Cat advice needed, possible lost cat or feral?

[crispini]

So there's a new kitty in town. He's been hanging around my back porch for a couple of weeks and I've been giving him handouts. He's a Siamese, and he's very interested in the house and in my cats -- always looking in the window and being social. However, he's very skittish and runs away when I open the door. Am I right in thinking that he's probably someone's pet because he's Siamese? It seems like there wouldn't be that many feral Siamese? He looks to be the real deal, blue crossed eyes and all.

I'm planning on borrowing a trap and catching him, sometime in the next few days, and taking him in to see if he has a chip. He has no collar and I don't think he's fixed. The question then becomes, what do I do if he's not chipped? I have three kitties and don't really want a fourth. Would it be wrong for me to just get him snipped and let him be a back yard cat? I prefer to keep my kitties inside, but based on the way he's acting it would be hard to socialize him. I mean, he's been around two weeks, and he still runs away when I open the back door, even though by now he must know I'm bringing him food.

Thoughts?

[MissB]

1. My personal opinion

is that it would be great if you could get him snipped and vaccinated. If you can't officially keep him inside, then let him be a backyard cat. Your biggest issue would be vaccinating him yearly, but you can do that at home (feed stores sell vaccines and you can easily google up how-to's on the internet).

Be patient - I had a feral cat here last summer that took me months to get close to. He doesn't come around much, but when he does he comes right to me. Patience was a big thing with him. He likes to snuggle up on my lap if I sit on the porch.

[crispini]

3. Thanks, that's good advice! nt

[GoneOffShore]

2. See what happens after you trap him

He might just be skittish because he's been living outside for awhile.

Best case scenario is that he's chipped. Is there a Siamese rescue org near you? They could help.

[crispini]

4. Oh, excellent idea. I'll check into it right away. nt

[malta blue]

5. My ex and I got a Siamese back in 1994 who was a "barn cat"

that someone brought to my ex's sister's clinic (she's a vet) and just left there.

He is still quite skittish. I go to my ex's house probably 3 times a week to pick up Little MB, and I have seen the cat once in 6 years.

I would say get him snipped and vaccinated, and depending on your weather - just let him be outside if you don't mind doing that. He will start feeling more comfortable around you the more you feed him...

Good luck and thank you for taking care of him.