Am I out of my mind?

I found an adorable white and black kitten yesterday. I recently adopted a cat named Natasha who is just now settling into her new home and getting used to her new sister named Viola. Do I really bring a third cat into this mix?

This little girl (about 6 months old I think) came right up to me on the street and then followed me halfway to my home-I got her some food and then another woman from the neighborhood (a self proclaimed "cat lady") took her home with the intention of getting her to the vet and spayed. She is so friendly and sweet.

What's your opinions, how difficult will this transition be? Should I just try to find her another home?

I had three cats before- I had to put my two older ones to sleep within a month of each. (Long story-it's the reason I found this terrific site)

Pros/Cons-Am I crazy to attempt this? What do you all think?

Cynthia

Well... it sure sounds like this kitty CHOSE you. If you believe that such things happen for a reason, gosh... why fight fate? :-)

Cynthia..before anything..you need to have this cat checked by a vet to ensure it is healthy. After a clean bill of health...you can then consider acclimating this new cat into your clan.

Let us know how it goes at the vet.

Katie

I agree, vet first and then make sure the introductions go slow. Anytime you bring another cat into the mix you create an unbalance in the harmony the cats have established.

Originally Posted by hissy

I agree, vet first and then make sure the introductions go slow. Anytime you bring another cat into the mix you create an unbalance in the harmony the cats have established.

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I think she is at the vet right now, this woman I meet was going to take her there to get spayed and tested FIV/AIDS, FIP etc.

And I do believe in cats picking you-but I'm just wondering how much chaos can I put both my resident cat Viola and the newbie Natasha( who is just now calming down and acting like a normal cat instead of a scared crazy cat) through. To say nothing of this sweet little street girl. Even tho she doesn't seem to be afraid of anything. She went right in the carrier no fuss , even a dog passing by didn't bother her. Sigh!! I guess I just have to decide once I find out if she's ok , no diseases and such.

Cynthia

I think it's fine, just do the introduction properly.

BTW, I would advise against the FIP "test" since it doesn't actually test for FIP. It tests for feline coronavirus, which mutates into FIP about 5% of the time. 75-80% of all cats have the virus and 95% of them never get FIP. So there's definitely no need to spend the money on the test or to deny a home to a truly healthy cat on the basis of the test results.

Originally Posted by semiferal

I think it's fine, just do the introduction properly.

BTW, I would advise against the FIP "test" since it doesn't actually test for FIP. It tests for feline coronavirus, which mutates into FIP about 5% of the time. 75-80% of all cats have the virus and 95% of them never get FIP. So there's definitely no need to spend the money on the test or to deny a home to a truly healthy cat on the basis of the test results.

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Didn't know that, thanks. That's why I love this site.
I haven't heard from this woman who took her to the vet yet. How long does it take to get test results back?

Cynthia

I currently have 2 inside cats, and foster one other. I have decided that mine are happier when I have 3 cats, so once I get a foster who can't be adopted out, I will adopt it. I just think 3 gives everyone another buddy. (And Garfield has someone besides Festie to pick on! LOL!)

awww.. the cat your talking about reminds me of my cat hunny bunny. she sort of decided that I should love her and I took her with me from the country to be a city cat in an apartment...


Then she had babies and now I have three kitties cause No one wants a free female kitten that isnt spayed I guess. So I guess I never got to worry aobut my cats liking each other cause they are family

Well, one cat gets lonely. Two cats are just fine. Three cats takes a few weeks for them to all settle down, but then you never have to worry about getting a cold lap.

I finally heard back from this woman who took her to the vet to be spayed and unfortunately she tested positive for FIV so I can't expose my other two cats. I feel so bad for this poor little girl. The vet thinks she is about 3 yrs old she's so tiny I thought she was a kitten. This woman is going to kept her, she has room to isolate her and I'll try to find her a home by herself.

Cynthia

Consider there might be a home that already has one FIV-positive cat, that might like a playmate. This is what my vet suggested when a brought in a litter to foster that tested positive.
As it turned out, two went to their forever homes together, and the others tested negative for FIV at 9 months. (Kittens of an FIV-positive mother can test positive from her milk for over 6 months.)
Since FIV is passed primarily in bites, I took a gamble in keeping the last kitten of the litter, since all my cats seemed to have accepted her and she showed no signs of being prone to bite.
That little 3-year-old was doubtless a pet of people who let their cat out, where it got FIV from another cat's bite. How fortunate that kitty found you and your "cat lady"!

I'm so sorry. I'm glad she has a place to stay, and I hope she finds a happy home.