Need thoughts... did we do the right thing?

I doubt that he was on his owner's stoop, because who would leave him for so long? And if they could leave him, then, end of discussion - HE's YOURS!! There is no way you could, in right conscience, return him to that situation. I once counseled my daughter to keep a kitten that she rescued from a front yard - the children had nearly drowned it in their wading pool; their mom yelled at them to take it out of the water, and they did, and it lay on the lawn half-dead; no care was given to the kitten whatsoever. My daughter called me at work, desperate, and I told her to rush the kitten to our vet & put it on my tab. Maybe it was governmentally illegal, but it would have been immorally illegal to NOT take him (and in that situation, I had to answer to a Higher Source). He recovered & was an awesome cat named Toby, who became my grandson's best friend for years. I didn't even check if the previous owners/torturers missed him - they didn't put up flyers, I know that. Had they tried, I would have notified the authorities; my vet was willing to testify to the near-dead condition of the cat, including signs of malnourishment.

I agree with what everyone else has said and I just want to add that I think this kitten found you for a reason. You and Dillion need to give it all the love and attention it deserves. So, any ideas for names yet

Ari, you did a wonderful thing by this little one!

Like Lacey said, I would wait about a week looking for Lost Kitten ads, etc. If he has an owner who cares for him, they will put up posters at the least. If they don't, they don't deserve him, or he didn't really have an owner to begin with. It isn't unheard of, unfortunately, for people to take unwanted kittens to a populated area and dump them thinking they can fend for themselves or they will find a home. If you do find an owner, this gives you a good opportunity to find out how he was lost (it could be a case of an escapee), and to educate them on the proper care of an animal if it wasn't an accident.

However it turns out, he is just precious! Whether or not you are meant to have a new kitten in your household, you have definitely been an angel to him.

Oh, that is a tough moral dilemma. But if you live in apartment buildings, with small fenced areas, what is the likelihood of that kitten staying there for long? As soon as he got a little older, I'll bet he would have run off anyhow. Or gotten over the fence and been hit by a car.

Ideally, you will be able to talk to the people at some point, and figure out what their issue was. Did kitty sneak out, and they were gone at work? Is he new, so it isn't their fault he is skinny and hungry? For you to leave a small innocent animal where it will starve to death or be hit by a car is no moral victory! And he deserves a chance to be happy.

Ari, I certainly agree you did the right thing. I'm sure any of us would have done the same thing, I know I would. He's just precious and he reminds me very much of Sash when I found him.

I sure hope everything works out and I think he would make a great addition to your furry family!

Thanks guys, for all your help! My fiance went to Petsmart to pick up some kitten shampoo and a little litterbox and the people there were also saying we did a good thing by taking him in.

I'm having a hard time tho, I still feel guilt over "stealing" a cat, plus I'm wondering if we can afford him... Baylee and Max are already overdue for teeth cleanings and with me taking a 2 week hiatus between jobs, we won't have much money again until mid-September. I guess we'll see how he does this weekend and if we get the ok from the vet.

Names... he has no name yet, we've been trying some on for size but none have fit. But if he's meant to stay, I'm sure he'll tell us his name soon.

Unless you deliberately staked out a house where a cat was clearly loved and well cared for, you DID NOT steal this darling boy! That said, I do think there may be reasoable explanations for his condition when found (he may have gotten out and lost and can't find home and may have worried poeple somewhere wondering about him.) But you can try to find that out by advertising and calling local rescues and SPCA , etc,


ONce yu discover he is a stray, then keep him and love him which you already are - he sems right at home!

Ari, I think it is wonderful that you've taken in this kitten. I can understand how you feel about taking him in and not knowing if he has a family. Perhaps post a missing kitten ad at your appartment?

He looks to really be enjoying himself with you. It will be interesting to see how max and bay will handle a new brother.... I doubt max will care but Bay.... well she's female

Is there anyway to tell if he's been desexed?

http://www.thinkbabynames.com/keyword/0/rain

Look at the first one!

"Ara (Arabic) "Brings rain." [Ari, Aria, Arria]"

I think he is meant to be yours!

On there boy names for Rain: Tal (Hebrew) "Rain; dew." [Tahl, Talor]

Dewie would be cute.

You did absolutely the right thing! You saved his precious little life! And what a beauty he is, too cute for words. Anyone who would leave a kitten out in the rain like he was should NOT have a pet, no matter what. You've already taken him into your home and hearts -- now just keep him and love him for the rest of his life!

Awww, what a cutie!

You did the right thing to take him in, however, (if I may play Devil's Advocate) how do you think this will affect Max! He is already stressed. will this make things worse for him with added change in his life?!

Sorry to put another quandry in there, but I know you have been really worried about Max!

I hope you work everything out! Let us know what you decide and how things go!

Ari look how hes settled in and fits right into your family.
I dont think you stole him, just keep an eye out incase anyone is claiming for him. Just INCASE someone did lose him, but if his fur isnt shiny then with out a doubt he is anyones baby kitty except for yours

Hey everyone, thanks for the thoughts. Part of me wants to go looking for his owner, than the other half is scared that his owner is someone who obviously doesn't care for him... I feel torn and as a result, I've kept my eyes out for signs and people looking but so far nothing.

Sar, you're very right... and that's one of the issues on my mind, is how this will affect Max. And I'm not really sure... Max can hold his own, no matter how scared he is, and I think that if the kitten irritates Max, one swat will teach him a lesson. But who knows... my fiance is still needing convincing either way, as he doesn't like the idea of having *3* cats in the house, he thinks that's too many (plus he wants a puppy). Anyway, a lot depends on what the vet says today, both about his health and his condition.

Progress-wise, the little guy slept mostly through the night (woke up at 4:30am but I had to be up soon anyways so it was ok). He's a pouncer and a biter and with one giant leap to attack my hand, my fiance named him Jordan. We're not sure if that's his name, but I think it's cute. Another thing that's cute, if not odd, is that at one point, I was lying on my side and he got up under my hair and started licking the back of my neck, purring his little heart out. Strange?

Anyway, a vet visit is on the agenda for today so we'll see where we can go from there.

he looks very settled and happy in the photos cute little baby

Originally Posted by Ali012281

Is there anyway to tell if he's been desexed?

Click to expand...

I think I'm leaving that up to the vet... I barely figued out he was a boy as it is! At least, I think he's a boy...

Either way, I kinda think he's too young...

Maybe he was looking for you, but had the wrong door?

I agree with others here who said you did the right thing. My DH and I did the same thing a few years ago. We were at a party, a little kitten came onto the porch, and we took her home. She's been our spoiled princess ever since.

Originally Posted by Talon

Maybe he was looking for you, but had the wrong door?

Click to expand...

Cute idea!