This may end up long, but I really need some advice from fellow cat lovers.
I already have 2 kittens, brother and sister, approaching 8 months old now, both neutered, very happy, no problems. Over the past few weeks there has been increasing concern for a kitten walking around our community, near miss hits by cars, very slim and always begging for food and never being let into its home. There have been posts on our community page about this cat for weeks and although some people have said who owns the cat, until now unfortunately the owners have never answered the door. Today the kitten was found outside the local school, crying, and one of the ladies I know who takes her children there took the cat to the vets - to see if it was chipped and if we have all been assuming the wrong owner. The cat was not chipped, is a she, is less than a year old and is pregnant. The vet advised that if she has the babies in this weather outside they will not survive, especially if mother isn't getting enough food to sustain herself and therefore them. The vet advised the lady to find a home for the kitten if possible, or take her to a rescue - she asked me, if she can't contact the owners, could I take it in tonight and post my details through their door. She knocked and low and behold, they answered! However - they stated this is not the first time she has been pregnant, they dont want her inside ever, they don't want her kittens and they don't care about chipping or neutering her. We found the cat this evening, walking home, it had been raining and very windy, sheltered under a bush, absolutely soaking and crying. I got my cat carrier and I have brought the cat home where it gobbled lots of food and got warm next to the radiator. Yes, I've kind of 'stolen' a cat, but I couldn't bear to leave her out in the freezing cold.
My dilemma is introducing this kitten to my others. I brought her in today, took them upstairs first and just let her have a sniff around and she was quite happy. I let them in and she wasn't fussed by my male cat but was hissing at my female. Does anyone have any tips on introducing them? I'm not trying again until the morning as she is fast asleep now and settled, but I'm wondering if her being pregnant and protective of her babies (and having to be as she has essentially lived outside all her life!) will make it trickier. I can't bear to leave her outside all alone again.
Thank you if you have gotten this far!!