Need advice fast!

Hey guys,
I need some advice about a cat, fluffy gray/white that showed up in my yard last night - lounging on the picnic table, no less. It's friendly enough, but I haven't been able to pick it up to check whether male or female or it's fixed.
Seems pretty well cared for. I put out some food and water last night and figured if it was a neighbor's pet it would make its way home. It was still out there this morning. Outside cats are very rare in our neighborhood because our side street is between two busy streets and most people keep their pets in.

It's too early to go knocking on doors to find out who this cat might belong to and I have to leave for work in an hour. I know it doesn't belong to any of my closest neighbors. I'm debating whether or not to lure the cat inside until I have more time to ask around, make flyers, etc...I can keep it separate from my cats - so that's not an issue. I just hate the thought of leaving the cat outside. Traffic is a real concern.

So, what do you think? Actually, I've pretty much already decide to bring the cat inside. I'd feel better about this if you guys would agree with me, though!

Bring it in, put posters up after work, etc.

I agree that it would be best to bring kitty indoors for the meantime. Once you get back from work you can get going with the knocking, posters etc.

Keeping kitty safe is the priority really and I'm sure that the owners would be pleased that you kept their little wander out of harms way!

I agree that you are doing the right thing by bringing the kitty inside. Look for its owners later, if it is indeed owned by someone.

I agree, at least it will be safe while you are at work and you can try to find out who it belongs to later.

Well that was easy! Thought I'd have to lure the cat with food or even trap her, but she (looks like she's fixed) let me pick her right up and carry her into the house through the garage. Got her into a carrier and she's now in my spare bedroom. She's stressed out, but friendly. Took some pics that I'll post when I get to work. Will post flyers and start asking around when I get home. Will also get her to our vet to see if she's microchipped.

yep, bring him in

Originally Posted by eilcon

Well that was easy! Thought I'd have to lure the cat with food or even trap her, but she (looks like she's fixed) let me pick her right up and carry her into the house through the garage. Got her into a carrier and she's now in my spare bedroom. She's stressed out, but friendly. Took some pics that I'll post when I get to work. Will post flyers and start asking around when I get home. Will also get her to our vet to see if she's microchipped.

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Great! Can't wait to see the pics. What name are you calling her in the meantime?

Here's the lovely young lady that was briefly in my care this morning.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/eilcon/DSCN6934.jpg

Turns out she belongs to a guy in the apartment building next door. He's the building manager and has actually done some odd jobs for us. I knew he had a cat, but didn't make the connection. I ran into him as I was leaving for work and mentioned the cat. He said she was missing for 3 days! Her name is Come Here and she's about a year old. He's had her for 10 months.

Further investigation underneath the fluffiness revealed that she hadn't been spayed. He's on a fixed income and hasn't been able to afford to have it done. So, I've made an appointment for her on Fri. under the low cost spay/neuter program we have with our vet. I'm hoping she's not already pregnant. Her owner is under strict instuctions to keep her inside until then.
He's a really nice guy who genuinely cares about his cat. He just got careless.

I wish all our cat situations worked out this well. Now, I better get some work done!

glad it all worked out

Hurrah! It all worked out!

It's a relief to get home and know my little visitor is safe and sound at home too. I hope I didn't come across as being indecisive or hesitant about taking her in. I was just pressed for time this morning and actually more than a little surprised to find her hanging out in our yard. I've lived here for four years and this is the first time I've come across a cat in our neighborhood whose circumstances I was unsure of.

Thanks to everyone who responded so quickly and for all the support. I'll post an update after our vet visit on Fri.

Originally Posted by eilcon

It's a relief to get home and know my little visitor is safe and sound at home too. I hope I didn't come across as being indecisive or hestitant about taking her in. I was just pressed for time this morning and actually more than a little surprised to find her hanging out in our yard. I've lived here for four years and this is the first time I've come across a cat whose circumstances I was unsure of.

Thanks to everyone who responded so quickly and for all the support. I'll post an update after our vet visit on Fri.

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I knew you would take her in whether we posted or not.

It's just human to want reassurance.

i did the same when i found a kitty in my yard-even tho it had a collar. *shrugs* i just like to be safe rather than sorry. she was a sweet little white and tiger striped girl, and her tag said her name was "Serra". she walked right up to me, i picked her up and petted her, then brought her inside and put her in the computer room, and called the number on her tag. The woman answered and i asked if she had a cat-said immediately that the cat was fine but i just wanted to know where she lived in case the cat was lost. turns out she lives two houses away from me! she said "was she in your yard? im really sorry about that", and i told her no problem, she can hang out in my yard anytime. my yard gets more sun than most of the other backyards on this block, and has a concrete patio that gets nice and warm in the summer, and Serra likes to come lounge on it. i see her every few days i actually ended up having a nice little phone chat with the woman-she'd tried to keep Serra in, but she'd cried so pitifully to let her out that she finally relented. I worry about Serra tho. i know her so well now, i always stop and scratch behind her ears when i see her. she's very wily tho, hopefully she knows how to take care of herself when she's outside.

the point of this very long and meandering story, is that i always err on the safe side

Originally Posted by eilcon

Hey guys,
I need some advice about a cat, fluffy gray/white that showed up in my yard last night - lounging on the picnic table, no less. It's friendly enough, but I haven't been able to pick it up to check whether male or female or it's fixed.
Seems pretty well cared for. I put out some food and water last night and figured if it was a neighbor's pet it would make its way home. It was still out there this morning. Outside cats are very rare in our neighborhood because our side street is between two busy streets and most people keep their pets in.

It's too early to go knocking on doors to find out who this cat might belong to and I have to leave for work in an hour. I know it doesn't belong to any of my closest neighbors. I'm debating whether or not to lure the cat inside until I have more time to ask around, make flyers, etc...I can keep it separate from my cats - so that's not an issue. I just hate the thought of leaving the cat outside. Traffic is a real concern.

So, what do you think? Actually, I've pretty much already decide to bring the cat inside. I'd feel better about this if you guys would agree with me, though!

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Well I'm late with my opion But you did right for sure

Yay! I love happy endings! She came over for some treats, and ended up getting treated to a spay!

Originally Posted by clixpix

Yay! I love happy endings!

She came over for some treats, and ended up getting treated to a spay!

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I love your way of looking at it!

She's so pretty! I'm pleased that you're able to help the little girl!

I know he was so happy that someone really caring ended up taking care of his baby!

Originally Posted by ms_joshica

I know he was so happy that someone really caring ended up taking care of his baby!

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and Eilcon found the answer to his financial dilemma about getting her spayed talk about a bad situation turning out to have a happy ending!