Unplanned new dog -- how to handle?

Last year I saved a dog from being euthanised and asked an animal shelter here to help find it a home. They found a home but after a few months the guy gave the dog away, and when we tried to check on the dog at its new home, the guy sent us to 5 different false addresses. At last, we have told him if he doesn't produce the dog this week, we will start legal proceedings as the shelter has a contract saying he cannot give the dog away without their inspecting the new home. Well, the shelter is expecting a batch of puppies and can't take the dog back, so I said I would keep him until we can find another home. He is a fox terrier mix -- actually much larger than a terrier -- and I am concerned about the safety of my cats, who enjoy our little enclosed yard where i will have to keep this dog. Any thoughts on how to introduce them safely? How will I know if it's safe to let them cohabitate?

Some of these should help you out

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Cat.html
http://www.littleshelter.com/library/cat_meet_dog.htm
http://www.homevet.com/petcare/petmeet.html
http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanageme...troducedog.htm
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/catintr...0cat'.html

Hope those help

What happened with this guy, Lee? Whereabouts did the dog end up? People like that make me want to scream!

I have no idea. What a little creep. We will get a lawyer on this if he doesn't produce the dog today. Of course I am thinking the worse, otherwise why would he keep lying?

Personally, I'd not let the cats into the area with the dog, till you can safely decide if the dog is ok with cats. Best to keep the dog on a leash when you introduce.

A lot of terrier types will chase (and sometimes kill) cats, so be careful. Maybe invest in a muzzle for the dog till you find out the reaction. And also clip all of your cats nails so no one gets hurt.