Who's this little orange kitty??!!

[wolflady]

Hi everyone! Well, you all know that the stray cat that I cared for for the past couple of years finally found a home. :D She is doing very well, by the way...and living it up like the princess she knows she is! :D

Well, Sunday night, my husband and I got home late, and Marius was just going crazy at our sliding glass door. We turned on the backyard lights, and there was a fuzzy orange kitty(looks very much like noahsmommy's Noah!) coming up to the screen and doing headbumpies, and then flopping down on the concrete and rolling around being cute. Marius knew this wasn't Crookshanks (where did she go?? :confused: ), so I imagine that having a strange kitty hanging around Crookshanks' kitty house outside was making him uneasy.
It's hard to tell if this is someone's pet, because the coat seemed in fairly good condition. I did put some food out, and he (I think it's a he, but it's hard to tell with all that fur! :eek: LOL) ate it really fast. Since he was coming up to the screen and rubbing, I assumed he was friendly, so I opened up the door, but he just ran. So, it appears that he's afraid of people.

Little orange kitty was back in the yard again last night, and I found out that he has been sleeping/lying in the house I bought for Crookshanks! How funny is that? I wonder if Crookshanks told all of her stray kitty friends to come to our backyard because they would be safe there! LOL LOL
The question is...what should I do? I have no idea if this is someone's pet. If it is, it makes me mad that people can just let their cats run with no collars or identification of any kind, because soft-hearted people like me feeling inclined to feed and care for the little lost ones.
However, since he seems afraid of people and being touched...is he a stray? Where did he come from?? Should I just play it by ear and try to gain his trust?

**hugs**
Karen

[lailamara]

How can you resist. We had an old black longhair kitty living two houses over. They left him out in the cold all the time. And the winters in Toronto are very cold !!!!We heard him yowling to be let in at all hours. They rarely did. We even went and told them that their cat wanted in. We couldn't stand it anymore so let him into our house to warm up and we fed him. Then he brought his house mate a plump grey cat...They lived with us part time. It's not that they were abused but that's not how I'd ever treat a kitty of mine. We went travelling for many months and they had moved away..taking the kitties with them. I was broken-hearted. The black kitty was 17 years old and deaf. The owner didn't even know that.:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
I always wondered what had happened to him. He was such a charmer. I said if he found his way back here we were going to keep him.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

You might try posting notices around the neighborhood to see if anyone responds. He must have been somebodys at one time or another if he's so friendly - poor kitty. Otherwise, just do what you think is best and if the owner really cares they will come looking.

Yep, I think word has gotten around that you have a very nice, kitty friendly backyard.

Hey, I hear Edwina is looking for a brother/sister. Maybe you can send him home with Sara this weekend. ;) :D

[NoahsMommy]

Its Noah!!! ;)

hee hee :D

[wolflady]

lailamara, how awful that your past neighbors didn't treat their kitties too well :mad:
I'm so glad that you cared for them when they lived in your neighborhood though. They probably got much better treatment and care from you then they did from their own owners! How sad. **hugs**

Yeah, I'll probably ask around the neighborhood to see if this little guy belongs to anyone. If not, I may have just gotten a new backyard baby! LOL LOL :D Hmmmm...maybe I should come up with a name for little orange fluffy kitty! ;) Any ideas? LOL

I will keep you all posted!

[wolflady]

Originally posted by NoahsMommy
Its Noah!!! ;)

hee hee :D

LOL LOL It could be Noah's twin! :eek: He seems to be a young cat, and he's smaller than Marius...but that orange fluffy fur is so adorable! :D

[Pam]

I guess he saw the "Vacancy" sign when little Crookshanks left. I think you might be getting a reputation as the Kool Aid mom of the kitty world. Keep us posted and try to get a picture if you can. :)

[jenluckenbach]

I think you have a new kitty project on your hands. Work with him, show him people can be trusted. He deserves a nice home.

[L. Wayne]

I thought Mopsy would for ever be a stray or a feral, until she decided that it was safe to come to me. Personally, considering that the kitty is not at home, nor wants to be there, provided that it is nearby, would indicate that there is something at that place which runs kitty off. I am adopting this philosophy when it come to taking in any strays. Cats have an uncanny ability to realize where they can live in relative peace and safety, and if the kitty comes to your back door, then I would attempt to bring it inside. You can use food, or what ever it takes to get kitty inside where there is more love, which is what it is looking for.:)

............wayne

[wolflady]

:D
Good point, Wayne! :D LOL LOL I think I will try to gain this kitty's trust.
Fluffy orange kitty was in my backyard again last night. He has definitely taken up residence of Crookshanks' house in the backyard. Pam, I think you're right...there must be a network in the kitty world! LOL LOL

This kitty seems to want attention, because he surely knows how to "work the room". He comes right up to the sliding glass door (granted...it's closed) and headbumpies all over the place. Then he flops onto his side and starts rolling around being all cute. But, as soon as I open that door...he runs.
I put some food in the bowl outside last night, and he cautiously eats. If there's any movement at all...he runs. Very strange. I opened the door, but left the screen door closed and talked to him a little bit. He cautiously looked at me, and ate at the same time. Hmmm...I guess this will take some time. I'll try to get a pic soon too! ;)
**hugs**
Karen

[NoahsMommy]

Cute little Patrick! What does Marius think of him now that he comes around more often?

Does it look like he's been sleeping there at night/day?

[Karen]

I would ask around the neighborhood soon, in case somebody's missing him! If no, I'd be happy to think up some kitty names!

[Randi]

Karen, it sounds very much like when we first got Fister to come up. It took us a long time to gain his trust, though. We saw him every day in our backyard and fed him and his mom. When we decided to try and get him up, we opened the door and put some food right inside and that way, we enticed him up the stairs further and further, until he dared come in to our flat. As you know, he is now living happily with us and don't even want to go out.

Best of luck getting him inside - it takes a lot of patience! :)

As Karen says, try first and find out if anyone is missing him.

[wolflady]

:D
So far nobody seems to know who this little orangie belongs to. I'm not sure where he goes in the day, but he has been hanging around in my backyard at nights and he does lay/sleep in Crookshanks' kitty house.
In the meantime, I'm building his trust. I was finally able to pet him last night! He's so soft! He was still a little scared, but once he got used to me petting him, he seemed to like it. He just purred and purred. I think he got a little overstimulated though, because he was a bit "mouthy" at times. He would rub his head and face on my hand, but then he'd try to bite. I'll see if I can work with him on this. Maybe his family dumped him because of this behavior? Who knows.
Marius seems interested. He sits and looks out the window at little fluffy orange kitty. Scooter, on the other hand, has other opinions! LOL After I had pet orange kitty, I had come back inside where Scooter got a whiff and he immediately hissed at me! :eek: LOL
I will keep you all posted on the progress!
**hugs**
Karen

[moosmom]

Karen,


It's not that they were abused

I fail to see how leaving a cat out in the bitter cold is NOT abuse.

I'd throw caution to the wind and keep the cat. It's obvious that don't want him. You are an angel for caring for him.

If he's biting you might want to see if he's declawed. So many people have their cats declawed then dump them when they start to bite.

The one thing you might want to do is when he goes to bite, don't pull your hand away. You don't want him to know you're afraid. That is unless he's biting hard. I had a declawed Maine Coon rescue who would bite. When I realized that she was only giving love bites, I didn't pull away. I think if you work with him, he'll get through it.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Karen, I'm so glad that you're gaining the orange kitties trust. :) I'm also glad that he feels safe in your backyard and that you're able to care for him. I'd also love to see some pics of him. Please keep us updated. Good luck. :)

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

It's sometimes difficult to know whether you are dealing with strays or other peoples pets looking for a buffet dinner!

We have a large number of Feral Bahraini Dilmun cats in the housing complex where I live. There is another "cat lady" in the complex who also puts out food, so the cats tend to travel between the two.

Here are some of my current visitors:

Pugwash - could be my Ally's brother (she was rescued from my garden) - same markings and similar size, but only one eye due to a nasty fight. (We caught him, and he has been neutered and had the eye socket cleaned / closed up) Will allow me to stroke her head, but looks like she is only tolerating it 'cos I am next to the food. Looks like she has had a tough little life.

Patches - currently waiting to give birth at our SPCA - would whail outside until I went out and sat down, at which point she would climb into my lap for a few minutes cuddle before eating her food - I think she must be a lost / abandoned pet, as she is so affectionate. Relatively good fur etc considering she lives outside

Ginger - Gorgeous Orangie boy - always immaculate - allows me to pick him up - I think he is a pet from nearby who just prefers the menu at my place!

Magnum (looks like the inside of a caramel magnum icecream) - only has one eye (after Patches has had her kitties, he is next on the list to catch - we will have his eye seen to and also neuter him at the same time). Will not make contact, although he used to run a mile when the door opened, but now he stays within a foot of the food dish.

Lizzie - pitch black female with emerald eyes (hence the name - Lizzie looks like a young glam Liz Taylor). Will not be touched, and unfortunately loves to tease my indoor cat for hours by talking to he through the window!

This is the current line-up, although it changes all the time!

[wolflady]

Ally cat's mommy, it sounds like you have quite a nice group of visitors there! :D Cats seem to know where they will be welcomed;)

Well, I've made some progress with little orange kitty, who now has many names! LOL My dad is partial to Sergei, I quite like Jonah and Elijah and Orion. Anyway, nobody has claimed him and he's staying in my backyard most of the time now. It's been rainy the past several days, so he's been going into Crookshanks' old house to keep dry.
I've made progress with his trust and have even been able to pick him up! :D He's getting better about the biting thing, so I'm sure if I keep working with him and get him to have proper manners :rolleyes: I may just be able to convince hubby to let me keep him! :D LOL Marius seems to be getting used to his presence, and the other day when I opened the back door to feed him, he came right through the door and head-butted Marius! It was so cute, and Marius didn't even seem phased! Scooter is still iffy, and hisses at him, but I'm sure in time he would get used to him too.
I think I will be making an appointment for him at the vet's because if I am to even consider bringing him inside, I want to make sure he's not carrying any diseases that will infect my other babies.
Will keep you posted!
**hugs**
Karen

[HayleyRosie]

I think it would be great if you could keep little orange kitty.

[jenluckenbach]

:D Need I actually SAY what I am thinking????!!!!!?????:rolleyes:

[wolflady]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
:D Need I actually SAY what I am thinking????!!!!!?????:rolleyes:

LOL LOL :D :D

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Oh Karen, I'm so happy things are going so well with your little orange kitty. :D Hopefully everything will check out at the vet and LOK (Little Orange Kitty) can come inside with you, Marius and Scooter.

However, it's kind of puzzling that your husband would allow LOK to become part of the household but he wouldn't allow Crookshanks in. :confused: I guess everything works out for the best and now Crookshanks has a wonderful home so you are free to bring LOK in. :D

[krazyaboutkatz]

This is great news Karen. :D I sure hope that LOK is healthy and that you'll be able to keep him. Please keep us updated. :)

[wolflady]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
...
However, it's kind of puzzling that your husband would allow LOK to become part of the household but he wouldn't allow Crookshanks in. :confused: I guess everything works out for the best and now Crookshanks has a wonderful home so you are free to bring LOK in. :D

I know. I think it's because I was so upset about not being able to keep Crookshanks, that my hubby has had a change of heart. Especially since Crookshanks is such a great cat! However, she is in a great home, and I really think that Alaina and Dave really needed her and she needed them. I get to see her whenever I want, so that's a good thing! :D

Will keep you all posted on LOK's progress!!
**hugs**
Karen

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by wolflady
I know. I think it's because I was so upset about not being able to keep Crookshanks, that my hubby has had a change of heart.

That makes sense because now he can see that Crookshanks is a lovely (not just in looks) and is making a wonderful pet, so he has a little more faith in outside kitties.

I'm so glad things are working out for you. :) :)

[NoahsMommy]

Little Orange Kitty/Noah's baby brother/Jonah!!!! What a total doll! I can't wait to meet him!!! (Hmm.....maybe he can fit in my suitcase.....) ;) ;) ;)

[wolflady]

Originally posted by NoahsMommy
Little Orange Kitty/Noah's baby brother/Jonah!!!! What a total doll! I can't wait to meet him!!! (Hmm.....maybe he can fit in my suitcase.....) ;) ;) ;)



LOL LOL LOL ;)
My boys can't wait to meet their aunt Kelly! :D They send along purrs and headbumpies for the toys you gave them. They LOVE them! Especially that feather thingy! :)
**hugs**
Karen

[Pam]

Karen this is so exciting! I hope LOK gets the OK from the vet and is found to be a healthy little kitty. I love all of the names you are thinking about. I guess when you know he will be able to officially come inside to live is when you will have to decide on a name for good. Gosh, I just realized that if this adoption takes place you will have an orangie and a white kitty just like me. I guess I should start looking for a kitty that looks like Scooter. Oops - the dogs say NO, no more cats! LOL! Keep us posted and of course pictures are always welcome! :)

[wolflady]

Originally posted by Pam
Karen this is so exciting! I hope LOK gets the OK from the vet and is found to be a healthy little kitty. I love all of the names you are thinking about. I guess when you know he will be able to officially come inside to live is when you will have to decide on a name for good. Gosh, I just realized that if this adoption takes place you will have an orangie and a white kitty just like me. I guess I should start looking for a kitty that looks like Scooter. Oops - the dogs say NO, no more cats! LOL! Keep us posted and of course pictures are always welcome! :)

LOL LOL That's right! We'll both have an orangie and white kitties! How funny! ;)

I called and made an initial appointment for him for next Thursday at 6:30pm!! Since I haven't been happy with the vet I had been going too, I decided to try a different one. Hopefully I'll have more positive experiences at this new place. They said they would look over him and see how old he is, give him his first round of vaccinations and determine if he needs to be fixed. I really can't tell if he's fixed or not because of all the fur! :o

I'll keep you all updated! Hopefully I'll get a pic of him soon too;)
:D
**hugs**

[wolflady]

Sergei (little orange kitty) is a "new man", so to speak! I took him to the vet last night for his 6:30 appointment. I left work early, because I didn't know how long it would take for me to get him in a cat carrier. I was able to coax him partially in with a piece of meat, and when he got about halfway in, I shoved his butt the rest of the way in and closed the door. I tell you what, he was NOT happy about this! He screamed and cried and tried to paw his way out. I've been making good progress with him lately, but after getting him into the carrier, his "wildness" came to life. So, needless to say, I decided to head over to the vet's a little early, with Sergei screaming all the way. :eek: So, I got there and told the receptionist that I had a stray cat, so I didn't know what to expect from him and that he may be a little "wild". They ended up taking him in the back and asked me if I wanted him neutered since he wasn't, so I said ok. I was surprised that they would do that, so I ended up just leaving him there overnight and I picked him up this morning. He was fixed, the vet estimated him to be around 2-3 years old. He got all of his shots: rabies, Feline Leukemia...etc.
So now, Sergei is in our bathroom at home! :eek: I sure hope he doesn't tear anything up. I'm just still surprised that Aaron is being this open with him. He must have really felt guilty about not keeping Crookshanks! LOL So, we'll just see what happens. We put a litterbox in the bathroom and a water bowl, because they told us to keep him calm and confined, so the bathroom was the only place we could think of. I couldn't bear putting him back outside right after surgery. Poor little guy! Oh, he is 12 pounds! I'm surprised at that too, because he certainly doesn't look or feel like 12 pounds. He needs to gain some weight a little bit also.
So, when we got home this morning, Aaron and I set up his stuff in the bathroom and then we opened his carrier door. He would not come out, until Aaron left the room. When it was just me in the room, he came right out and was purring and then he managed to glue himself to my leg, so I had to distract him before I could slip out of the room! Poor thing! I think he is going to be a work in progress. I hope he comes along quickly, because I honestly don't know how much patience Aaron will have for him....
**hugs**

[Karen]

Sergei Rudikov(red-head in Russian) is a lucky kitty! He may not know it quite yet, but he did pick the right home, even if it DID involve that awful cat-carrier and the indignity of a trip to the scary white-coats! Hope all the tests come back right, and he's a forever keeper!

Oh, Scooter, mama doesn;t love you any less, get over it! :)

[Logan]

I have missed this whole thread, Karen!!! Now, I've learned that Crookshanks, who I adored from the very beginning, is happy in your friend's home. That's a great ending to the story!!! :D And here you are entertaining the thought of keeping the new orange baby!!!

I'm going to keep a watch on this story from now on, I promise! And good luck!!! :)

[jenluckenbach]

Glad to hear all the good news about Sergei. He'll adapt fairly quickly, I think.:D

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad that you're going to keep Sergei. :) I'm sure he'll relax soon and fit right in with your family in no time. My Cirrus is semi-feral and as of tomorrow I've only had him for 2 months. Now he and Sunny are best friends. Storm likes him too but still has his occasional spats with him. Good luck and please keep us updated.:)