Now I''M the one with the stray/feral cat!

[sumbride]

He has taken up residence on our back steps.

Last summer I occasionally fed this gray and white tuxedo cat that kept showing up in our yard. He looks like our Bill, so I took to him immediately. He''s VERY apprehensive though... and only the smell of food got him to come anywhere near me. He didn''t allow me to pet him or anything like that. When he showed up, I fed him... we had an agreement. We named him "Lightning" because he has a little white bolt on his nose. Well, then they started working on the houses behind us and with all the noise and confusion, we didn''t see the little guy again... until this week! He''s back!

So now when we wake up in the morning, he''s sleeping on the mat at the back door. M puts food out for him at the same time he feeds our cats. Our cats are NOT happy about Lightning being there, but we''ve assured him he''s not coming in. The back door has glass though, so they can watch him. He sticks around until the construction starts and then he dissapears, but he''s usually back in the evening for more food. We''ve literally been feeding him double what we feed our plump indoor cats. And he eats every bite. He''s well behaved, quiet, and doesn''t seem to be spraying anything. And he seems grateful for the food. He has allowed me to pet him a little bit now and he stays close when we''re outside, but I don''t feel he has the makings of an indoor cat. Though he has meowed at me, I don''t think he''s ever been an indoor cat.

And here is the dilemma... He''s an unneutered male. What do we do? Ideally we''d do TNR, but I''ve heard that neutered males don''t fare well around unneutered males, and there are several in our neighborhood. Not a colony, but lots of loners. Should we TN and then release him to a barn cat population? We certainly don''t want him to get injured, but we also don''t want him contributing to the population, if we can do something about it. And it would be nice if he could get some antibiotics for his eyes (goopy) and a deworming. M mentioned that maybe the kindest thing would just be to take him to the SPCA so he doesn''t have to live outside anymore, even if it means being put down... but I don''t think he has a "bad" life, just not a "good" one.

What do you think we should do? What would you do?

 

[Gypsy]

I would NOT take him to the SPCA. He doesn't have a bad life... and for HIM it might be a good one as long as he gets fed regularly. I don't think that his life warrants being put down.

I would start giving him some rescue remedy. Then take him in for neutering and some vet care-- check him for FIV etc. Keep him in your garage for a couple of days afterward and see how he takes to that. Then if he wants to go out, let him out... and keep him as your outdoor cat. OR if he takes to being an indoor cat, then find a no-kill or something very close to it to take him to, since you can't take him yourself.

If he is FIV positive or something like that... then you have a more difficult desicion to make.

Can we have a couple of pics? I love Grey and White kitties!

Oh.. if you release him, please keep feeding him, it will be difficult for him to return to hunting and scavenging ONLY as he will expect your food to suppliment.

 

[Cehrabehra]

I haven''t read any of the feral cat threads here but I am dealing with my own situation LOL I''ll tell you what to do if you tell me what to do!!! LOL Mine is a mama cat that recently had kittens but we haven''t found the kittens and aren''t sure if they''re alive.... much more to it than that but this is your thread LOL

 

[FireGoddess]

Poor little baby. He''s a lucky guy to have found you!!

If it were me I would TNR - (at the very least TN and then R somewhere he might fare better) - definitely don''t want him contributing to the feral population, which will be a headache (and heartache) not only for you but for the neighborhood and for the kitties. Had I not rescued Holly there would be 5 more strays/ferals in the neighborhood in a matter of 1.5 months!!

My main concern with the SPCA was the fact that they do euthanize some animals that have health or behavior issues. When it''s warranted I understand it but I would be devastated to know I had some hand in that when the issue is behavioral, since that is not a life threatening thing. I would try to work with a no kill rescue that either knows of a sanctuary or a place the cat could be rehomed if it does have behavioral issues.

Sum, I feel for you...obviously I know exactly how it feels!!!

 

[sumbride]

Oh, you know, I hadn''t thought about Rescue Remedy... I will try that! He was very happy for a time last summer while he ate my cat nip plants, but he took them down to the roots and then was back to his fraidy cat old self. Maybe a little catnip and RR will change his tune a bit more.

We don''t have a garage or any outdoor shelter for him... our back patio is fenced though so I think he likes it because he''s away from other cats and such. The steps are under the roof so it''s mostly covered, but it gets wet when it rains and the wind is blowing. I''m hesitant about providing anything that would appeal to the rat population, so we don''t leave food out... just put out what he can eat while we''re there. The same with fresh water... we try to keep all the water sources away from the rats as well.

I agree that putting him down definitely doesn''t seem like the right thing to do unless he is horribly ill, which I don''t think he is. It''s possible he does have FIV or FeLK though.

I''ll try to get some pics of him this weekend. His coat is neat because though he is gray, you can see stripes underneath it.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 5/25/2007 12:39:01 PM
Author: sumbride

I agree that putting him down definitely doesn''t seem like the right thing to do unless he is horribly ill, which I don''t think he is. It''s possible he does have FIV or FeLK though.

That''s the other thing - if he doesn''t have them, it''d be great to get him vaccinated.

The RR and catnip sound like great ideas too.

 

[Gypsy]

You don''t have to leave food out. One of the cats we TNRed would come to the patio and hit the glass then Meow for food. We''d feed her, she''d clean the bowl, then go away until next time she didn''t have a food source. It wasn''t everyday... but she was a bossy little miss when she did want food!

I would just feed him at the same time as yours if he''s around at that time. In all likelihood he''ll adjust his schedule around your feedings.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 5/25/2007 12:44:43 PM
Author: FireGoddess

Date: 5/25/2007 12:39:01 PM
Author: sumbride

I agree that putting him down definitely doesn''t seem like the right thing to do unless he is horribly ill, which I don''t think he is. It''s possible he does have FIV or FeLK though.

That''s the other thing - if he doesn''t have them, it''d be great to get him vaccinated.

The RR and catnip sound like great ideas too.

From what I remember (don''t qoute me on this it was a while ago) sometimes it can be counter productive to vaccinate a stray against FIV (maybe FeLK too) the vaccine doesn''t cover all the strains AND can result in a false positive. If he''s caught again, they might put him down thinking he''s positive.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 5/25/2007 12:52:48 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 5/25/2007 12:44:43 PM
Author: FireGoddess

Date: 5/25/2007 12:39:01 PM
Author: sumbride

I agree that putting him down definitely doesn't seem like the right thing to do unless he is horribly ill, which I don't think he is. It's possible he does have FIV or FeLK though.

That's the other thing - if he doesn't have them, it'd be great to get him vaccinated.

The RR and catnip sound like great ideas too.

From what I remember (don't qoute me on this it was a while ago) sometimes it can be counter productive to vaccinate a stray against FIV (maybe FeLK too) the vaccine doesn't cover all the strains AND can result in a false positive. If he's caught again, they might put him down thinking he's positive.

All the TNR and TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate, return) sites talk about vaccinating ferals but don't say that it should only be for rabies...best to check obviously as we want to do good, not harm.

 

[Gypsy]

I would vacinate for Rabies and feline distemper.. and Feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus... FeLV is okay too.. and all the ones on this list.
http://www.catvaccines.com/chart_of_vaccine_recommendations.htm


Here is some more detail-- tells you what each vaccine is for. Plus has other vaccines that might be worth looking into.

http://www.catvaccines.com/feline_vaccination_guidelines.htm

But the FIV virus vaccine I am fairly positive can give false positives.
This is what the site says:

Feline immunodeficiency virus: A new vaccine, known as Fel-O-Vax® FIV, was just approved by the USDA for use against the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). This virus, commonly referred to as "feline AIDS," causes the immune system to weaken. Affected cats can have many disorders, including oral infections, eye disease, cancer, and bone marrow disease. Most feline veterinarians recommend that all cats be tested for FIV before they are introduced to a household due to the viruss high degree of contagiousness. There is no cure available against the disease and many affected cats die within 3 years of infection. Although Fort Dodge Animal Health, the manufacturers of the vaccine, is very enthusiastic about its effectiveness, at this time the vaccine has not been recommended for use. According to the AAFP advisory board, "The absence of tests that distinguish cats vaccinated with Fel-O-Vax FIV from infected cats, coupled with questions regarding the vaccines ability to induce protection against all the subtypes and strains of FIV to which cats night be exposed, makes the decision to recommend use of this product far from straightforward."

 

[sumbride]

Wow, thanks for the info! I didn''t have a clue about the false positives. My indoor cats have only been vaccinated for Rabies and Distemper as required, since they don''t have access to the outside and my fears of vaccine-related sarcomas.

If we can trap him and neuter and vaccinate, that would be great. But then what do we do with him? I can''t see Baltimore as being a hot-bed of humane no-kill shelters for non-social cats. Any truth the whole "neutered cats get beat up by intact cats" rumor?

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 5/25/2007 1:35:27 PM
Author: sumbride
Any truth the whole ''neutered cats get beat up by intact cats'' rumor?

I''ve never heard of this. I should do some reading. They might not be as aggressive or inclined to fight, but they should equally be able to defend themselves. Perhaps just not as obsessed with territory and the such as intact cats.

 

[Gypsy]

I think you'd be surprised by what you find in terms of shelters. Believe me Brick NJ is not exactly a hot bed of anything, but well... there you go. I would call your vet and ask them for recommendations of places to go look into -- some vets will even offer animals up for adoption themselves (ours did). You can also use petfinder.org to see what the shelters are in your area... then just call them up and ask them their policys.

As for intact, versus neutered... I don't know. I know that a N'ed male cat will roam a LOT less than an intact one. Restricting himself to a home base area. He won't be as aggressive at all toward females or males who happen to cross into his territory. So it's less likely HE will start fights.

As for intact males attacking him?? I don't know, ask your vet hon!

Can you just keep him as an outdoor kitty if he really doesn't have the right temperment for adoption?

 

[sumbride]

I will call my vet! Thanks!

I''d be happy to let him keep living in the backyard if he wants to... he keeps the rats away! But with no garage and such, I would just want to make sure he has some kind of shelter when he wants it, and I don''t know what that would be. A "cathouse"??

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 5/25/2007 2:13:14 PM
Author: sumbride
I will call my vet! Thanks!

I'd be happy to let him keep living in the backyard if he wants to... he keeps the rats away! But with no garage and such, I would just want to make sure he has some kind of shelter when he wants it, and I don't know what that would be. A 'cathouse'??

Possible. They are finicky little beasts though. Pet smart has heated outdoor indoor (I THINK) mats in the winter. You plug them into an outdoor outlet put them into the dog/cat house and it stays warm and snow free for your pets. I remember seeing them on display and being happy that they were indoor outdoor.

 

[FireGoddess]

My parents kept one of those little carpet covered cat enclosures outside with a blanket in it, and one of the stray cats in the neighborhood (which they fed) would snuggle in it when it got cold.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 5/25/2007 2:53:05 PM
Author: FireGoddess
My parents kept one of those little carpet covered cat enclosures outside with a blanket in it, and one of the stray cats in the neighborhood (which they fed) would snuggle in it when it got cold.

Aww. That''s wonderful of your parents.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 5/25/2007 3:49:41 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 5/25/2007 2:53:05 PM
Author: FireGoddess
My parents kept one of those little carpet covered cat enclosures outside with a blanket in it, and one of the stray cats in the neighborhood (which they fed) would snuggle in it when it got cold.

Aww. That''s wonderful of your parents.

I think I get the cat obsession from them.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 5/25/2007 4:19:46 PM
Author: FireGoddess

Date: 5/25/2007 3:49:41 PM

Author: Gypsy

Date: 5/25/2007 2:53:05 PM

Author: FireGoddess

My parents kept one of those little carpet covered cat enclosures outside with a blanket in it, and one of the stray cats in the neighborhood (which they fed) would snuggle in it when it got cold.

Aww. That''s wonderful of your parents.

I think I get the cat obsession from them.

Good thing to inherit!
How are Chloe and Holly doing?

 

[FireGoddess]

Sorry for the quick threadjack, but I love these 2 to death!

Here''s our recent stray...who loves her bed...

 

[FireGoddess]

Loves it so much...

 

[FireGoddess]

And Chloe, who loves her new cat tree...

(that looks like something gross next to her, but it''s 2 liver treats. quite innocent)

They still aren''t ready to meet yet (Holly went after Chloe''s feet UNDER the door) but I''m doing those darn socks every day...

 

[Gypsy]

Aww. Look at Chloe in her new tree. Such a love. And Holly looks so happy in her bed.

Holly''s a little brat when it comes to the intro''s isn''t she? I wonder if putting a blanket in Chloe''s area for her scent, then rubbing it on Holly would help. Mingling their scents. lovable little brat though.

(Sorry for the threadjack Sumbride)

 

[AmberGretchen]

Must. Snuggle. Holly. SO CUTE

She looks fabulous - she is clearly thriving under your care

I love how totally contented Chloe looks in her new kitty tree too - I just want to snuggle her, she looks so cozy and happy

OK, sorry Sumbride. On to your kitty. I haven''t found and answer to your specific question about the potential danger to your feral kitty if he''s neutered and around non-neutered kitties, although I suspect that it wouldn''t be a problem. It does seem possible that his personality may change after he''s neutered and he might be more appropriately kept as an indoor-outdoor kitty after that. I will keep looking for a specific resource that addresses your questions, but in the meantime, Alley Cat Allies has a really excellent FAQs section that addresses questions about building appropriate shelters and so forth. They also have excellent links to local groups in each state, so you could probably find one near you to consult about specific questions/issues.

Thank you so much for trying to do the right thing for this little guy - good for you!

 

[sumbride]

Oh, Holly looks so happy!!! No worries about any hijacking... she''s a rescue success story!!!

Thanks AG... I''ll look at the AlleyCat Allies site... I remember looking through all that when we were in the process of rescuing Bill from the storm drain We were young and idealistic back then (3 years ago) but now with the warring parties already in the house, we''re hesitant to add another!

 

[sumbride]

Bill spots Lightning outside... it''s like looking in a mirror! Except this mirror image wants dinner!

 

[sumbride]

Bill says "MOM, I don''t LIKE him. MAKE HIM GO AWAY!!!" Lightning doesn''t care. He just wants dinner!!!

(excuse the dirty window!)

 

[sumbride]

And this is where Lightning has been sleeping during the day! He''s found shade under our grill cover.

 

[moremoremore]

UGH! Look at those sweet dirty paws....Just so precious....I would definitely not vaccinate for FIV and FELV...as stated above, there is a debate about them and more importantly, they can produce false positives...so never do that for an outside cat imo...If the shoe was on my foot, and the cat is totally feral, I''d trap and fix him and then (after a few days to heal) release him back into his own community...placing them in foreign communities can make things worse....You just can''t save every cat, but you can help to reduce the cat population....this little fella could produce lots and lots of other homeless babies as you know...bless you guys for caring about these neglected members of society BONKS!

 

[Gypsy]

OMG!! I want him!

I SO DO. He''s such a fuzzy handsome guy!!!

Oh YUM!

He''s breaking my heart. He''s just so cute. I want to snuggle, and hug, and kiss, and ....

OHHHHHHH!

*Deep breath*

Okay. *clearing thoat* I have a WEE LITTLE thing for gray and white cats. So forgive the erm... side bar there.

He''s good looking enough to get adopted. If he''s disease free, friendly, and good with his paws... and not too old (it''s a fact, I''d take a old cat but not too many will) I think he''d be highly adoptable.

Wish I could have him. I really do.