New Addition!!

[Toby's my baby]

I got a new cat!! Ok, I don't know if I get to keep it yet, but here's the story. . ..

At school, last Saturday, there was a cat outside, and it was VERY skinny. So I bought food from the concession stands, (at the basketball game) and gave it to him. He is so friendly, but isnt crazy about being held yet. He's just like a dog, follows you wherever you go. .. Well, it has been in the -10 degrees this past week, and today I desided (after spending my whole lunch break outside in the FREEZING cold playing with it) that I had to take it home. Well, it turned out that my dad had to come an pick us up from school, because we missed the bus. . .I picked him up, and didnt say anything to my dad, and just put him in the topper on my dads truck. When I got in, my dad's was just like, GET HIM OUT! but I refused, and told him that it was skinny, and didnt have any food or shelter, so he let me take him.

Right now, he is in my grandpa's shop, which is heated, with food and water, and a blanket and a cat bed. I really want to bring him in, but, I dont want to let him have an accident, so I was wondering, if I have a litterbox in my room, would he use it do you think? Even if he might haved never used one before in his life?? My old cat did that, used a litter box, when I had to keep her in the house, when she got sick, and she had never used on before. . . ??

Thanks guys!!

O, by the way, he needs a name!! I was maybe thinking Pepper? Here are some pictures. .. .

[catmandu]

Pepper Is Quite A Nice Name,and That Was Wonderful Of You To Take This Poor Starry Cat In,from The Cold.
Bless You For Caring,helping And Feeding Pepper ,your New Friend.

[auggie]

Why don’t you put a litter box in the shop and see if he uses it.
It comes natural to most cats.
Bless you for bringing the little guy into a warm place.
He is adorable!

[Toby's my baby]

Thanks everybody! I have a litterbox in there now, but he hasn't used it yet. I've been checking in on him every so often, but with no such luck. I want to bring him in tonight but dont want to wake up to an accident. I HAVE to keep him in my room, so that he doesn't see C.P, and so they dont come in contact with each other, since I'm assuming that he hasn't had any shots.

[Toby's my baby]

Another question:

He is VERY skinny, you can feel all his bones, even though you cant tell it in the pictures, but, should I let him eat when he wants, or should I just feed him twice a day, only a certain amount?

[Catty1]

I can't advise on the eating, others here rescue stray cats, so they would know better. Some strays are so hungry they bolt all their food, then throw it up because they ate so quickly.

Since he is very hungry and might be dehydrated, it might be a few hours before he HAS anything to put in the litter box!

You can also call your local SPCA or Humane or your vet for advice.

Pepper is GORGEOUS - I love his eyes!

[sandragonfly]

yikes, have you (vet) tested him for fatal diaseases (flv&fiv) yet? that would be the first thing I do before I bring any stray inside to other healthy cats.

so far sounds you have been doing a great job! on food, I reccomend to not feed too much (let him gorge up) or give too little (less than 1/2 cup a day) - standard suggestion from vets amount of food for a cat a day is about 1/2 to 1 cup - I understand he's so skinny today but by time you feed him rountinely, morning and evening (or once a day in same amount) and in about two weeks, he'll be one little chubby happy boy! I wouldn't start with big amount of food because it can mess pepper's appetitte later on, expecting more food, etc. unless your way is to free-feed, just to watch his weight carefully - some cats get effected (overweighted) easily.

pepper is lovely! love his eyes, does he cross his sweet eyes sometimes? I think pepper suits him well, my black girl who just had her name changed from peppers to midnight, she said he can have it!

[icedtea]

What a sweetie!! How fabulous for you. a cat hangs around my school, it looks healthy though. I have a kinda wish that I will save a cat or kitten at some stage.

[moosmom]

What a beauty he is!! The reason there's nothing in the box is he probably hasn't eaten in a while, being as skinny as he is.

Make sure he's got water as well as the food. Keep a bowl of dry food available all the time. Cats like to nibble.

I like the name Pepper! I don't see why you can't keep him in your room with his litterbox, food and water. At least he won't be alone.

Please, if you can, make sure you have him tested for Feline Aids and Feline Leukemia and also have him vaccinated.

Good luck with your new puddy. Keep us posted!!

[Toby's my baby]

Ok, thanks for the info everybody!

No, I just got him a few hours ago, so he hasn't been to the vet yet.. . .. sadly, my dad told me that he is NOT getting fixed, but trust me, i'll change his mind. . .. Hopefully I can get him to the vet soon, if my parents are going to let me keep him. I dont have school on monday, so I could make an appointment for then. .. .

[NoahsMommy]

Congrats on the new addition.

I hope dad changes his mind. That's not fair to this sweet boy to have to deal with all those hormones if he doesn't have to.

He's such a cutie pie! I LOVE his eyes!

[Catty1]

Explain to the vet about the neutering situation(assuming he isn't already), and see if there is a low-cost spay-neuter organization where you are.

Good luck!

[Toby's my baby]

Thanks again everybody!

Catty1 - we arent worried about the money, at all. My dad just doesnt get why people spend the money, on their babies. . it's sad, I know. But he just doesn't understand. My sister and I pay for all the vet bills, and everything for our pets. My dad just doesnt think that we should be spending the money on them. . .

[sandragonfly]

..then why is he letting you keep pepper? it costs to keep a pet!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Pepper sure is adorable and I hope that you'll be able to keep him. Hopefully he's also healthy and that you'll also be able to get him neutered. If you don't then he may start spraying everywhere, getting into fights with other male cats, and straying from home for several days when there's a female cat that's in heat. I hope that you can try to educate your father about the importance of spaying and neutering animals. Good luck.