That is the exact same way we adopted one of our kitties when I was growing up. All of a sudden a gray tabby started to hang around the yard and after a few weeks one day we just opened the door and she came in and made herself at home. When we took her to the vet they said she'd been fixed and was about five or six years old. We guess she was someone's pet but no one ever posted signs for a missing cat. It took a few weeks but the other three cats adjusted to her presence just fine. If Star isn't that old I'm sure she'll be fine with a new companion (unless she's really aggressive - then I'd put more thought into it)

That is the exact same way we adopted one of our kitties when I was growing up. All of a sudden a gray tabby started to hang around the yard and after a few weeks one day we just opened the door and she came in and made herself at home. When we took her to the vet they said she'd been fixed and was about five or six years old. We guess she was someone's pet but no one ever posted signs for a missing cat. It took a few weeks but the other three cats adjusted to her presence just fine. If Star isn't that old I'm sure she'll be fine with a new companion (unless she's really aggressive - then I'd put more thought into it)

Star is two years old... I think he'd adjust fine.

We are having a house full of company this weekend, which will put Star out of whack anyway, so I'm not sure I'd want to bring the new kitty in this weekend.

I would definitely take him to the vet first, before bringing him in. At the very least, it might save you from the horrors of a flea infestation.

I would definitely take him to the vet first, before bringing him in. At the very least, it might save you from the horrors of a flea infestation.

I'd probably do that... this weekend would not be the best time to do any new kitty stuff. My inlaws are coming to visit until Wednesday

Plus, I haven't seen the grey kitty for a couple of days, though my husband says he has

If you bring the grey kitty in, you need to do a few things: #1 is quarantine him. Put him in a room that no one really uses too much. Give him a box, a bathroom, food and water, etc. The quarantine in VA to make sure an animal doesn't have rabies is about 10 days (At least that's what the guy from the health board told me when I was scratched by a stray I rescued). After that period, take him to the vet and have an ELISA test done (It checks for Feline AIDS), as well as FELV tests and all that, get it a rabies shot, and get it spay/neutered... Don't delaw it unless Star is (it's cruel but, well.. grey kitty could kill star if it's equipped and star isn't.. ).

After you know he's clean, etc... Slowly introduce Star (if star has his own "spot", put a blanket or towel there when you bring grey kitty in).. Switch their bedding, play with one, then the other and back again.. so they get used to one and other.

If you, like me didn't really have time for this: Make all kitty visits monitored by you and Todd, and wait until the hissing and spitting ends before you let them roam the house (with you home) alone.. and once that calms down you can then leave them alone.

It took Sandy and Sam 3 weeks to be friendly to eachother and they STILL aren't friends.

As for the quarantine and all that, that is all information I learned from the lady at Cat Rescue here in VA Beach (and of course the health board guy)... It's a feral at rescue org that is home-based. They don't have an office or a shelter.. so all that comes from people who deal with ferals.

Grey Kitty might be friendly, but don't assume it's just a lost pet - Ferals can be *very* friendly to people... The stray I brought in, Cheeto, was feral and the friendliest little guy I ever met.

His mom is still having Kittens too I found another one last night when I almost hit him with my car and sadly he ran away before I could get him... Jody and I are going to contact cat rescue to see if we can get the Mommy and take her to get spayed on their dime.. *sigh*

P.S Good luck with the in-laws....

I'd kill mine if they visited for longer than two hours *snarl*

If you bring the grey kitty in, you need to do a few things: #1 is quarantine him. Put him in a room that no one really uses too much. Give him a box, a bathroom, food and water, etc. The quarantine in VA to make sure an animal doesn't have rabies is about 10 days (At least that's what the guy from the health board told me when I was scratched by a stray I rescued). After that period, take him to the vet and have an ELISA test done (It checks for Feline AIDS), as well as FELV tests and all that, get it a rabies shot, and get it spay/neutered... Don't delaw it unless Star is (it's cruel but, well.. grey kitty could kill star if it's equipped and star isn't.. ).

 

After you know he's clean, etc... Slowly introduce Star (if star has his own "spot", put a blanket or towel there when you bring grey kitty in).. Switch their bedding, play with one, then the other and back again.. so they get used to one and other.

 

If you, like me didn't really have time for this: Make all kitty visits monitored by you and Todd, and wait until the hissing and spitting ends before you let them roam the house (with you home) alone.. and once that calms down you can then leave them alone.

 

It took Sandy and Sam 3 weeks to be friendly to eachother and they STILL aren't friends.

 

As for the quarantine and all that, that is all information I learned from the lady at Cat Rescue here in VA Beach (and of course the health board guy)... It's a feral at rescue org that is home-based. They don't have an office or a shelter.. so all that comes from people who deal with ferals.

 

Grey Kitty might be friendly, but don't assume it's just a lost pet - Ferals can be *very* friendly to people... The stray I brought in, Cheeto, was feral and the friendliest little guy I ever met.

 

His mom is still having Kittens too I found another one last night when I almost hit him with my car and sadly he ran away before I could get him... Jody and I are going to contact cat rescue to see if we can get the Mommy and take her to get spayed on their dime.. *sigh*

 

P.S Good luck with the in-laws....

 

I'd kill mine if they visited for longer than two hours *snarl*

Thanks - it looks like our neighbors (who don't have any pets) are going to take in the grey kitty, which is fine, because I really don't have time to deal with introducing a new cat to the house.

And thanks... I'll be glad when they are gone!