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    Featured Member Starling's Avatar
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    Default Adopting stray cat

    Since I moved I noticed a stray cat that would wander around nearby around the same time of day when I'm sitting on my deck with my little dog.

    A week ago I saw it outside so I put some food out for it. He came to greet me and ate it, and he actually came up and let me pet him and scratch under his chin, and one day he even came to my door and would meow. I realized this cat is definitely not feral and have been considering adopting him, and I asked around and he is not owned by anyone.

    The other day my little dog saw him and escaped and chased him, and now he is not trusting of me at all, even though I keep the dog inside most days he comes around. He still comes around the same time of day, every day because he knows I will bring food. I'm sad I lost his trust and am trying to regain that trust.

    Nowadays, he likes to perch on my deck after eating, and he'll eat if I'm nearby, just apprehensive. He will hiss if I get too close. He's here right now, he'll hang around for a couple of hours and then he'll go when it gets dark. He'll sit like 3-5 feet away if we're both sitting on the deck together. I'd like to make him part of the family, but if I can't earn his trust I am thinking of at least doing a capture-neuter-return if my county has that kind of program.

    How many of you have managed to successfully adopt a stray?

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    God/dess Selina M's Avatar
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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    My fiancé did that. He just kept putting food out for this cat, and it eventually trusted him to where it would come inside. He'd let it out and the cat would disappear all day or night, but he always came back. While he named it (Oppenheimer... hahaha), it became kind of "He's not really MY cat, he does his own thing, but he stays with me sometimes".

    So yeah. I guess keep putting food out and being kind to it. If you do bring it inside, make sure he doesn't have fleas or something. I'm guessing you don't have any other cats, but if you intended to get another, you'd need to make sure this one had no feline diseases. I think it's FIV (AIDS for cats) and feline leukemia that are contagious.
    "People jack off with the left hand and point with the right."

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    ^Oh yeah, if I can get this cat the first trip will be to the vet to get a physical and all his vaccines.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    I hope you can get him to trust you again! I always worry about animals wandering around, I know cats do that, but it concerns me, all the viscious ppl out there, not to mention raccooons etc.


    MANY MEN WANTED TO LAY ME DOWN, BUT FEW WANTED TO LIFT ME UP

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Go for it! He's probably just an abandoned pet, not feral.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Yes, I used to be an active cat resuer, trapper and a foster mom. Let me know if you have a specific question about what you should do.

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    Featured Member Starling's Avatar
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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Quote Originally Posted by Selina M View Post
    (Oppenheimer... hahaha), it became kind of "He's not really MY cat, he does his own thing, but he stays with me sometimes.
    That's a good name haha! You're right, I do not own any cats. I was content with my dog, but if this cat is looking for human companionship and a home I will try to give it a home.


    Quote Originally Posted by whirlerz View Post
    I hope you can get him to trust you again! I always worry about animals wandering around, I know cats do that, but it concerns me, all the viscious ppl out there, not to mention raccooons etc.
    I hope so too. It will probably take a lot of time. There's quite a few stray and feral cats in my neighborhood. This one had obviously been in fights, he's got some battle scars.


    Quote Originally Posted by SnuffleUffleGrass View Post
    Go for it! He's probably just an abandoned pet, not feral.
    Not feral at all, he must have had human contact before he lived outdoors. I see him in daylight and he tends to hang around residential areas.


    Quote Originally Posted by Nyla19 View Post
    Yes, I used to be an active cat resuer, trapper and a foster mom. Let me know if you have a specific question about what you should do.
    I don't know where to start. How soon should I try to get him inside and transition him into a pet, and can a stray outdoor cat truly become a housecat? In case we move around in the future and don't have a big enough yard later or something.

    He's also got his family jewels, and the first thing I was thinking of doing if I successfully get him used to being around the house or trapping him was getting him neutered.

    Here is a picture of the cat:

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Awww! Thanks for the pic! Doing some painting lately, lol.


    MANY MEN WANTED TO LAY ME DOWN, BUT FEW WANTED TO LIFT ME UP

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Hehe yeah, the walls were ugly and there's a lot of work that still needs to be done.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Quote Originally Posted by Starling View Post
    How many of you have managed to successfully adopt a stray?
    Most of mine are either strays or abandoned; see the pet photo thread for my "band of brothers." Some were shy for a couple days, but came around pretty quickly when they realized there was food.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    I "adopted" my cat Squeaky Jones like this. She was a kitten, probably about 8 weeks old, when she started coming to my backyard for food. I guess she had been weaned, but I don't know where her Momma was. I kept putting food closer and closer to my back door and finally I put the food in my house with the door open. She came in to eat, I closed the door, and she's still here 13 years later.

    She has gotten friendlier and friendlier over the years, but she has never become like a hand raised kitten, that is completely open and comfortable with people. She is a pretty happy cat these days ( that means spoiled ).

    I'll try to put a pic up tomorrow.

    Anyway, if you want to adopt the kitty, and feel you are able to, than go ahead and do it. Outside cats, even if not feral, do not have long life spans. Inside cats that are loved, can live a long time.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    He wants human companionship as well as food. The cat will eventually come around, as long as the dog is not around outside again. If he wants in the house for food, he will know the dog is there.

    Mine was a stray and he became a great and affectionate companion. Just a gray tabby, but he took to me with some hesitation right away.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    First of all, he's adorable. My first question is, is it possible that he already has a home because you wrote that you don't see him at night? I think you need to find that out. Second, since you're able to get close to him he's not feral. Are you able to pet him at all? Is he very skinny and scruffy looking? Does he meow a lot like he's lost or misses someone?

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    If you take him inside the house, you to do proper introduction to your dog.

    Keep them in seperate rooms for 2-3 weeks. Give the cat your dog's blanky or toy, same for the dog. They have to get use to each other's scent for a while before meeting in person.

    Good luck. Keep us posted.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    I adopted a stray........my ex's brother found a momma cat who had had kittens and he kept an eye on them till they were 8 weeks and gave me one. 3 years later she's the princess of the house, ridiculously spoiled, and very well adapted

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Someone mentioned getting him fixed. Yes, do that! And if you can, get him chipped too.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    You don't adopt cats, they decide to let you serve them. This is one is merely taking his time to figure out if you are worthy of his/her presence.

    If you can catch him/her, get them fixed & shots, provide food on a regular basis you are being a good person. It is up to the cat whether or not they want to let you serve them permanently. Anyone who lives with a cat knows who is the decision maker & boss in that relationship.

    Mine, picked me out 12 years ago. He spends half his time outside & inside. Goes for long walks with me, up to 2 miles, leaves presents at the door for all my neighbors in the building, raised some baby possums, has brought me 5 lost dogs & 3 cats in the middle of the night, helped me find 4 lost pets when neighbors asked me to help them look and slaps all dogs into submission if they don't obey him from the start. If friends show up, but forgot what building, he finds them & leads them to my door. Cats bless up with their friendship, not the other way around.

    Smooches,
    Sam

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    D'aw, he's a cutie!

    Skittish/wary cats often feel safest when they have vertical dominance. If you could give him a place to climb up to shoulder/head level, he may feel safer around you and consent to lovins again. You could also try a toy with him. Mine LOVE this one: http://www.amazon.com/Luxury-Feather...s_2975306011_4

    Cats also feel threatened by direct eye contact. It's better to soften your eyes and gaze in the direction of their ears and blink slowly at them--it's like a feline "I love you." If he slow blinks back, then you know he thinks you're pretty chill too.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    I've adopted three stray cats but they were all abandoned kittens when I got them. One of them didn't survive as he was abandoned by his mother too young and one I had to give up to a shelter program as the vet bills were too insane and they offered to cover them if I would give up ownership. The third I had for five years but when I moved he refused to move with me and I had to give him to a neighbour.

    I never had problems with any of them but they were kittens and so were much easier to take in, if this cat is a stray and has never had an owner then he is used to being on his own and you may struggle, but it seems like he is beginning to trust you and is considering moving in, so I would just continue to wait and let him make the decision. If you pounce on him too quickly he will run away.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Quote Originally Posted by R-209 View Post
    Most of mine are either strays or abandoned; see the pet photo thread for my "band of brothers."
    They're all cute and the dog too. How'd you get them to all look like they get along?


    Quote Originally Posted by Nyla19 View Post
    First of all, he's adorable. My first question is, is it possible that he already has a home because you wrote that you don't see him at night? I think you need to find that out. Second, since you're able to get close to him he's not feral. Are you able to pet him at all? Is he very skinny and scruffy looking? Does he meow a lot like he's lost or misses someone?
    I asked around and he is not owned by anyone. I did notice and it was confirmed that the neighbors occasionally leave scraps, so the cats around here know there's food around sometimes.

    I was able to pet him the first day and for the first couple of days he would actually come up to my door and meow. But since my little dog escaped and chased him, he still comes around but is very wary of me, so he'll eat and hang around about 3 feet away from me.

    While his fur was relatively clean looking, when I stroked his back I noticed he was kind of bony. I think his fur hides how skinny he actually is.


    Quote Originally Posted by Vyanka View Post
    If you take him inside the house, you to do proper introduction to your dog.
    Fortunately I do have a spare bedroom to keep him in as his own little space if I brought him in and wanted him to adjust.


    Quote Originally Posted by absolutelyadorable View Post
    Someone mentioned getting him fixed. Yes, do that! And if you can, get him chipped too.
    Yeah, if I absolutely can't make friends with this guy or he prefers being outside or part of a colony I've considered doing the catch-neuter-return some places do so he'd at least have some vaccinations and prevent more homeless cats.


    Quote Originally Posted by tuesdaymarie View Post
    If you could give him a place to climb up to shoulder/head level, he may feel safer around you and consent to lovins again. You could also try a toy with him. Mine LOVE this one: http://www.amazon.com/Luxury-Feather...s_2975306011_4

    Cats also feel threatened by direct eye contact. It's better to soften your eyes and gaze in the direction of their ears and blink slowly at them--it's like a feline "I love you." If he slow blinks back, then you know he thinks you're pretty chill too.
    I actually tried getting him loosened up a little with catnip, and he sniffed it but he is not receptive to kitty drugs it seems. Where I sit to have my coffee there is a fire escape stairs so he's more than welcome to come head to head level. And oh yeah, I don't do direct eye contact too, and he does do the 'kissy eyes' after he eats and sits nearby.


    Quote Originally Posted by audrey_k View Post
    I would just continue to wait and let him make the decision. If you pounce on him too quickly he will run away.
    It certainly seems that way!

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Okay, from what you've told me he's definitely not feral. And since he's a bit skinny and meowing at your door it does sound as though he had a home at one point. He was either abandoned, lost or ran away. Since he's friendly enough that you can pet him, I'm sure he will get friendlier over time. And you can start putting the food closer and closer to your door. I guess you just have to make a decision. Do you want to keep him? Or, just foster him and put up lost signs and see if someone is looking for him. He would be considered adoptable if you dont want to keep him because hes friendly. Do you think it's safe for him to be around your dog? Is it possible that your dog will hurt him? Since you've found him, there are many vets and organizations that will have discounts for his vet visit. And to get him fixed.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    If you take in the cat, maybe you can get a trainer to teach your dog how to behave around the cat.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Quote Originally Posted by Starling View Post
    They're all cute and the dog too. How'd you get them to all look like they get along?
    They actually do! They are truly brothers. I can't explain why they get along with the dog so well. The cats actually groom the dog. It's like something from a Disney movie.

    I actually tried getting him loosened up a little with catnip, and he sniffed it but he is not receptive to kitty drugs it seems.
    Try Valerian tea bags. I got some to help me sleep, but it has the opposite affect on cats. If I brew a cup, they surround me and will actually try to steal the bag directly from the cup! Recently, I came home to find that they had opened the cupboard door and stolen the entire box.

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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Quote Originally Posted by tuesdaymarie View Post
    D'aw, he's a cutie!

    Cats also feel threatened by direct eye contact. It's better to soften your eyes and gaze in the direction of their ears and blink slowly at them--it's like a feline "I love you." If he slow blinks back, then you know he thinks you're pretty chill too.
    I've been doing this instinctively for years! Maybe I is part cat???!!!
    Tiny tweaks----->BIG CHANGES

    Quote Originally Posted by Kirakonstantin View Post
    More fear-mongering? Really? Yes, this is not the 1990's anymore. Yes, things are changing. Either dance or don't. Freaking out and sowing fear isn't going to help anyone.




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    Default Re: Adopting stray cat

    Quote Originally Posted by Selina M View Post
    "He's not really MY cat, he does his own thing, but he stays with me sometimes".
    Doesn't that describe most cats?

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