Taking in a stray cat...advice please.

[CheeryCherry]

Has anyone done it successfully? Long story but pal of mine has been feeding her for 6 weeks, a family moved away and have left her behind.
Want to take her in, will need to get her neutered...but how do I introduce her to our home? We have 2 cats who are fairly laid back (they let the neighbours cats eat their food!) but am worried she will be so confused she will run away. How long should I keep her indoors? Am hoping it won't turn into a disaster but she is so sweet and friendly I want to give it a go.
Any advice gratefully recd.
Will be off to bed soon so sorry if I don't reply til tomorrow.

[valhala]

You're an angel and the world needs more like you! Most cats will eventually accept a newcomer even if after a week or two of spitting and stropping and if yours are pretty chilled then it should be easier still.

I'd recommend at least a couple of weeks of keeping her in with a litter tray, maybe more. I hope that you can accept that if she isn't used to a tray you may start out with a few accidents but if you put her in it shortly after etig/when she looks like she wants to go and thoroughly clean any area where she has an accident with one of the shop-bought solutions for the purpose so it clears all trace of the smell that you can no longer catch but she would be able to she will soon get the hang of it.

If your neighbours left her to her own devices for all of those 6 weeks she will probably be so grateful for a warm loving home and regular food that she will be happy to come back to you when she does go out and won't go far. To help with this, get her spayed asap to prevent the urge to wander looking for a mate.

I took in a beautiful cat under simila circumstances some years back and didn't regret it for an instant. She would rarely go further than the garden, so glad was she to have a home havig been thrown out on Xmas day in the snow and having to fend for herself for 9 months, I later discovered, until I found her. Her favourite trick was to sit on the bay windowsill in the sunshine and talk to people who came to the door almost as if she was asking them to let her in!

Good luck, I am sure that you won't have a problem. This is one very lucky cat and you deserve a huge pat on the back for your kindness.

[valhala]

Sorry - keyboard playing up. I meant to say "If you put her in it (litter tray) shortly after EATING"!

I think you'll get what I meaant with the other typos despite my keys not wanting to work!

[lilacpink]

My parents took a friendly stray in, he lived a happy life for around 20 years and our other 2 cats took to him within a month (well ok, they did play-fight, but not 'real' fighting). I would take him to the vets ASAP to check general health and have worming tablets given! Pick up front-line too, v.bad year for fleas according to vets (have had to frontline my cat every 4 weeks for last 5 months). From having several 'rescue' cats, I think it was suggested to keep them in for 4-6 weeks, then let out gradually (when he's hungry and put his cat litter in garden - cues to come back).

Hope it all works out well

[TimothyTigerTuppennyTail]

Make sure she has her own tray and your other cats don't use it (at least for a little while).

Fuss, fuss, fuss and more fuss for your cats particularly when your new girl is in the room so they don't feel pushed out.

When you do let her out make sure it's just before tea so she's a bit peckish.

Have her microchipped, but while you think she might wander off give her a collar with your phone number on it.

I hope that's helpful!

Good luck and enjoy.

[CheeryCherry]

Oh thanks so much for all these tips! Bit concerned about how long to keep her in...will be hard with my other two who are used to coming and going. Will definatley use a litter tray, Thanks for mentioning chipping.
She is not from the area so thats why I am worried about her running away, but we will spoil her rotten so she will hopefully love it eventually.
And what to call her? Should I try different sounds, see if she responds? Or just pick a name and use it a lot?
Excited now! Will prob take her in next fri when I can get her to the vet and then spend all weekend with her.
Thanks all!