I have a previously feral foster cat...opinions?

kutin

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I rescued a nine month old (at the time) feral cat off of the streets that was emaciated and sickly. He ended up having pneumonia and all kinds of worms. The first night that he was with us we kept him in a dog crate with a litterbox and food, and he peed all over the sides of a sheet I put over the cage. That has been the only potty incident he's ever had.

Well two months later he is now a healthy, happy cat that enjoys human company and loves to play. He is still being kept in a dog crate in our garage, but I let him out daily to play in the closed-up garage. He uses the litterbox well, but because he gets so bored in his crate he tends to pull the poop out of his litterbox and play with it, even though he has toys to play with in his cage.

So I have a few questions.
1) I've been hanging posters up for two months now, and I also have had a rescue group make a courtesty post for him on petfinder.com No one has even inquired about this boy. I'm beginning to think that no one is ever going to adopt him. Which brings me to my question...we have the option of moving him to our basement to give him more space to run (and so he won't have to live in a cage all the time). We are unable to actually adopt him because we have a cat in our house that doesn't take well to other cats. I'm not so sure that the feral foster cat would take to adult cats, either. Is there any chance that if we would move the foster cat down to the basement that he would start peeing everywhere? My parents are terrified of this, and will not allow it.

2)If the whole basement thing would work out, is it a wise decision or a not-so-wise decision to get the foster cat a playmate? We know from experience that he adores kittens. Would it make sense to get him some company so he wouldn't get lonely in the basement? (I'd still visit him often, of course!) Is there any chance that after the kitten is grown that the foster cat would suddenly not like the other cat anymore, or would their bond just continue to grow? Would a female or male be better (the foster cat is a neutered male...and the other cat would get spayed/neutered)
 

beckiboo

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The only way to know how he will act in your basement is to try it. First put him in his crate in the basement, and allow him playtime there. Then give him free run. Keeping him in a crate most of the day is not a very good way for a cat to live.

Don't get me wrong, you have definitely done the right thing to save and care for this kitty. But now you want to make his life as nice as possible.

You said you know he likes kittens. Maybe the rescue group would take him into one of the foster homes, where he can befriend their kittens while waiting for adoption? Or if you keep him, getting him a companion is a great idea. No matter how much time you try to spend with him, if he is out of the main home area, he will probably get lonely.

Please keep letting us know how he is doing! He is extremely cute!
 

huggles

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awww look at him, he is just adorable. Its a shame no one has asked about him.

can the rescue group not help to place him in foster care?
 
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kutin

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Thanks, guys. I will try him out in the basement as soon as I can convince my parents.

I also rescued a kitten from my local animal control on Saturday...totally unexpected.
She's an 8 week old female with a injured lip. It is hanging off of her jaw, so they were going to put her down on Monday. I got a local rescue group to take her into their program and get her fixed up, but I will be fostering her. Once she gets all vaccinated and dewormed then I will let her and my foster kitty have supervised playtime.
So at least he has a playmate for now.
 

huggles

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Originally Posted by Kutin

I also rescued a kitten from my local animal control on Saturday...totally unexpected.
and yet again you do another selfless act - bless you


how is everything going with your 2 new additions?
 
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