A few winters ago I started seeing cat footprints on our porch each morning. Around Thanksgiving I felt sorry for the cat (we live out in the woods, so this was certainly a stray), so put out a dish of food. Each evening an orange cat would visit our covered porch and eat the entire contents of the dish. Eventually we made friends (after about two months) and he became our outside kitty (we had five cats inside at the time, and didn't want to upset our delicate balance). We made him a bed, gave him a covered shelter, and each evening I'd cuddle him under a blanket.
Last winter we took a two week trip, and out of worry for this orange cat (we named Tippy McWetwoods) we took him to a kitty resort where he'd be safe, warm, and fed during our absence. When we returned and picked him up, we found him chilling out in a kitty condo, looking cool as a cucumber. So on our drive home we decided to see if he'd like living inside our house with our other cats.
Guess what? Tippy McWetwoods is happily sleeping on our bed at night, not causing any fights, going outside when he wants (much shorter adventures these days, as it's cold outside!), and is fully integrated into our home and hearts.
Cheers to all of you who take time, energy, and money to help stray kitties (and dogs, etc.) find homes!
Last winter we took a two week trip, and out of worry for this orange cat (we named Tippy McWetwoods) we took him to a kitty resort where he'd be safe, warm, and fed during our absence. When we returned and picked him up, we found him chilling out in a kitty condo, looking cool as a cucumber. So on our drive home we decided to see if he'd like living inside our house with our other cats.
Guess what? Tippy McWetwoods is happily sleeping on our bed at night, not causing any fights, going outside when he wants (much shorter adventures these days, as it's cold outside!), and is fully integrated into our home and hearts.
Cheers to all of you who take time, energy, and money to help stray kitties (and dogs, etc.) find homes!