Oh no, not another cat! What should I do?

**Cataholic** · 10-01-2002, 10:32 AM

On Friday evening, my mom noticed a cat outside my house- a black and white tuxedo cat, no less. She thought it was one of mine! I noticed it again on Saturday...and Saturday night, my neighbor, also thinking it was mine, put it on my screened in porch. (She knocked, and I wasn't home). Imagine my suprise on Sunday am when I let my cats out for some fresh air on the porch, to see a look a like on my porch, all curled up on a blanket! I, too, looked twice, and realized it wasn't one of mine.

YES! I did the cardinal sin!!!! I fed it! I had too!!!!! She was locked up all night on my porch!!!! Starving, I was sure. So, now Tuesday morning...guess who won't leave my porch? Yes, I confess, I fed her 2 times a day since then. I couldn't just ignore her, could I? Her paws are so white, it makes me think it is someone's inside cat....I mean they are REALLY white, not dirty from being a outdoor cat.

I walked the street Sunday evening...no one knew anything, and I have looked in Sunday and Monday's paper...nothing about a lost cat.

Won't a cat go back to her home? It isn't cold, yet, so I don't have that concern. Should I just stop feeding her? She is young..not a kitten, but not really a full grown cat, or so it seems to me. Should I post an ad? UGH!!!! My mom thinks it is strange that a black and white would show up at my house...seeing that I have six...and wonders if it was 'dumped'....

**Logan** · 10-01-2002, 10:42 AM

Smart cat, is all can say!! She knew just where to show up and stay!!

The only thing I can suggest is notify local veterinarians, put up signs (but don't say too much), and maybe put a notice in the newspaper (ours will do three lines for free for lost/found pets). Then it sounds like you have a decision to make.

I know I'd be inclined to keep her if the other cats can handle it....but then, I only have two cats! And one of them was just like this one. Showed up and never left and I didn't have the heart to just ignore him. (That's my Butter Cat.......

)

**moosmom** · 10-01-2002, 11:00 AM

Cataholic,

What's one more poop in the box??? I'd keep her if no one claims her. I think it's obvious that someone just let her out not caring whether she came back or not. If she gets along with the others, let her stay?? She's already used to you feeding her.

**weeze** · 10-01-2002, 12:34 PM

I would definitely keep it as long as it doesn't belong to anyone else. They are so hard to resist!

**jenluckenbach** · 10-01-2002, 12:36 PM

I say, post an advertisement but plan on keeping her if you will not be burdened by one more. You always have the option of fostering her until the right home comes along. I love the way you think, I must admit!

How can you NOT feed it and how can you just kick it out???

The best of luck

10-01-2002, 12:40 PM

I would surely do as much as I can to find out if she isn't somebody's lost pet !!! I may not think of what I might do if my own Maya would get lost one day !!!! Of course , if you do not get any reaction , feel free to keep the sweatheart !! Remember , she chose to come to you ...

Good luck !! Let us know how it goes !!

**Vermontcat** · 10-01-2002, 01:07 PM

It sounds like the cat has already found the perfect home where it can blend right in with your other cats! Go ahead and run an ad in the paper, if no one claims her consider her yours as long as she gets along with your other cats.

**Uabassoon** · 10-01-2002, 01:10 PM

I agree with everyone else. If she doesn't belong to anyone she's yours. You've already been feeding her, so what's one more cat. Besides cats choose their humans, and she choose you. You can't deny her kitty wishes

**Chinadoll** · 10-01-2002, 01:13 PM

what should you do?!!.....Why keep her of course!! Unless you see lost signs or hear of someone looking for a cat, I'd say she has found the perfect home

If I ever lost any of my kitties, I'd have ads in the newspaper, online, fliers posted all over, and in schools(kids have a knack for finding lost animals). If no one is looking for their lost cat, she's probably better off with you.

**Cataholic** · 10-01-2002, 03:22 PM

China Doll- my mom said similar things..if one of our cats got out, the entire city would know immediately, shoot, I would probably take off work! I would definetly post signs, etc... I will continue to leave the front door ajar so she can come and go...but if it gets too cold- well, in she comes. I wouldn't want anyone to 'take' my cats, but, I hate knowing every night she is out on the street. I will put a 'found' ad in the paper tomorrow...and see. Truthfully, I don't want/need another cat, but, having said that, I wouldn't do anything negative, either. It does seem like she chose my home. How will I explain it to the herd?

**Chinadoll** · 10-01-2002, 03:38 PM

Truthfully, I don't want/need another cat, but, having said that, I wouldn't do anything negative, either.

I know that feeling!! I now have 5 ferrets. I didn't need or want a fifth ferret...BUT...there was this poor little girl all by herself in a cage at the petstore with 3 big signs plastered to het cage that said DO NOT TOUCH!! BITES!! I tried to give some helpful suggestions of why she bit...she was all by herself and not with the other fuzzy, they weren't giving her moistened food(she was probably hungry and being just a baby couldn't chew the hard kibble well) The store didn't want to listen to me. I heard from another employee that they were going to send her back. I know the company they got her from. She would have been PTS. I argued with the store..called that company who said they would allow her to go to a shelter rather than take her back. Argued some more with the store....they lied to me..they said they wouldn't send her back to be PTS, that they'd keep her until she sold...but I'm so sure she would have sold with BITES!! written across the cage. I finally talked them out of her. I think they just wanted to shut me up.

So now I have 5. I wasn't sure what I would do with her because I really didn't need another...but its so hard to find someone who's ferret knowledgeable...sooooo I have 5 fuzzies. I'm such a sucker.

**Cataholic** · 10-01-2002, 04:10 PM

China Doll,
You must be talking about Lulu? I don't see a picture of her, yet you list her with your signature. So, does she bite still? Is she doing better? Is she in with the other ferrets? Tell me about her. My friend had chinchillas...aren't they similar to Ferrets??? Now is your chance to educate me on something besides cats!
Cataholic...
PS did you get hit with the storm/flooding?

**Vermontcat** · 10-01-2002, 07:20 PM

I just saw your 5 babies photos on www.cathappy.com! So does that mean that this new cat would make 6 or 7 black and white cats for you?

**krazyaboutkatz** · 10-01-2002, 10:28 PM

I also think that you should try to find out if she is lost. If not then I'd keep her as long as you can handle another cat. I'm at my limit with 3 but if I found a needy stray cat I'd keep it at least until I was able to find a loving home for it. I think that maybe someone knew that you had a lot of black& white cats so they dropped it off at your house and hoped that you would think it was one of yours or that you would adopt it.

Good luck. Please keep us posted.