msaimee

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Apparently not. I let her out when I got home from work yesterday. She went into the living room and the kitchen, sniffed around, then went back to laying in the doorway to her sanctuary and groomed herself. When my daughter came home, we let her out again. She sat next to my daughter on the couch while she was playing a video game. 

When I got home yesterday, one of my resident cats (Itty Bitty Kitty, who is anything but Itty Bitty!) was hiding under my bed and wouldn't come out even with treats. She's usually waiting for me at the door. She's always been very shy and timid but she's a very affectionate cat. It we're going to have a problem, it's going to be with her. When we first got her, she stayed under my bed for almost a month before she got up the nerve to venture out, and she only did that when she thought no one was looking. It took her quite a while to integrate with the then single cat (Magic, a tortie), who was about 8 months old at the time. 

Magic couldn't care less. She sits outside Sorin's room just sniffing around. Not intimidated at all, just curious. 
On the positive side, it sounds like Sorin is doing well outside of the cage, not caterwauling to get back outside, not destroying your house, not relieving herself where she shouldn't,  and not being aggressive to your other cats. It sounds like she's quite at home. So congratulations on her smooth transition from outside and out of her cage and into your home :)

Whenever a new cat transitions into a home with resident cats, it takes some time for them to all adjust to each other. I currently have 5 rescue cats inside my home, and have gone through transitioning a new cat into the home many times during the past 15 years. They always all come around and learn to co-exist peacefully, but it usually takes at least a few months and sometimes longer. The feral kitten I brought inside 6 months ago almost immediately bonded with my other four cats, and that was a pleasant surprise. She was so helpless and scared, they never even hissed at her. Now she rules the place, lol. I'm sure Bitty Kitty will adjust to the change in time, too. Just give her lots of extra attention, play time, and treats if possible. My resident cats always get spoiled more than usual when I take in a new kitty, which makes the transition easier.

Good luck, and thanks for caring for this new kitty. You and your daughter saved her life.
 
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woodstock66

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On the positive side, it sounds like Sorin is doing well outside of the cage, not caterwauling to get back outside, not destroying your house, not relieving herself where she shouldn't,  and not being aggressive to your other cats. It sounds like she's quite at home. So congratulations on her smooth transition from outside and out of her cage and into your home :)

Whenever a new cat transitions into a home with resident cats, it takes some time for them to all adjust to each other. I currently have 5 rescue cats inside my home, and have gone through transitioning a new cat into the home many times during the past 15 years. They always all come around and learn to co-exist peacefully, but it usually takes at least a few months and sometimes longer. The feral kitten I brought inside 6 months ago almost immediately bonded with my other four cats, and that was a pleasant surprise. She was so helpless and scared, they never even hissed at her. Now she rules the place, lol. I'm sure Bitty Kitty will adjust to the change in time, too. Just give her lots of extra attention, play time, and treats if possible. My resident cats always get spoiled more than usual when I take in a new kitty, which makes the transition easier.

Good luck, and thanks for caring for this new kitty. You and your daughter saved her life.
Thanks for the encouragement! I could sure use it.

On Friday, my daughter opened my bedroom door, where Magic and Itty were. Sorin ran through the door and immediately tried to attack Itty. Nobody got hurt, not even a scratch, but it was unnerving. I didn't have this issue when I brought Itty home and Magic was the resident cat.

On Saturday I tried to do a room swap. It didn't go well. I had 3 very ticked off cats. They were hissing at each other and at me. So I switched back. Now, I've been leaving Sorin's door open with the screen in while I'm home. She tried to attack Magic through the screen. In all fairness, though, after I switched the rooms back I should have closed the door and let everyone calm down. They were all upset.

Yesterday everyone behaved. There was a little hissing but nothing major. But this morning Magic (they invented the phrase curiosity killed the cat just for her) got a little too close to the screen and got swatted through the screen. I don't think claws were involved, though. I think Sorin is thinking of that room as her territory.

But she trusts me more and more each day. Today she nuzzled my hand and let me kiss her on the head. She trusts my daughter implicitly. She won't let me touch her back, though. She's still really skinny and maybe it hurts her.

She's a sweetie when she's out of that room. I hate keeping her locked up in there, but I'm afraid to introduce them. I'll settle for them not killing each other.
 

msaimee

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Sorin has been in your home 2-3 weeks? That is not long at all. It may take a few months or longer for them to settle in together. They will all learn to co-exist in time because they have to, since leaving for new territory is not an option. Continue doing what you're doing and it will all work out. I guarantee you they will not kill each other. The only time cats fight to the death is when they are fighting for a mate. When they are all inside of the home, they will fuss but not seriously hurt each other. Thanks for all of the great work you are doing.
 
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woodstock66

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Thanks. I just didn't have this issue when we brought Itty home. I expect some hissing and no-claws batting for awhile, just not out and out attacking. 

Other than Magic getting whacked yesterday, there were once again no issues. My daughter had Sorin out till about 2 am while the other two came into my bedroom, and she was NOT happy about having to go back in her room

Maybe it's time to introduce them and see how it goes. 

We're moving in a little over 2 weeks, so we're going to have to go through this again. If they can't co-exist relatively peacefully by then (again, I'll settle for not killing each other), then Sorin is going to have to stay in my daughter's room. She's taking the attic, which is so big that if it had its own bathroom it could be an apartment by itself. I don't know if that's the right move or not, but there really isn't another option other than a bathroom or the (finished) basement. 
 

frajude

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We have a cat that is about 12 years old.  She was an outside cat because we had a dog that would have killed her.  She was injured a while back and we had to take her inside.  I would give my right arm to have an area where she can stay.  She stayed in the living room and I have to separate the cats when I leave.  They have been together now for about two years and in the beginning one male (my Siamese) would taunt her. but now the other two kittens, one who is 10 months and the other 7 are keeping her on edge.  I hope that it works out for you but it is not just a matter of fighting but also giving the cat no peace!
 

msserena

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I think all Humane Societies are independent of each other, each location has their own rules, managers, etc. I wouldn't support or even deal with the one here where I live & then the ASPCA came in & took over. Now it's a joint effort & I don't even think they euthanize anymore. That sucks you had a bad experience, I would definitely contact someone & let them know what you dealt with.
 
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woodstock66

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That's on the list of things to do!

I introduced them all to each other last night. I was terrified that fur was going to be flying, claws and the whole smash. Instead I got...nothing. They completely ignored each other.

I set down three dishes of wet food on opposite sides of the living room. Magic decided she wanted nothing to do with it and went into the kitchen to chase her tail. Itty and Sorin ate their food (no hissing or growling or anything), and when they were done they just looked at each other. Then Sorin turned around and walked away to the hall, lay down and groomed herself. Itty went to her cat bed and was asleep in about 2 minutes. 
 
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woodstock66

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Thanks, I feel much better about this now. :) I'm going to just let Sorin out of her room when I get home. I think I can deal with any issues that come up. 
 
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woodstock66

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Help!

I let Sorin out when I got home, using the food like last night. Once again, they ignored each other...until they didn't.

Sorin was laying on the floor in her doorway while Magic was chasing a toy. Out of nowhere, with no warning, Sorin attacked Magic. And I mean NO warning. No hiss, no growl, no nothing. She just pounced. Fortunately Magic wasn't hurt, but Sorin went into her room behind the door.

A little while later, Magic was walking into my room (right across the hall from Sorin's room) and Sorin attacked her again. Again, Magic wasn't hurt.

The way Sorin moved made me think she thought Magic was prey. If she was just trying to play, then I feel bad for squirting her and discouraging it, but I don't know her well enough yet to tell the difference. Magic had no idea what was happening -- Sorin did it when Magic was facing away from her.

I could use some help here because I don't know what to think.
 

msaimee

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There is going to be a transitional period of time where the three cats work out issues of social hierarchy and sharing of territory. They are not going to seriously hurt each other because, unlike feral cats outdoors, they're not competing for food or mates. You have three choices. You can separate Sorin from the other two and start over with slow re-introductions. Or you can leave them to work things out among themselves, only stepping in if the fighting becomes more than horseplay. When doing this, you can use a spray water bottle and a very firm tone of voice. Let them know that you are the one in charge, the alpha cat so to say. The third option is a compromise between the two, keeping Sorin in a room by herself part of the day and allowing her interaction with the others under your supervision for another part of the day. It takes a few weeks to a few months for a new cat to fully integrate with in an established household. Your cats have only been together for a few weeks, it will take some time. No need to panic. In fact, if they sense your stress, it will cause them to be more stressed. Have you tried playing with all three of them together using a wand toy or laser toy? This is something that I have found helpful when introducing a new cat. I wanted to add that there are several links to helpful articles about introducing new cats on this forum that might be helpful to you as well.
 
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woodstock66

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There is going to be a transitional period of time where the three cats work out issues of social hierarchy and sharing of territory. They are not going to seriously hurt each other because, unlike feral cats outdoors, they're not competing for food or mates. You have three choices. You can separate Sorin from the other two and start over with slow re-introductions. Or you can leave them to work things out among themselves, only stepping in if the fighting becomes more than horseplay. When doing this, you can use a spray water bottle and a very firm tone of voice. Let them know that you are the one in charge, the alpha cat so to say. The third option is a compromise between the two, keeping Sorin in a room by herself part of the day and allowing her interaction with the others under your supervision for another part of the day. It takes a few weeks to a few months for a new cat to fully integrate with in an established household. Your cats have only been together for a few weeks, it will take some time. No need to panic. In fact, if they sense your stress, it will cause them to be more stressed. Have you tried playing with all three of them together using a wand toy or laser toy? This is something that I have found helpful when introducing a new cat. I wanted to add that there are several links to helpful articles about introducing new cats on this forum that might be helpful to you as well.
Good advice to play with them altogether. That way they all associate each other with fun.
Funny you guys should mention this. That's what I was trying to do. The first time she went after Magic, I was trying to play with them. I had the laser pointer and Magic does go nuts with it. Sorin was interested but not enough (or too scared) to join in. I was trying to get them to associate being together with fun (and food). Catnip was on the agenda, too. 

Maybe I am getting a little worried over nothing. I just don't like to see my baby kitty get attacked. I've had her since she was 8 weeks old and she has never so much as hissed at any of us or Itty. She's very laid back, easygoing and friendly. She's also very petite for an adult cat. Even skin and bones, Sorin probably weighs more than she does. 

I'm not stressing out over it. I just don't know where to draw the line and get involved. I've never had this problem before. I did spray Sorin both times. The second time she looked like she was afraid of me and that made me sad. If she was an abused cat, that's the last thing I want. But I did tell her no firmly both times. I didn't yell or anything. Then I let her calm down and went into her room and petted her. I know she's scared but every day does get a little better. 

Looking back on it, after the first time, it did seem like Magic was taunting her a little. She even does that to Itty. Maybe she was trying to get Sorin to play. I don't know. We'll try again tonight and see what happens. And we'll keep trying. 
 

msaimee

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Catnip, especially the loose kind (as opposed to catnip toys) can increase aggression in cats. Mine sometimes get aggressive with each other when catnip is involved. Try playing with them without the catnip.
 

Primula

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Catnip, especially the loose kind (as opposed to catnip toys) can increase aggression in cats. Mine sometimes get aggressive with each other when catnip is involved. Try playing with them without the catnip.
I think that's true. Some cats get very over-stimulated.
 
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woodstock66

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I think that's true. Some cats get very over-stimulated.
Catnip, especially the loose kind (as opposed to catnip toys) can increase aggression in cats. Mine sometimes get aggressive with each other when catnip is involved. Try playing with them without the catnip.
My others just get goofy. But the laser pointer seems to be helping somewhat. We've made some progress the last day or so. They were in the same room for over an hour last night before anything happened, and I don't have to use the water bottle although I still keep it handy just in case. As long as Magic leaves her alone everything is fine, but Sorin is even getting slightly more tolerant of that. She doesn't jump on her--she just chases her away.

Sorin hasn't messed with Itty, who is shy and timid but also a lot bigger than Sorin. Itty hissed at her and she went running.
 
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woodstock66

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Hi there. Its  good to hear that.  Thumbs up for that.
We're definitely making progress. Two spats yesterday, both caused by Magic jumping out of an empty box at her.

She's starting to come out of her shell a little more every day. Last night I got her to play and that's the first time. I just got home from work a little while ago and she came out and jumped up on the couch and sat next to me. Another first. [emoji]128522[/emoji] Tonight I'm going to try to get her to sleep with me.
 

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I am happy things are working out. I have a few cats that were strays. Siamese sleeps at my foot all the time but Anny and Georgie seldom sleep with me.  They are there to wake me up at 3:00AM. 
 
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