Hello I am new to this site and need advice on bringing in a stray kitten. I have 3 inside adult cats currently, ages 5, 10 & 16 (all previous rescue cats). Now a bunch of cats are roaming the area and one had 2 babies under my back porch this summer. One of them died or disappeared and the other I want to take in. When I put food out the mom and other cats, even a possum come in and bully him out of the way. I have to stand over him while he eats. I am not sure if he is a boy or girl but he lets me pet him and he comes to me when I call him. He waits for me in the evening to come home from work. I tried to pick him up and he was wild but everything else he lets me do. Before he comes into my house I need to get him checked out for fleas and fixed in order to be around my cats. How old do they have to be before they get fixed and what else would he need from a vet? How should I get him in a carrier to take him in to the vet? I plan to check out the Humane Society this weekend because someone told me they spay and neuter stray cats for $25. I think he wants to come in and my cats know he is out there and with a little adjustment I think they will all get along. When I do bring him in does he need to be separated for a time? Any advice is appreciated. I just can't watch him out in the cold and rain.
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Help with taking a stray kitten in
- Thread starter jillm
- Start Date
First, if your humane society fixes cats for $25, that is an amazing price. Sounds too good to be true to me though. A cat can be fixed at 8 weeks, but some vets wait until 12 weeks. When the vet does the procedure he may give you something for fleas. If you get the kitten inside you can give him a bath if he will let you. Don't assume he has fleas though.
There are loads of threads here for getting a kitten into a carrier, etc. No clue where they are - hope someone will come along & help you.
What you want to do is totally doable. (Loads of threads here too about gradually introducing a new kitten to older cats.) I would say just grab him next time you can, being him inside, separate him from other cats, & get him to the vet ASAP. Might be tricky, might not be.
There are loads of threads here for getting a kitten into a carrier, etc. No clue where they are - hope someone will come along & help you.
What you want to do is totally doable. (Loads of threads here too about gradually introducing a new kitten to older cats.) I would say just grab him next time you can, being him inside, separate him from other cats, & get him to the vet ASAP. Might be tricky, might not be.
You can try luring him into the carrier with food. Place the bowl at the back of the carrier and he will probably go in.
If you can scruff him by the back of the neck, you can drop him into the carrier. A little more traumatic but effective.
Most vets ask to wait until cats are at least four months old before surgery. Some will do it earlier, some later. The Humane Society will explain their policies. Sure wish we had a S/N place that only charged $25!
Once he's been treated, it is best to give him a room to himself when he comes inside. A spare bedroom or bathroom would work but make sure there are no places he can hide where you can't get to him. If he has a tree in front of a window, that's great.
Once he's vet cleared of any contagious diseases, he can meet the others. I've used stacked baby gates or a screen door held in place with tension rods in the door to the room. That way he and the others can see one another but do no harm. After a few days or weeks, they can meet one another personally. Be prepared for some unpleasantness - your current cats are older and may not adapt to a rambunctious kitten!
I would also ask the Humane Society about their policy of spaying or neutering the outside cats. They may be able to help you trap them. Unless you get them fixed, you're going to have more kittens than you can handle!
If you can scruff him by the back of the neck, you can drop him into the carrier. A little more traumatic but effective.
Most vets ask to wait until cats are at least four months old before surgery. Some will do it earlier, some later. The Humane Society will explain their policies. Sure wish we had a S/N place that only charged $25!
Once he's been treated, it is best to give him a room to himself when he comes inside. A spare bedroom or bathroom would work but make sure there are no places he can hide where you can't get to him. If he has a tree in front of a window, that's great.
Once he's vet cleared of any contagious diseases, he can meet the others. I've used stacked baby gates or a screen door held in place with tension rods in the door to the room. That way he and the others can see one another but do no harm. After a few days or weeks, they can meet one another personally. Be prepared for some unpleasantness - your current cats are older and may not adapt to a rambunctious kitten!
I would also ask the Humane Society about their policy of spaying or neutering the outside cats. They may be able to help you trap them. Unless you get them fixed, you're going to have more kittens than you can handle!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
He is at least 12 weeks old, I just can't remember what month he was born in. How old are they before I would have to worry about a male spraying or a female going into heat? I just was surprised that the mother isn't very nice to him any longer. So you would just bring him in now and keep him separated until I get him to the vet?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
Around 4 months is when a female can get pregnant. A male kitten could get fixed now. It's not a matter of the mother not being nice to him - she has done what she can for him & now she must move on. She conceivably could be pregnant again. Please try to get her fixed.
Yes, you will only worry yourself until he is inside. (I am the same way.) Get him in & figure everything else out as you go.
Keep in touch & post a photo. Good luck!
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #7
That's a shame because this situation will repeat itself. I fostered a pregnant cat last year who subsequently had 3 kittens. Made me shake my head as to how a cat does this outside.
The Humane Society might be able to suggest an expert trapper. Usually one or two people who are involved in rescue turn out to be better-than-average at trapping and might be able to help.
You may also be able to borrow (or make) a drop trap. They are pricey to buy but fairly easy to make. I made one out of a PVC frame and sturdy plastic fencing. I improvised a sliding door on one side, so we could release the cat into a carrier or regular trap. Google "drop trap" - I am sure there are designs on the Web.
Good luck with this!
You may also be able to borrow (or make) a drop trap. They are pricey to buy but fairly easy to make. I made one out of a PVC frame and sturdy plastic fencing. I improvised a sliding door on one side, so we could release the cat into a carrier or regular trap. Google "drop trap" - I am sure there are designs on the Web.
Good luck with this!
