For the last couple of weeks there has been a kitten showing up on my porch several times a day. Not for sure if he is a stray or belongs to one of the crazy neighbors that I have. I have been feeding him when he shows up and he always eats like crazy. He is a total love bug. We will be moving at the end of the week and I am seriously thinking of taking him with us. The people that live in the neighborhood right now are totally nuts. This little one showed up the other day with a white stripe painted down his back. ( I finally got it off). I did adopt a 4 year old female cat (spayed) about 4 weeks ago. Right now she is kinda stressed what with all the boxes and commotion going on with trying to move. I am just worried that adding another cat right now will just stress her out more. But am just sick about what will happen to this little one when we are gone. I would love to hear any suggestions on what would be best for me to do. Pack this little one up with me ( after a vet visit) and take him with us. Or would it be better to just leave him. Do you think that adding him to the house would just cause too much stress for my current cat? He is a male and would be neutered very soon. I think he is about 10-12 weeks old right now. And as soon as we are moved I will make the appointment for his neuter. Sorry for such a long post but I am so torn and am just searching for some feedback. Our new house is pretty big and plenty of room for everyone. Thanks in advance for any help that anyone can give me. He is a tabby cat with four white feet and a white bib.
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Should I or shouldn't I?
- Thread starter lora9584
- Start Date
whats your feeling about this little one? do you think he is more likely a stray or owned by a neighbour? can you find out if he is owned by a neighbour?
I personally would say pack him up and take him with you - but thats easy for me to say as I am on the other side of the world and not going through this with you.
I personally would say pack him up and take him with you - but thats easy for me to say as I am on the other side of the world and not going through this with you.
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I would say take him. Sounds like you will feel really guilty if you don't.
Also sounds like he is in a bad environment right now. As for your neighbors, why do they think you are nuts? Many people have more than one cat, it's not like you will have a 100.
Also sounds like he is in a bad environment right now. As for your neighbors, why do they think you are nuts? Many people have more than one cat, it's not like you will have a 100.
You need to make sure he isn't owned first before you take him on. Walk around the neighborhood and ask if anyone has a tabby kitten. If he isn't owned...make sure he sees a vet and is tested for FIV/FELV and is brought UTD on shots before you introduce him to your current cat.
Katie
As Katie said, absolutely make sure he isn't owned first. Laws very quite a bit, but taking someone else's companion animal is a felony in many places. In addition to checking with your neighbors, check with your local animal control or shelter to see what steps are required in your area to ensure he's actually a stray. In some places it's as simple as feeding him for three days, in others it requires notifying the local animal control authorities, advertising and posting fliers, and there are considerable variations in between. As long as you follow the local requirements (and DOCUMENT IT!) you should be fine.
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A felony? Had anybody anywhere ever went on trial for taking in a cat they found on the street?
I sincerely doubt that those laws are enforced, and if cat roams on the street without any identification, is this cat even considered someone's companion animal?
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Any cat found wandering could be someone's lost pet. Just check out all the lost pet ads nationwide and you will see that there are many heart-broken cat lovers who are actively searching for their pet.
There are also those cats unfortunate enough to get dumped for being a nuisance- for "spraying, scratching, crying, being in heat" For many number of reasons.
Strays should be scanned for microchips and ads searched to see if anyone has lost a cat. Just because a cat is wandering doesn't mean it is a stray.
There are also those cats unfortunate enough to get dumped for being a nuisance- for "spraying, scratching, crying, being in heat" For many number of reasons.
Strays should be scanned for microchips and ads searched to see if anyone has lost a cat. Just because a cat is wandering doesn't mean it is a stray.
You should try to find out if the kitty belongs to someone. It could be lost, or maybe the owner is letting it be an outdoor kitty, and even if you don't aggree with the way it's being looked after, its not right to take it without knowing for sure that it is a stray. If you are unsure about the honesty of your neighbors, just ask or post notices regarding a lost cat, but don't put a description. When a potential owner trys to claim it, have them describe the cat and bingo you will know if they are the owner, then you can give them a piece of your mind on how they are treating this poor little kitten. Just because the kitten has no collar and is out alone, it does not mean it is a stray or neglected. It is possible that he ran for the door and got out. For all we know the owner could be looking for it. My kitten has attempted it many times, and is not always wearing a collar. I have foiled all of his escape attempts, but if he was to get out, I would be heartbroken if someone just took him. This happened to my SIL, her kitten got out when it was 3 months old, she looked everywhere for him with no luck. A year later she saw her in her neighbors house 2 doors down, sitting in the window and she swears that was her kitten, it had all the same markings, just bigger. When she confronted the neighbor of taking her cat, the neighbor just denied it. Of course she couldn't prove anything. If no-one claims the kitten, then finders keepers, and I am sure you will give this kitten a great home!!!!Good Luck.
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- #10
Well I did go around the neighborhood last night to the homes that I felt safe going to. No ones is claimining to own him. The one house that I didn't go to got busted by the cops for drugs while I was out walking. I don't think he belongs there ( according to the lady that lives next door to them). One lady said she has seen him around the neighborhood for several weeks and has put food out for him also. Of course it was raining all day yesterday and I have not been able to find him. One house that I stopped out said no he does not belong here and we have some antifreeze that is going to make sure he doesnt stay here. So now I am desperate to get him out of this neighborhood. If he shows up today I am bringing him in and will take him with me. I will contact the local animal control and let them know that I have him and also post signs before we leave. I just don't feel this is a safe place for him. I will make him a vet appointment to be checked out but will wait on the neuter for a little while to make sure that no one claims him. This town is awful and I can not wait to move on Thursday!!! You would not believe some of the comments I got while walking. One person actually told me that if they saw him maybe there rottie would like a snack as she hates cats and will kill them on site. I have to leave for work in a little while but hubby said last night that he will keep an eye out for him and call me when he shows up. How long after I advertise him as found should I wait before I get him neutered if no one claims him? I want to get it done as soon as possible but guess I need to make sure that he doesn't belong to someone first. Thanks for all of the replys and suggestions. If anyone knows a good way to introduce two cats I would appreciate it. I have had multiple cats before but guess I was lucky as I just brought the new one in after a vet visit and they lived in peace with the current one.
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I hope it's not too late for him. He shouldn't be allowed out at all, considering. I hope he comes back so your can keep him inside.
And considering the way your neighborhoud is, it sounds way to risky to go home to home asking people if they know who owns the cat.
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Even if he run out of someone's home, sounds like he could become dog meat at any time if already didn't.
Having the new potential owner go around her neighborhood asking about this cat is also risking her life.
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- #13
Well he showed up last night and is now inside. When he did show up he was so hungry and a lot more skittish that I have ever seen him. He is know laying with me on the recyliner and kneeded my shirt. Once in a while he actually starts suckling on my shirt. Does anyone know why he may do that? He has calmed down once I got him inside and immediately began to play last night with a feather toy. I will be posting notices at the vets office and will contact the lady that does animal control for the county to report that I found him. I don't really think anyone is going to claim him though. I did see people over a couple of blocks yesterday while I was moving boxes in the truck and they did not know anything about anyone missing a kitten. Does anyone know of a good way to introduce two cats. I will keep them seperated until after his vet visit and then will start slowly.
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Kneading and suckling is a comfort behavior.
Good to know he showed up and is now inside.
I was so happy to read he is inside and safe now! People can be so mean, I don't understand how anyone could wish harm on a kitten
Introduce the cats slowly, letting them smell each other first through a door. When I introduced my two new kittens to my five year old male I was so nervous, but he was calm and collected and just sat their and watched them. How he plays with them.
Keep us updated, Great Job
Introduce the cats slowly, letting them smell each other first through a door. When I introduced my two new kittens to my five year old male I was so nervous, but he was calm and collected and just sat their and watched them. How he plays with them.
Keep us updated, Great Job
what wonderful news!!!
YAY!! YAY!!
he is surely going to be safe now
here is a link to introduce cats but I think the most important thing to remember is - take it slowly and have lots of patience.
we will all be here supporting you and encouraging you all the way
YAY!!
YAY!! YAY!!
he is surely going to be safe now
here is a link to introduce cats but I think the most important thing to remember is - take it slowly and have lots of patience.
we will all be here supporting you and encouraging you all the way
YAY!!
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- #18
Well we are all moved, and believe it or not the cats get along great. I had intended to introduce them very slowly but I had George ( what a name) the new kitten shut up in the bathroom while we were moving and Mia shut up in the bedroom. Well George got out of the bathroom and ran to the bedroom and just started crying the most pitiful sound. So I opened the door and no problems at all!! Once we got moved to the new house you would have thought they had been best friends forever. I woke up this morning to two dogs and two cats in bed with me!! Can't think of a better way of waking up on a Saturday morning. My persian had been so skittish before the move that I was so worried about her. But George has seemed to calm her down so much. It is like he gives her courage because he is not afraid of anything. Thank you all so much for your support with this. You made a decision that I needed to make so much easier. We are now out of that awful neighborhood and George will never be outside again. He seems to know that he is home. Thanks again. I am going to contact the animal control lady from this county and see if there are any funds to assist with his neutering and also try and find out when the neuter scooter is coming close to my area again. Once I have everything unpacked and actually find my digital camera I will try and post pictures of the cats.
That is wonderful news
I'm going to the next neuterscooter with one of my kittens where are you in Indiana? They will be here (Newburgh) in Sept/Oct it is cheaper if you pre-register with paypal it is only $40. That includes all vax and Rabies with the neuter .
I love your new babies name
I'm going to the next neuterscooter with one of my kittens where are you in Indiana? They will be here (Newburgh) in Sept/Oct it is cheaper if you pre-register with paypal it is only $40. That includes all vax and Rabies with the neuter .
I love your new babies name
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Great news!
