I am adopting a stray cat
 

He lives in my neighborhood so I've decided to let it in the next time he comes around meowing for food. What things do I need to know? Has anyone ever adopted a stray?

will you let me in if I come around asking for food?

Hint #1: No cat is ever adopted. You are being adopted by a cat.

Hint #2: Please consider getting it neutered, but NOT declawed!!

He-who-owns-the-damned-house-but-pays-no-rent (read: my cat) was apparently a stray... Apparently his previous owners dumped him and left him to fend for himself when I was living in Sacramento (feral cat capital of America) seven years ago. And yes, he adopted us.

Little bastard eats us outta house and home but we love 'em to death. :D

What she said!

Remember: Dogs have owners cats have STAFF

Congrats on adopting a stray! I got adopted by 2 kittens (abandoned)

Also, what Alpha Sig said: Thelma and Louise eat me out of the house and home, but I love them

get a flea comb

From a Cat Mom....
 

Your very FIRST stop before you bring the kitty inside needs to be to a veterinarian for tests for feline AIDS*/ feline leukemia*, a fecal test for worms, vaccinations, general exam, and de-fleaing.

Spay or neuter this cat as soon as your vet advises, to avoid spraying/ scent marking around the house.

When the kitty comes inside, put him/her in one room with litter box on one side, food & water on the other side. Keep the kitty there for a few days. Cats have a need to explore their entire surroundings at one time. If they have TOO much space to investigate at one time, they can get VERY nervous.

* These diseases are different illnesses than the human varieties and are completely non-contagious to humans. There is a combination test for these diseases. Kitties CAN have some worms that can infest people, and of course fleas are the "guests that never leave" so be sure that no little friends come in with the kitty!

Re: I am adopting a stray cat
 

That is going to be the highest cat ever.

Be sure you have plenty of kitty chow on hand for his late night munchies.

KS 361

ditto to all said earlier...
may i add....love him a bunch and talk to him. kitties understand more than you think.

Congrats on being a new parent!
 

Lots of love and water at all times is what your little one will need. Everything everyone has send to this point is right on! Make sure you decide if you want the cat to be an indoor cat only or if you are going to let it come and go as he pleases.


What did you name it???

Re: Congrats on being a new parent!
 

It's awesome that you are taking in a stray. Everyone has given such good advice.

Absolutely. But my experience with strays is that it's pretty hard to force them to be indoor-only when they haven't been used to that. My family has had a cat for 11 years now that we took in as a stray when he was a kitten. He is super friendly, but he HATES being kept in the house. He likes to come inside occasionally (like when it's really cold or rainy), but gets quite upset (and destructive) if he doesn't get let out when he wants to. I have a friend whose cat is the same way. If you value your possessions and your sanity, please do not try to force the kitty to stay inside permanently if he doesn't seem to want to. But of course it's entirely possible that he may not show any desire to go back out :)

Re: Re: I am adopting a stray cat
 

No kidding. This kittie will get the kind catnip.

Name it Marley
 

Billy Hey Dude, You are a stray Tom Cat unto yourself!:D

You will never control a Pussy Cat, let alone a female member of the Species of women hood!:(

Well, get used to it now! Then look down the road of life.

Oh, please use some sense, common or not.;) :p

Tom Jones, Hello Pussy Cat OOOOOOOH, OOOOOOOOH, AAAAAAAH!:D

Re: Re: Congrats on being a new parent!
 

It can be hard, but it's definitely possible. Xochitl was a stray when we got her (and knocked up as well, the little whore ;)) and got used to never going outside. She escaped once but came back the next day.

Of course whether or not to let your cat outside is a personal decision, but in my opinion it is much too dangerous for cats to be wandering around outside by themselves.