Hi,
New to the site and forums and I hope I have posted in the correct section.
We have two cats, one is a three year old neutered boy who we rehomed for a friend about a year ago, the other is a nine month old neutered boy who was a planned addition to the family. The pair get on well, they don't sleep together or groom each other but they love to play and are greet each other in a friendly way (unless the treats are out and then older boy hisses at the kitten who steps back and waits his turn politely).
About two weeks ago, I saw another cat, whom I shall call Visitor, sat outside the back door watching the cat flap. Kitten saw it and rushed out to greet Visitor and they trotted off down the garden together like best mates.
Fast forward to now, Visitor is at our house most days and nights. Kitten and Visitor seem to be inseparable, Older Boy isn't so keen and tolerates Visitor with the odd hiss if Visitor comes too close. Visitor seems friendly towards us too but is still very shy and flighty, to the point I'm not able to tell gender or check over for fleas or injuries. He/she is on the small side and skinner than my two, also a little dirty. Nowhere near as bad as some of the local strays though.
I have advertised on local cat lost and found and also on Facebook to try and trace Visitors owner, with no luck. Sadly I don't live in the best area and there are a high number of strays, never one so bold as Visitor which makes me think he/she may have a home and isn't a long term stray, or on the other hand may have been desperate for shelter, I just don't know.
Now I'd be happy to offer Visitor a home here but at what point do I put him/her through the stress of a vet visit to check for a microchip? Obviously if I can trace the owner I really want to, they may be really worried about their kitty! But if I can't I'd want to flea, worm and arrange neutering if it's needed.
I have owned cats all of my adult life and have never been in this position, we haven't encouraged Visitor but I can't bring myself to chase him/her off incase there is a genuine need for this cat. Obviously Kitten adores Visitor, Older Boy has started spraying so I've ordered a refill for the Feliway we used when we introduced Kitten as I'm conscious he is stressed.
Any advice or thoughts much appreciated!
New to the site and forums and I hope I have posted in the correct section.
We have two cats, one is a three year old neutered boy who we rehomed for a friend about a year ago, the other is a nine month old neutered boy who was a planned addition to the family. The pair get on well, they don't sleep together or groom each other but they love to play and are greet each other in a friendly way (unless the treats are out and then older boy hisses at the kitten who steps back and waits his turn politely).
About two weeks ago, I saw another cat, whom I shall call Visitor, sat outside the back door watching the cat flap. Kitten saw it and rushed out to greet Visitor and they trotted off down the garden together like best mates.
Fast forward to now, Visitor is at our house most days and nights. Kitten and Visitor seem to be inseparable, Older Boy isn't so keen and tolerates Visitor with the odd hiss if Visitor comes too close. Visitor seems friendly towards us too but is still very shy and flighty, to the point I'm not able to tell gender or check over for fleas or injuries. He/she is on the small side and skinner than my two, also a little dirty. Nowhere near as bad as some of the local strays though.
I have advertised on local cat lost and found and also on Facebook to try and trace Visitors owner, with no luck. Sadly I don't live in the best area and there are a high number of strays, never one so bold as Visitor which makes me think he/she may have a home and isn't a long term stray, or on the other hand may have been desperate for shelter, I just don't know.
Now I'd be happy to offer Visitor a home here but at what point do I put him/her through the stress of a vet visit to check for a microchip? Obviously if I can trace the owner I really want to, they may be really worried about their kitty! But if I can't I'd want to flea, worm and arrange neutering if it's needed.
I have owned cats all of my adult life and have never been in this position, we haven't encouraged Visitor but I can't bring myself to chase him/her off incase there is a genuine need for this cat. Obviously Kitten adores Visitor, Older Boy has started spraying so I've ordered a refill for the Feliway we used when we introduced Kitten as I'm conscious he is stressed.
Any advice or thoughts much appreciated!
