dh has found a kitten and says it is up to me whether to keep it

[lummox]

We went for a walk today and a kitten felt out of a hedge in front of us. We were in a really deserted place with no houses anywhere near.

The cat was almost emaciated and followed us three miles home (with a bit of encouragement from dh)

It is currently asleep in our kitchen and dh wants to keep it. We have a six month old ds and it was very gentle with him - even when he was grabbing it and trying to eat it.

DH says it is up to me whether to keep it.

Has anyone ever kept a stray? Did it work out?

[expatinscotland]

Yes. Twice. Worked a dream.

[aloha]

I would. My beloved childhood cat was a stray that followed us home lured by the smell of fish and chips. She was a very gentle and dignified ginger tabby who lived to a very old age and was really a lovely cat.

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn

[expatinscotland]

Currently in residence in our home are our two lovely strays: Smokey, the purebreed Persian found wandering around Berwick upon Tweed; and Pepsi, the black and white, adorable female found on a rough estate.

[charlietherednosedpussy]

I have a big fat stray called charlie who landed on my doorstep very small and very skinny over 5 years ago now.
He wouldnt go away and as the weather got colder I couldnt shut him out and hes still with us now.
Once when accidently lost in town he somehow found his way back to our house, about 3 miles away. And when my mum had him while we were moving he would escape and sit in the brambles till I came.
I was pregnant and worried too. But it was fine.

[Mothernature]

it was lost it was found if you keep it... just get it checked over by the vet to make sure its ok after its ordeal....bless its little paws....I didn't find a kitten but did once find a puppy just before christmas, now is the time they get turfed out as people cant be bothered when they are getting ready for christmas....

[Carmenere]

Aww it's fate you have to keep it!!!

[Lonelymum]

Yes we took in a stray who had been maltreated and we found sheltering in our garage at a time when we alredy had two oldish cats. He was always nervous all his life, but he was the sweetest natured cat imaginable and very dear to my heart. Your kitten sounds cute and not likely to have been maltreated in the same way as our cat was. I do hope he gets a loving home soon even if not with you.

[dinny]

oh keep it, keep it, keep it. it's chosen you as its people. ah, how lovely.

[sunchowder]

It was fate! All of mine have been strays and they have worked out beautifully...

[lummox]

It is very beautiful - a kind of smoky grey/blue colour. I do really want to keep it.

Lovely stories - thank you. Make me think there is something romantic about it following us home.

On a rather more practical note, is there any way to improvise a litter tray until tomorrow?

[roosmum]

sounds totally gorgeous

(you have to keep it, you know...)

how about some old newspaper, pref put on something waterproof??

[Enid]

yes. Marmalade. she was lovely. She died five years ago

[Lonelymum]

For the litter tray, how about cutting down a cardboard box and lining it with a polythene bag and then filling it with garden soil. Or can you get to a tesco as they have litter trays and litter for sale?

[expatinscotland]

A shoebox w/sand will work as a tray. Or a box w/newspaper, even.

[charlietherednosedpussy]

Soil and cardboard box.

[expatinscotland]

It's supposed to get so cold, too!

Around this time, 18 years ago, FIL went to visit his dying father. In the stair was a ginger kitten. FIL gave him a stroke, then went to visit his dad. When he came out, the ginger kitten was still there. It being a cold Scottish Autumn, he knew the cat would freeze if left there all night.

So he took him home.

'Noel' is alive and well all these years later!

[lummox]

Thank you - think we will go for soil and cardboard box option (we live in France so the Tesco option not really open).

I think I knew I wanted to keep it, but am getting more and more certain.

Is Porto a silly name?

[roosmum]

boy or girl?

why porto?

[Lonelymum]

That is great. what colour is it? Boy or girl?

[expatinscotland]

Porto's a brill name! I love it.

[lummox]

dh thinks a boy, but I haven't looked yet (to be honest not sure if I would know by looking unless it is obvious?)

porto was just a thought. not really sure why.

[lummox]

it (he?) is smoky bluey/grey