How safe is it for my cats?

stampit3d · Sep 16, 2005

Recently I`ve found a male cat siting on my front porch when I get up in the mornings (no collar ...and none of the neighbors seems to know anything about him).....he appears to be healthy enough....just starved for affection more than anything else.
He`s a very sweet cat....and I don`t mind him coming around...but I don`t plan (at this point) on taking him in. I really can`t afford another cat right now.
My question is.....how safe for my 2 cats is it that I spend time petting this stranger? I do wash my hands before touching my cats...and if he rubs against me I change my nighty as soon as i come back in the house. (That`s what I always have on that early in the AM)
My cat`s have had the shots that the vet recommended for "INDOOR" cats....but is there anything that this stray could pass on through my touch....or am I just being overly protective???

hell603 · Sep 16, 2005

You are not being over protective - just a good mom. I think you are doing the right thing by washing up and changing your clothes. Can't think of anything else except for saything thanks for giving this little guy some love in his live.

stampit3d · Sep 16, 2005

Thanks Hell603.....I just wish I could afford another kitty (mainly vet bills for leuk test, shots and nuter) right now....I`d surly take this sweet kitty in! He`s such a little lover. I`m not feeding him, as i don`t want him to rely on me....he does`nt look or act hungry at this point...so either he is a MIGHTY HUNTER ...or someone else is feeding him. If , as colder weather gets here, he acts like he is needing food, then , of course I`ll do that....and have my hubby build him an insulated cat home for being outside to protect him from the cold....but I can`t bring him inside with my 2 "boys"....don`t know of anyone in the southern Michigan area that is looking for a "Sweetie" do you??? :-)

coaster · Sep 17, 2005

Ditto the other post above. You're taking reasonable and prudent precautions.

jcat · Sep 17, 2005

He may very well have a home nearby, and is just looking for a "home away from home", as some cats do. We sometimes feel that every cat in the neighborhood ends up in our yard, which is probably because of the catnip plants. Could you take a photo of him and print out "Is this your cat, or is he homeless?" sheets to put in neighborhood mailboxes? I've found that neighborhood kids are a good source of information about suspected stray cats, as they're often outdoors playing or walking to school (bus stops), and tend to notice animals. Your precautions sound just fine. The only thing I'd add, because it was recently discussed on another thread, is not to wear the shoes/slippers you wear outside while in contact with him around the house.

stampit3d · Sep 17, 2005

Thanks for the GREAT idea. I can do the poster thing. It would be good to know if he did really have a home nearby. (You`d think they`d have at least a collar on so that people would know he belonged to somebody!)
I have a couple pair of washable slippers that i wear out on the porch...and I just slip them off at the door and throw them in the wash with the nighty . Good point though....I don`t know what mine might catch from this cat....but whatever it might be ...I don`t want them to!!!

dawnofsierra · Sep 17, 2005

Good for you for being such a protective Mom and washing up so well before having any contact with your babies after touching your new friend!

catgal · Sep 17, 2005

Same thing is happening here!! Two strays, both male, have been hanging around here for about a year now. They looked really skinny so I decided to start feeding them not that long ago. Well, needless to say, they are sticking around even more. One is really pitiful...half his tail is missing, his ears are singed from frostbite, he's really skinny and he has a really sad looking face. He is also starved for love and affection because he meows, purrs and rubs against me when I go outside. The other one is a scaredy cat and does not come near me.
I am also being cautious. I try to prevent him from rubbing against me and wash my hands and change my clothes as soon as I come in the house. Can never be too careful.
At the moment, I don't know where they sleep but I will be getting the cathouse out of the storage shed for them because winters are really cold up here.
They WILL remain outside though because I have enough inside.
Wish you luck in finding the kittys' home.

tnr1 · Sep 17, 2005

Originally Posted by Catgal

Same thing is happening here!! Two strays, both male, have been hanging around here for about a year now. They looked really skinny so I decided to start feeding them not that long ago. Well, needless to say, they are sticking around even more. One is really pitiful...half his tail is missing, his ears are singed from frostbite, he's really skinny and he has a really sad looking face. He is also starved for love and affection because he meows, purrs and rubs against me when I go outside. The other one is a scaredy cat and does not come near me.
I am also being cautious. I try to prevent him from rubbing against me and wash my hands and change my clothes as soon as I come in the house. Can never be too careful.
At the moment, I don't know where they sleep but I will be getting the cathouse out of the storage shed for them because winters are really cold up here.
They WILL remain outside though because I have enough inside.
Wish you luck in finding the kittys' home.

Catgal...if you know they are strays...you may also want to treat these 2 males to a quick trip to the vet to be neutered. It is healthier for them and they won't create any litters of kittens if they are fixed.

Katie

catgal · Sep 17, 2005

Originally Posted by TNR1

Catgal...if you know they are strays...you may also want to treat these 2 males to a quick trip to the vet to be neutered. It is healthier for them and they won't create any litters of kittens if they are fixed.

Katie

That did cross my mind because they are marking their territory and the smell is really annoying.
Unfortunately, right now, we cannot afford to have two more cats neutered. In the last few months, alot of things have been going on with a few of my indoor cats and the vet bills have cost us quite a bundle.
I decided to care for them because they have been hanging around here anyway and I do not like seeing animals hungry.
If they are still around later on and our finances are better we will definitely see about getting them fixed although I doubt I will ever be able to catch the wilder one.

How safe is it for my cats?

stampit3d

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hell603

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