Stray Cat

[RLC12345678]

When we moved into our apartment in May, there was a stray cat that would lurk right outside our door. Our neighbors told us that the people that lived here before us owned this cat, but just left it when they moved! It is ALWAYS outside our door, so we started feeding it. It used to be VERY skittish, but since we've been feeding it (and I call it an "it" bc I have no idea whether it's a boy or girl) it has become very friendly. Everytime I walk out my door it runs up and rubs it's body up against my legs It even likes Hobbs & Hootie! It will just lay there and let them sniff it.

So, my question is, what should I do with it? I am a little hesistant to let my dogs too close to it because I'm sure it hasn't had any shots lately. I really want to take it to the vet to get shots, flea & heartworm prevention, and really call it our own, but I KNOW it will not let me pick it up and take it anywhere. My biggest fear...what will happen to it when we move out?!

So, what do you think? What should I do? I really want to help it and give it a good life and keep it, but how?

[Hickey007]

You could try to coax it into a pet taxi/travel cage thingy. I think that if its become friendly there's a good chance that once you catch it that it will eventually calm down and just go with it. You could also just try to keep feeding it and petting it. Moving your hand closer to the belly and picking it up just a few inches for just a bit then putting it right back down, then eventually increasing that. Maybe try to set the cat on your lap even.

The only thing is depending on how old it is, you may want to try and speed up that getting to know each other phase. If its a female, well you know what can happen, I think starting around 6 or so months.

If it were me and you haven't made it your own and/or don't take it with you when you move, I would go ahead and call either the humane society or a rescue group when you move. At least that way its not running around making more kittens, and has a chance at finding a home. Good luck. I love my cats so I say try to keep it, I can't imagine not having a cat....

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by Hickey007

You could try to coax it into a pet taxi/travel cage thingy. I think that if its become friendly there's a good chance that once you catch it that it will eventually calm down and just go with it. You could also just try to keep feeding it and petting it. Moving your hand closer to the belly and picking it up just a few inches for just a bit then putting it right back down, then eventually increasing that. Maybe try to set the cat on your lap even.

The only thing is depending on how old it is, you may want to try and speed up that getting to know each other phase. If its a female, well you know what can happen, I think starting around 6 or so months.

If it were me and you haven't made it your own and/or don't take it with you when you move, I would go ahead and call either the humane society or a rescue group when you move. At least that way its not running around making more kittens, and has a chance at finding a home. Good luck. I love my cats so I say try to keep it, I can't imagine not having a cat....

Thanks so very much for your reply. I will definately try these tactics. I will be living there until next summer, so I really think that by then I can get it to trust me enough to pick it up. I always give him/her some of Hootie and Hobbs' liver treats. It really likes those! It just eats them right out of my hand and purrs. Since I know it likes those, maybe I can use those to coax it into a carrier. I'll let you know what happens.

I really want to make it an inside cat. Do you think it would ever scratch Hootie or Hobbs' eyes? That is the only thing I'm worried about. Whenever Hootie and Hobbs go up to it outside, it doesn't run away...they just all sniff each other. Also, if I make it an inside cat, do you think it will still go to the bathroom outside? I don't want to deal with the litter box deal. I wish it were like a dog and would just go to the door whenever it needed to go outside. Any chance that would happen?! My friend's cat does this...that's the reason I'm asking.

[cindy0721]

I have had a cat before and still do and they are the best of friends.... it used to let Gizmo chew on its ears..... it was so funny.... His name is Tommy.. I would try to pick it up... I really dont think it will hurt you ...

[Ponyup]

I would suggest putting on leather gloves & when it gets close grab it & put it in a cage or taxi. It'll be fine. It might struggle, but you should be able to keep a hold of it. We have lots of stray cats @ the farm & it was always my job to grab them so my grandpa could give them shots. You just have to be quick...no hesitation. You can do it.

[Jenn218]

Okay, FIRST - if you are wanting to keep it, I would take it to the vet and have everything done - I mean EVERYTHING - have it tested for everything, shots for everything, fixed, you name it. Your furbabies come first and you want to make sure they don't catch anything - which, you sound like you know this, but I'm just saying what I would do first.

To catch it, you can leve a carrier out and open and put a can of tuna in the back of it (they love tuan or even the juice from it). Once it there, gently pet it and close the lid. I would take him right then to your local vet.

Most stray cats, are friendly....funny, but they are. Most cats are very affectionate and love to be loved on. So, once you get it cleaned and taken care of, it will probably fit into your family in no time. Plus, chances are it was house broken at one time, so it should have no problems with that.

Regarding your Yorkies, I think the cat will end up being a loyal friend to them and probably even a protector of them. Out of all the cats we have had (no longer because we finally figured out that my husband and I were allergic to their fur/dander), they got along with Mojo extremely well. They would let him nibble on their ears, vice/versa, etc.

We live in the country, so you can imagine how many cats/dogs get "dumped" out here - so sad. This might sound bad, but our two outside dogs that we have now, won't let anything come on our land - so that is good for us, I guess.

Oh, one more note....here, if you call the animal shelter/service, they charge $25 for picking up or for you to drop off a stray animal! Crazy!

[Hickey007]

We have two older cats and a kitten just showed up about 4 weeks ago, so now we are up to 3. Reagan gets along with the kitten great. Its been great for her, of course she's an only pup(inside at least) so its either play with the kitten or noone. The older two just kinda tolerate Reagan. They don't really play with her that often, one is about 10 and the other is about 3 (we got her about a year before Reagan). Neither play with Reagan but once in a blue moon. Reagan will go up to them and "give them kisses" and occasionally they will swat at her but you can tell they aren't trying to hurt her just tell her to get away. They don't even use their claws and most the time don't actually touch her.

The kitten would be my only concern about hurting Reagan, only because she may do it unintentionally. She hasn't yet, though. Although she never really swats at Reagan its more of a jump on her back and go for a ride. They play great together actually. They are constantly running through the house, jumping on all the furniture. They rarely quit chasing one another. The new kitten, which is still nameless actually, has really been great for Reagan.

Honestly, I think that, at least in our case, the cats aren't really going to even try messing with Reagan they would jump to something high if she was bothering them. I guess its easier to jump onto a chair than get in a fight.

As far as the litter box, I guess it depends on the cat. We put in a cat door, if you have a sliding door they have doors that work with those, may be something to consider, and all our cats go outside to use the bathroom. Before we had the catdoor, the cats were still indoor/outdoor cats and would prefer to go outside to "go", one would use the litter box occasionally but the other never. Even with the catdoor they will sit at the front door and wait for us to let the out(they're so lazy). If you have any plants you may want to even try to cover the dirt up for a while, one of our cats would go there before he would a litter box. I think that once they get used to going outside they tend to prefer it, but I don't know for sure. My hair stylist has a cat who prefers a litter box so.... I love the fact of not having a litter box, so I know where you are coming from. I have a friend who is constantly telling her hubby that you can't tell we have animals unless you see them, I credit the catdoor and outside pottying. It really is the best thing we've put in our house.

With the shelter, if you do choose that, check with yours. I'm in Tuscaloosa and there's no fee for dropping off, maybe picking up don't know. But we took a dog in a while back and there wasn't a fee. I'm sure that depends on your area and your local shelter. That is kinda crazy though Jenn, 25 dollars for dropping of a stray. I think its kinda going to deter some people from bringing them in and just make them drop them off on the side of the road(not saying your wrong, just agreeing its crazy).
Sorry about the novel.....

[RLC12345678]

Oh thank you SOOOOO much for the information!!!! I REALLY REALLY appreciate you taking the time to tell me all this stuff. Our neighbors that live in the apt next door to us also feed the cat and they have mentioned taking it with them when they move. I am 100% sure, though, that I could give it a better home. I know that they won't take it to the vet. They have a dog that they don't even take to the vet....they give it all its shots themselves! Which is fine, but animals need to see a trained professional every once in awhile, IMO.

The more Hootie and Hobbs are around the cat, the more comfortable I am about having them all together. Hootie and Hobbs just run up to it and wag their little tails and sniff it and stuff and the cat literally just sits there and lets them do whatever. It has never once swatted at them or anything, which is good! If the cat isn't outside my door when I come out with the dogs, sometimes the cat will see me from across the yard and run up to Hootie and Hobbs. I actually think it kinda LIKES them!

I think when I take Hootie next Tuesday to get her shots, I am going to ask the vet how much it would cost to bring the cat in and get shots and tested for everything and such. I am hoping she'll give me a break since it is a stray that I'm taking in. If it is not outrageous, then I am definately going to adopt it. If it is too expensive, then I am just going to let our neighbors have it, but encourage them to give it all the necessary treatment it needs. I'll keep you updated on what I decide to do! Thanks again for all your help!

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by Hickey007

You could try to coax it into a pet taxi/travel cage thingy. I think that if its become friendly there's a good chance that once you catch it that it will eventually calm down and just go with it. You could also just try to keep feeding it and petting it. Moving your hand closer to the belly and picking it up just a few inches for just a bit then putting it right back down, then eventually increasing that. Maybe try to set the cat on your lap even.

The only thing is depending on how old it is, you may want to try and speed up that getting to know each other phase. If its a female, well you know what can happen, I think starting around 6 or so months.

If it were me and you haven't made it your own and/or don't take it with you when you move, I would go ahead and call either the humane society or a rescue group when you move. At least that way its not running around making more kittens, and has a chance at finding a home. Good luck. I love my cats so I say try to keep it, I can't imagine not having a cat....

Great idea. I hope you're able to catch the little cutie and keep it.

[RLC12345678]

I found this picture on the Internet, but this is EXACTLY what s/he looks like! Isn't s/he beautiful! I just love black cats for some reason, especially long-haired ones! It also has white paws and a white chest just like this one!