Desperate for advice. Found teenage cat. New mom posts #41!!

[Moesha]

I just went outside to let Aroara in and the cats were acting a little strange looking off of the porch interacting with the dog. Then I heard some mews and upon closer examination I saw a face on the lawnmower. I came inside to get a flashlight and went back out to find the face on the porch. It's a scrawny teenage black kitty with very angular features. I think it is male, but it hard to get a look at it's backside because it is demanding to be petted. I put it in the bathroom and put the bowl of food down. I think it would have inhaled the food if it could have. So up came the bowl and I spread out pieces on the floor for it to eat more slowly. It still wanted attention. Of course Aroara is outside the door hissing her head away. I don't know what to do. There is no way I can keep it. I can't afford anymore animals. I still have to trap Gary and get him fixed and vaccinated. I can take this to the vet tomorrow to be tested and vaccinated, but I'm sure it is too young to be fixed. We don't have a shelter or anything here. I don't know what to do. Any suggestions at all?

[Karen]

Any sign of a collar or anything? Have you looked around for "lost cat" signs? If he's a teenager, he's old enough to be neutered, by the way. Call your local paper, they often list "lost" or found" pets for free. Have you contacted Animal Control to see if anyone is looking for him?

If no one is looking for him, maybe you can put a notice in the paper or on craigslist or even Freecycle and "sell" him for ten dollars - something cheap enough, but not free, so he won't fall into the hands of bad guys ... Freecycle doesn't allow you to charge anything, so you'd just have to careful about who you let take him.

Does your vet have anyone who might foster him?

[kitten645]

Sorry..I can't give any advice. However, my boys were fixed at 8 weeks so I doubt it's too young to get fixed. Maybe the vet can get him adopted for you?
Good luck!
Claudia

[Moesha]

I only discovered him 30 minutes ago. We don't have animal control. I will ask the neighbors tomorrow, but he is scrawny and scarfs food like he hasn't seen it before. I can call the radio station tomorrow as well but don't have much hope there. I don't even know if I can stand to keep him in the bathroom tonight. He's screaming for attention. I'll post a video in a minute.

[jennielynn1970]

How far are you from Mississippi... maybe you could mapquest Willow Oak and just happen to find yourself there and see if they could use a new guest..

[Moesha]

LOL I'm tempted Jenn!

I don't know exactly how to add video, but here's the link. I put the towel outside the door to keep Aroara from growling and hissing at it. He pulled it inside the bathroom.

[jennielynn1970]

OMG... how pitiful sounding!!! Both Sophie and Jorgie are right here with me and listening to the video (I've replayed it for them a few times). Sophie just looks at me with these big eyes, and murmurs at me, like "Where is the baby kitty??"

Sweet little thing! He just wants some loving!! Please give him some hugs and loves for me, and from Sophie too!

[moosmom]

Moesha,

Boy does that mew just cut into my heart strings. I'm sure you'll find a home quickly. Please just do one thing. Do a home check if possible, and get personal references and the name and phone number of their vet. I know it can be a pain in the butt, but believe me, it'll save her life in the long run. Charge an adoption fee, seriously. Charge whatever the vet charged you, as that's the cost they would have to put out had they taken her to their vet. If they can't afford the vet bill, they have no business adopting her, plain and simple.

Thanks for taking her in and looking out for her well being. You rock!!!

[Moesha]

Thanks to everyone for the reminders about black cats, especially at this time of year. I don't celebrate Halloween but am very conscious about the danger to black kitties. I have 4 of them.

Now, I need some real advice. I just am not allowed to have anymore kitties in this house. Morgan is a strictly inside kitty and Aroara was going to be, but she REFUSED. She does spend half of her time inside though. I don't exactly know how to explain this, but since I personally brought those two kitties here, I feel a greater responsibility to them. The rest of them showed up here on their own. I take care of them. They have food and shelter and regular vet checkups and emergency vet services if needed. But they can't live inside. I don't own this house and those are the rules. I live in the country on a backroad with acres of open fields and some wooded areas also. I know there are dangers outside, but I figure that these guys that showed up here have it pretty good compared to what it could be. And some do come inside for social visits also. That being explained, here's my problem with the new kitty:

His quarantine period is up tomorrow. I may be able to talk my way into getting him a couple days inside, but I know it won't be many. I can use the pretense of having to watch his stools until they firm up. I have had a friend of mine say that she would take him when she moves out of her parents house in November. She has a cat and is responsible. I'm sure she would do her best with him. But I also know how much it costs to live on your own. She'll have fun trying to feed herself sometimes, so I don't want to add to the burden if I can help it. I told her I would use that as a last result.

I have set up a photobucket account with several pictures and the video on it. I also ordered a few of them as prints to put on some fliers to put up at the vet's office and such. I was going to put this link on the fliers with rip off pieces of paper so people can take it with them to view later. Are there any other suggestions you guys have? Also, I need some questions to ask perspective families. I responded to one add on a local craigslist type site. The person wanted a black female 6-8 week old kitten. I explained what I had and asked why it needed to be female. He responded that he'd already gotten a kitten earlier in the week and went with a male anyway. But they'd wanted a female because they had gotten an orange and white kitty and wanted to have kittens. They decided with the male because they have full blooded labs and are going to have puppies instead. I wouldn't have let a kitty go there. But I'm not sure how to go about getting him a good home.

It would be so much easier and more comforting to get him a PT home. If anyone would be interested in him, I'd be more than happy to do anything I could to help with that. He just needs a home that would give him as much love as he has to give.

ETA: I thought about putting a story from the kitty's point of view on the flier about how he would love a home. Of course I'd mention the vet visit and results. I also thought that I might warn people that I'd be checking into any potential owners to make sure that he would be well taken care of. Does that sound ok?

[kitten645]

Wow you are in a tough spot. Thanks for saving this baby. I have a special place in my for blackies. We couldn't be further apart or I'd try to give you a hand I think if you could hold on to him just past Halloween with your friend taking him as a back up (if even temp. while you keep looking) it might give you some time at least. Aside from that,the only thing I can suggest is naming him Jellybean and see if it works
Claudia

[jazzcat]

I wish I knew something to tell you. Sounds like you are doing all you can with the flier. I'm sorry if you've said before but are there any no kill shelters that would take him in? I know they are usually very full this time of year but if all else fails.

It would be wonderful if you could find a PT home. I'm sorry I can't help but I'm over my limit buy 2 as it is.

[Anikaca77]

Moe,

I really wish I could take him for you, but I have my hands full as well. I would be willing to donate though if you need some extra cash since you have been so kind towards me in the past.

He sure is a cutie pie.

Melissa