Advice on taking in a cat

[LaCerbiatta]

We’ve moved to our new house last April l and in the summer there was a kitten around, playing outside, coming to our garden, etc. We then found out that the kitten belonged to one of the houses but for some reason was always out. We then found out that this kitten was going to everyone’s houses and gardens, almost as a street shared cat, if that makes sense. One of the neighbours (they already have cats and I think it was their house where the kitten was spending most of the time) were concerned that the kitten shouldn’t be out being so little and wasn’t really being looked after properly and because they weren’t getting any luck in contacting the owner they asked us if we would take it on (they couldn’t themselves as their cats didn’t get on with the kitten). We agreed to it, but on the same day the owner showed up and said that she was looking after the cat, but was struggling to keep him in, but it was their cat and they wanted to keep it.,

This was all in the summer. After that the now cat would show up at our house on and off, maybe a couple of times a week, come in for maybe half an hour, play a bit and then leave again. But, since we’ve been home on holiday (and I think his favourite neighbours have been away) he has been coming to our house every day. Stays for a few hours, eats, plays, sleeps on the sofa and then asks to leave before we go to sleep. On top of that the owner came to talk to me the other day saying that she really struggles to look after him, that he doesn’t want to stay indoors and that she would like to give it to us. Not now, but after some injections that his due in a couple of weeks.

Now, we don’t know what to do….. We really like him, but we can’t have him come in and out as he pleases because we are away from the house all day, don’t have a cat flap and don’t really want to put one in. If he was an indoor cat I think it would be fine, but he doesn’t seem to be…. Or is he not because he isn’t happy at his current house? Do you think he would adjust? Or do you think we can keep him but have him outdoors the whole day? We really don’t know what to do…… We don’t have a shed, only a bike shed, which is not much better than being outside….

Also, we go away a lot. At least 2 long holidays a year; next one this February…..

Any advice from you lovely cat experts would be greatly appreciated!

Do get the full medical details from the owner and the vet, if he is registered with one. I find it worrying that the owner says he is due injections in a couple of weeks. I can only think (but may be wrong depending on his medical history) that these are the standard vaccinations that all cats are supposed to have every year - and if so he shouldn't have been allowed out to roam before having them. If injections are for something else, what medical condition is he living with and what extra care and expense will it involve? You'll need to get him thoroughly checked over by the vet and also neutered. Neutered cats are less likely to roam.

What are your concerns about having a cat flap put in? If you're worried about other cats coming in, you can get one with a microchip that will only allow access to your own cat. I doubt he'd settle as an indoor cat, since by the sound of things he's used to having the run of a whole load of gardens. If you do decide to take him on though, you'd do well to keep him in for a couple of weeks at first so that he learns that your house is now home. And lay on some nice meals and tasty treats for him too

As to your concerns about holidays, you can get a sitter to come to your house to feed and play with him and that would probably be more pleasant for him than being in a cattery. Reputable local cat rescues and catteries may be able to help you find a good sitter. If you have any trustworthy friends locally with cats you could make a reciprocal cat sit arrangement.

Thanks!

Good point about the injections - my understanding was that they were standard vaccinations. I think this was the main concern of our neighbours, that an unvaccinated kitten was left out...

Dh is not too keen on the flap because it would have to be on our brand new front door! Or can you have them on double glazed patio doors?

My cat has to be in when I work, she is quite happy with this as she gets to go outside when I'm home.

She goes out in the morning, if I'm working then she seems to spend most of her day asleep and then goes out again in the evenings.

You can do them is patio doors, you'd need to get it done professionally though.

Is there a window you could instal the cat flap in? It might be cheaper than fitting it on a double glazed door.

Cat flaps & double glazed doors were discussed here a while back www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray/a1676180-Cat-flap-in-a-glass-door

Oh dear.... it's quite a job to have it done on a patio door.. not sure we can afford that now. ..

Don't think a window is an option.

I would suggest asking DH to reconsider about the door (it's only a door after all not a work of art ) but then again it's not the best idea encouraging your cat to go out of the front if you have busy and/or unpredictable traffic nearby.

Perhaps he would settle for being a mostly indoor cat and only going outside when you are at home and able to let him in and out as Sashh suggests but that's not certain. You could try it but if it doesn't work he will let you know, possibly in ways that aren't very furniture and fittings friendly.

Getting a reputable rescue to take him on and rehome him would be an option, but rescues are mostly crammed to the gills and may not be able to take him for a few weeks. It's worth suggesting to the cat's present "owner", I think. Far better for him to be rehomed carefully via a rescue that will take a lot of trouble to match him up with a prospective family, than for him to end up being unsettled by one or more failed rehoming attempts.