I almost became the owner of a second cat today

[firecat88]

This happened just today. My mom and I were finishing up breakfast when, all of the sudden, something catches her eye outside. There was a kitten wandering around our yard. It was so cute! Black with a white belly and paws and biiiiiiiiig gold eyes.

Right away, we didn't think it was a stray. It was too well-groomed and didn't shy away when my mom went to put food out for it. In fact, it seemed very happy about finding people. So we got him loaded into my cat's carrier and my mom started calling around to see if anyone had lost a kitten. At the same time, though, we both had kinda already decided that if we couldn't find its owners, we were keeping it.

As luck would have it, it belonged to a vet that lives nearby, so my mom loaded the kitten and the carrier into the car and took the kitten home. I'm happy that we found its owners, but I'm also kinda sad about it too. XD

[MaggieTheCat]

Another one will come to you eventually, I can almost guarantee it. That sort of thing happens to cat/dog/animal lovers. Earlier this year, we had 3 cats and my husband and I talked about getting another one eventually. We talked about adopting a special needs and/or older kitty from a shelter for our next cat. Then I thought to myself, "I bet if we just wait long enough, one will somehow come to us." And she did! Mint is (was?) a feral who started hanging out in our back yard, and now she's practically a full-fledged indoor housecat.

... And then we also adopted a blind kitten from a shelter. So now we have 5. So yeah...one will come to you soon, I promise.

[dragon_wings]

Omg firecat! That cat sounds gorgeous. You didn't happen to think to take a picture?

[firecat88]

Omg firecat! That cat sounds gorgeous. You didn't happen to think to take a picture?

It totally slipped my mind to take a picture until *after* my mom had already gone. @_@

[firecat88]

Saw the kitten again today. Just now, as my mom and I were coming back from my hair appointment, he was in our driveway. Not sure yet if the universe is trying to tell us something. If it happens a third time, though...

[HappyFun Ball]

I say if it happens a 3rd time the kitty is fair game.

[firecat88]

The universe is officially trying to tell us that we need this kitten. He's back again (and was apparently hanging around the house last night).

[XCashier]

Surely the vet has enough sense not to let his kitten go wandering around?

[firecat88]

Surely the vet has enough sense not to let his kitten go wandering around?

The kitten has a microchip, which I guess is somehow supposed to make it all better. I don't understand it either. All I know is that kitten hung around our yard for several hours today.

[fma_fanatic]

I think I'd be inclined to call the local animal shelter and find out what kind of rules there are about a pet getting out. Then call the vet and say "Look, we've found this cat X many times now. It's getting out and coming to us. If you don't want/can't find the time to care for it, we'll be happy to," and see what happens from there. If he's willing to sign the pet over to you, then you've got yourself a new pet.

I'm not sure what the laws are for you there, but I recall being told by a worker at the Humane Society shelter here that if an animal is turned in and the owner doesn't claim it, it's pretty much fair game as it's considered abandoned after a certain period of time.

Again, YMMV depending on your state.

[firecat88]

Then call the vet and say "Look, we've found this cat X many times now. It's getting out and coming to us. If you don't want/can't find the time to care for it, we'll be happy to," and see what happens from there. If he's willing to sign the pet over to you, then you've got yourself a new pet.

This is actually what my mom is considering doing. Today, we allowed the kitten (who I've kinda taken to calling him 'Misto') to come inside. I know cats have fur and all, but it's cold out there and he's a baby. I didn't want to just leave him.

I'm not sure who was less pleased about him being in the house- My dad or Chloe (my cat). Dad was worried about him peeing on stuff and Chloe was growling and hissing at him. When Chloe finally lunged at him, Dad said we had to put him outside. He stayed in the backyard for another hour or so, sitting right by the window, before he finally left. I hope he got home ok...and I am not ashamed to admit that I cried when Dad kinda freaked out and told us to take him outside.

[Sapphire Silk]

I'm not sure who was less pleased about him being in the house- My dad or Chloe (my cat). Dad was worried about him peeing on stuff and Chloe was growling and hissing at him. When Chloe finally lunged at him, Dad said we had to put him outside. He stayed in the backyard for another hour or so, sitting right by the window, before he finally left. I hope he got home ok...and I am not ashamed to admit that I cried when Dad kinda freaked out and told us to take him outside.

You have to introduce new cats gradually. Chloe was defending her territory; normal cat behavior.

Just putting two cats together, regardless of age, is just asking for a fight.

[wolfie]

Just as well you didn't have the kitten move in. Did you know that the Bible prohibits multi-cat households? It's as plain as day - "A man cannot serve two masters".

[firecat88]

You have to introduce new cats gradually. Chloe was defending her territory; normal cat behavior.

Just putting two cats together, regardless of age, is just asking for a fight.

Did not think of that at the time, honestly. So, yes, that was kinda a dumb-bunny move of us. However, getting this particular kitten isn't in the cards anyway. Mom did go talk to the people who own him and he is not for sale. Apparently, he does come back home at night when he gets called. It's only during the day that he's out and about, which makes me feel a lot better because it means he's not wandering around at night. Which is good because

A) It gets really cold at night out here during the winter. We're talking just barely pushing 32F

B) In the summer, there are always coyotes prowling around at night and pets have been known to disappear because their owners don't have enough sense to keep them inside at night.

[fma_fanatic]

Did not think of that at the time, honestly. So, yes, that was kinda a dumb-bunny move of us. However, getting this particular kitten isn't in the cards anyway. Mom did go talk to the people who own him and he is not for sale. Apparently, he does come back home at night when he gets called. It's only during the day that he's out and about, which makes me feel a lot better because it means he's not wandering around at night. Which is good because

A) It gets really cold at night out here during the winter. We're talking just barely pushing 32F

B) In the summer, there are always coyotes prowling around at night and pets have been known to disappear because their owners don't have enough sense to keep them inside at night.

Still, he's a wandering pet, even if it is during the day. How long before the kitten gets out and gets killed? It strikes me as people who don't care for their pets, IMO. What if the kitten were to be attacked by a dog or run out into the street and hit by a car?