I need some help, please

[Sophiegirl]

A little over a week ago, a kitty showed up at my house. My home backs up to some woods, but this is no feral cat. He/she is sweet, but obviously has had to make it's own way for several weeks now. Right now, I'm outside on the screened porch freezing, where it has stayed during the evenings. Right now, this kitty is curled up between my legs...all warm and cozy. Me, on the other hand...pretty darned cold!!!!

We have raccoons that visit us on a regular basis and rather than have them break into our houses, my neighbors and I have created a raccoon compost bin. All our scraps go out to the bin. Otherwise, we have issues with them trying to break into our homes looking for food. Ain't no getting rid of them. Best to mitigate the outcome, ya know. They aren't going anywhere.

This kitty showed up about a week ago and defied those coons. Hungry, scared and pretty defensive. It's calmed down a lot since I've taken him in.

It appears that this kitty, who I call "Scavenger" is either a lost cat or one that has been kicked to the curb. We are trying to find the owners.

I have two adopted kitties who are about four years old. Scavenger is pretty scared of other animals and growls at the sight of the them.

If I can't find the owners, and I don't want to risk having him put down at a shelter, how would I integrate him into my home? Both my rescue kitties have grown up together. He/she is an unknown.

Beyond taking Scavenger to the vet to rule out any health issues, what can I do? It is getting cold here in VA. I'm so worried over what to do.

Any suggestions?

[Fridays Child]

1. Is there a reputable no-kill sanctuary nearby?

Can you fix him up with a little box house and blanket for the night?

[Sophiegirl]

4. He has a warm spot to sleep in

On our screened porch away from the elements. I've set up a box (damn funny how cats love cardboard boxes) and a space heater for the time being. I know of a couple of no-kill shelters, but if I can't find his owners, I just can't stand sending him off to a shelter. I'd rather try to get him acclimated to my home. Even my hubs, who freaks out about the raccoons, is the one who wants to find a way to keep him if we can't find his owner. He fixed up the "cat-cave" for the little guy.

[Fridays Child]

7. I totally understand.

You've made a great spot for him. I have a box kitty and a sink kitty. Cats are so funny.

While he's still outside, maybe you can start desensitizing him to your other cats through behavior modification, by introducing him to the scents of your other cats. Feed him a yummy treat, each time you expose him to their scents.

[Sophiegirl]

8. Good idea

I wanted to try that but wasn't sure how go about it. I have an idea now. I'll use one of my kitty's fav cardboard boxes (heaven forbid we toss them in the recycle bin). She likes to curl up in it when the sun shines into it. I'll use that to start with.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. Scavenger clearly knew where to go...kitties find us when they need us, and/or we need them...

I can't tell you what to do, but one idea - have the kitty checked out. If you are OK with adding a cat, slowly introduce him/her to your other 2 - it can take time (probably some good resources - Google around). Time will tell....we've introduced kittens into our house - we now are 2 big chocolate labs and 3 indoor cats and peace rules...but it took time.

If it doesn't work out, then craigslist ad to place the kitty locally in a good home - or find a no kill shelter to help kitty find a good home...

good luck!

[applegrove]

3. I introduced a kitten to a fully grown cat by putting the kitten behind

a closed door for a few days. That way they could smell each other, the kitten would stick her paws under the door to play, and the curiosity turned it into a positive relationship for the two of them. When I opened the door, they were friends. You might try that.

[Sophiegirl]

5. Thanks

These are all adult cats, but I'll try anything right now!

[Freddie]

9. This worked when we got a kitten

Kept Riley (kitten) in a closed bedroom w/food, water and litter box for a few days. Put Freddie's food dish next to the door so he could smell the kitten and they could play w/paws, plus he associated something good (food) with the kitten. 2 years later they are best friends.

[Sophiegirl]

25. I have done this.

Put kittie food on both sides of the door to help them get used to each other's scent. We'll see how it goes.

Wish us luck.

[Sophiegirl]

6. Right place, right time

I knew I would get some good advice here.

Thank you all.

[TorchTheWitch]

10. Good suggestions here

I'd say do what you can to help the kitty since it shouldn't be abandoned to the weather and without food, shelter or care. Go ahead and take the cat to the vet to see if it has any problems or parasites or anything that needs medical attention and if it's something you can easily afford get that dealt with should anything be required.

In the meantime I guess you can put up fliers around the neighborhood with the cat's photo and see if that gets any results. I have a feeling though that no one is going to be claiming the poor dear. If you're inclined to keep the cat than introduce her to your household in whatever way is sensible. I've not had any experience in such a situation and only ever had one pet of my own at a time, but it looks like some very good advice here from others already.

If you don't feel you can keep the cat, try your local vet clinics. Ours has a book filled with info on various pets needing homes, and lots of times the staff at the clinics will have someone willing to take the kitty in. You can probably also put up "Free to Good Home fliers in local pet food and supply stores as well. The place I usually get my dog food has a whole wall next to the cash register announcing pets needing homes and they got lots of responses.

Best of luck with this kitty, and you're a good egg to care for it.

About the racoons... get together with your neighbors to make a pool of money to get some predator urine to keep the raccoons away. According to the site that sells various predator urine it's coyote urine you want...

http://www.predatorpee.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LE&Category_Code=COON

Works just like nature intended.

[Sophiegirl]

15. I got some of that in the mail today.

I hope it works. Stink to high heaven.

[TorchTheWitch]

16. I first heard of this when one of my neighbors used

some kind of predator pee to keep the squirrels off his porch since they chewed up the cushions of their porch furniture. Worked like a charm. When he first told me I thought he was pulling my leg, so when I looked it up on the internet I was astonished to find it was true. Makes perfect sense though. I just never imagined that anyone would actually be selling the pee of various predators.

I can imagine how gross it must smell. But if it works - and I really think it will - it'll be worth it. Raccoons may be really cute but they can be devil beasts.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you! I really think it will work though.

[Sophiegirl]

21. Ewww!!!

Put this stuff all around the backyard. OMG!!!!!!

The smell is driving us indoors. Hope the raccoons have the same idea...to vacate the area!!!

Stinky doesn't even describe it!!!!

[BillyRibs]

11. Get yourself a Styrofoam cooler, The kind that the Omaha Meat or Neutra systems ships in.

the Lid is Thick, Heavy duty, and can support the animals weight. cut a hole in the lid large enough for Scavenger to crawl into. Turn the cooler over with the lid in place stack it on a few bricks so he/she can have space enough to crawl inside, a towel or some rags would be a nice addition. stack a weight on top of the shelter (the bottom of the box) so it won't tumble over and their you have it an insulated shelter you won't have to heat. the Cat will heat it with body heat. You can also put a litter box on the porch and Get Scavenger used to family living.

[TorchTheWitch]

13. That's really clever

Insulated and everything!

[Auntie Bush]

18. Now that's what I call a good idea worth trying/using.

[ginnyinWI]

12. A visit to the vet should come first, because

You will want to check him for a microchip. He could well be someone's lost pet.

You also want to rule out deadly or serious diseases before bringing into your home and around your other cats: FIV and FeLV.

You also want to make sure he isn't bringing in any fleas or ticks. And have him neutered if he isn't already.

Then-- if you have the all-clear, bring him in and gradually introduce to your other cats. Good luck, and thanks for opening your home to another little life. Most shelters have all the cats they can handle already. It might turn out to be one of the best decisions ever to keep this little one.

[Sophiegirl]

14. Appt made

We are going to the vet at 11:45 today.

I gave Scavenger a tick/flea treatment right away.

I'll update y'all when I find out more.

Thanks everyone.

[Sophiegirl]

17. UPDATE: Good news, good news, but news...

....that seriously pisses me off.

Scavenger did have a chip. The vet's office did a search and found the owner. She told them she didn't want him. So, he's a boy. His name was Prince. He is four years old.

Although she was told he was an indoor kitty, she said he didn't like to be indoors, so she let him outside and he "wandered away." IN JULY!!! I'm throwing the BS FLAG.

She didn't bother looking for him. She didn't report him missing and she has since moved. That is unforgivable in my book. She should be criminally charged. Why do neglected dogs, horses, etc. get all the law enforcement attention?

His vaccinations were overdue by a couple of months so she must not have had him long. I just hate people like that!!!

The chip info has now been transferred to my name.

The vet staff seemed relieved that I chose to keep him. What would any humane person do in a case like this. I suppose someone else might take him back to a shelter to be bounced around to other unknown, potentially neglectful "owner!" NOT ON MY WATCH!!!

So now, "Prince," as he was called, has a new forever home. He'll never be turned out again and his last outdoor experience has ended as of today. I got him vaccinated and all the other tests came out clean. Still have to get a stool sample to check for parasites.

So now, I can work to integrate him into his new family. Starting with the laundry room. It's a big room with lots of places to explore. We'll get there. It will take a while, but since I'm not working until January, I have plenty of time to help the transition.

I left a message on hubbies phone about him. So cute.... He stopped at the pet store and bought a bed, food bowls, snugglies and a collar. And he was never a cat person until i adopted my two other kitties.

I ordered a tag with his name and our phone #s in case he makes his way outside by accident. He has survived for quite a while outside and may try to get back out there. He's learned to be resourceful in that respect. But he will acclimate.

BTW....I will still call him Scavenger.

Thank you for all your advice and encouragement. He won't be a cold, unloved and discarded kitty anymore.

And, I have to say this....a what a cold-hearted bitch she is to discard this kitty. She should be turned out into the cold to fend for herself for months on end and potentially starve to death or worse.

Sophie

[Curmudgeoness]

22. So glad all is well and you are keeping him.

I also hate people like his former parent, if we can call someone that cold-hearted a "parent".

You might want to bring that box that he was using into the laundry room so there is at least something familiar for him. Good luck with getting the old cats and Scavenger used to each other. From what I have heard, that is the way you are supposed to do it.

[Auntie Bush]

19. Congratulations for your new kitty.

It was fate that Scavenger found his forever home. You and your husband are good people.

[Sophiegirl]

20. Thank you.

I can't even imagine someone abandoning a domestic animal like he was. First: I makes me angry; second, it makes me sad; and third, I could never turn my back on him.

Thank you all for your support. Now onto the hard part. But worth the effort. It will take a while, but we'll make it through this tough transition.

[ginnyinWI]

23. What a heart-warming story with a happy ending for Scavey!

Some people think cats are like tissues--disposable. "It's just a cat!"--you know the type. Well, I volunteer at a no-kill shelter and socialize cats every week. I take their pictures for our website. That means taking maybe a dozen pictures or more of each cat to get three good ones, so I spend at least three more hours at home editing and uploading. And I foster kittens: I currently have three nine-week-olds due to go back next week, as well as two of my own at home. For me, it's not "just a cat"--cats are a big part of my life and my contribution to the world. They are something that brings happiness to people, so it is doing something the cats and for people too!

But this person has that attitude. You can just throw them away, because after all they know how to take care of themselves in the wild, blah blah blah. Hah! What chance has a kitty got against traffic, predators, disease, and cold weather? Not much.

You've done us all proud, Sophiegirl. I'd have done the same thing, most likely!

We would love to see a picture of him when you have time.

[Sophiegirl]

24. I'll try

Hubbie is a semi-professional photographer. As soon as Scavey is comfortable...which he has certainly made himself...we will take some photos.

We put him in the laundry room last night with his box, a snuggly blanky, food, water, litter box, etc. Today I carried him up to our bedroom and let him explore. (He let's me pick him up.) He decided to pick a spot in the closet to curl up in and slept most of the day. Must have felt great to sleep without being constantly on guard all the time.

Took him back down to the laundry room tonight where he has found his own snuggle-up place (not in the box, surprisingly) and is happily snoozing away.

One of my kitties is desperate to meet him. She sat at the bedroom door trying to get in and even brought one of her toys with her to share. Now, this kitty (Jessie) is the most docile cat you'll ever meet. Sofie, on the other hand, isn't about to show any interest. That's just how she rolls.

They'll adjust. I'll spend the next several days getting them used to their smells and begin to slowly introduce them to one another.

I guess at some point, I'm just going to let them hash it out on their own. But not just yet. Scavey needs some time to get used to feeling safe first. Though he doesn't seem too concerned about much of anything today. Other than napping.

Again, my thanks to you all for your advice and support. The Styro-cooler idea is genius, BTW.

[ginnyinWI]

26. a few ideas:

When you start to introduce, block the door so that there is only an inch or so open and they can see each other. They can also play pawsies if they want to but nothing more. That will give you a better idea of what will happen when they actually get together. Your amiable cat will probably do fine with the new cat.

I introduced two female cats into our household where there was already an older calico. It took four months for them to work out a deal! The new two were upstairs for a few months with their own litter box and food, until they gradually got up the nerve to come downstairs and see that the calico was really just a cat, and not a dragon or something. And the calico wasn't very open to being friends--seems to be true of the breed. So they never really became close, but agreed to share space and eat together. Females have the hardest time with new females because they are territorial, even when spayed. Male to female should be easier.