Taking in strays

[ChristyM]

Hi, I would like some advice about taking in two stray cats. First, I’ve always wondered is there a way to know how old your cat is? Secondly, I have taken care of a stray (her name is Kali) for about 3-4 years now. The color of her coat is tortoiseshell print with green to yellow eyes. Shes a loving cat, but have to watch out for her swatting sometimes. She has had worms in the past that I have given her medicine for and she has done well as an outside cat. Then another one came along who I called Gollum (it took him time to warm up to me since I believe he was abused when he was little), he has become a very affectionate, loving cat. Kali seems to tolerate Gollum, they don’t fight. They both depend on me everyday to feed and love. I will be moving within a year or so and I want to take them both in. However, I’m undecided about this situation because of the stress I can put them under also the steps I would have to take to make them permanently mine. I’m sort of at a lost on this one and wanted to know what exactly are the steps I have to take to make them permanently mine? And travel? I’m not sure if I could even get them in a crate really. But at the end of the day I don’t want to leave and abandon them, they both wouldn’t understand. Or would it be easier to try to make sure that the new homeowners to do use my home feed them? It just seems like the stress of what I would be trying to do would ruin the loving and trusting relationship I have with them both.
I have no clue how old either one is. I do know that Kali (my first stray) she did seem to be small (not baby) but still at a young age when she came to me. Gollum seems to be more in the mature stage of a cat when he came.

Not sure if this question can be answered but looking for any advice you can give.

Thank you for your time.

@Dr. Jeff @Dr. Christina

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hey Christy!

Let's see what cat expert @Dr. Jean Hofve says, even before I give my opinions about your great questions.

 

[ChristyM]

Hey Christy!

Let's see what cat expert @Dr. Jean Hofve says, even before I give my opinions about your great questions.

Hi @Dr. Jeff, I last wrote this post in May and have yet to receive a response from @Dr. Jean Hofve. Could you please provide your input for me? Thanks so much, looking forward to your response.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hey Christy!

is there a way to know how old your cat is?

Sure. Size, teeth, experience, etc.(when they're young). After two it can be hard to tell.

Secondly, I have taken care of a stray (her name is Kali) for about 3-4 years now.

Thanks for taking care of the homeless kitties.

However, I’m undecided about this situation because of the stress I can put them under also the steps I would have to take to make them permanently mine.

IMHO you should bring them with you when you move. And permanently adopt them.

make them permanently mine? And travel?

Yes! It's worth it to give a home to two loving companions.

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Oh gosh, bless you for taking care of these kitties in need!

Since you have a little time, start their basic training. Since they come to you for food, you can delay feeding while you do short training sessions with them. Clicker training would be perfect here. Karen Pryor has a great book about how to do that. I would also look into Tellington TTouch.

The basic steps are to instantly reward when you see a behavior you want. For example, put the crate outside near the food, and if the cat approaches or sniffs, give (or toss if you can't get too close) a treat so they associate the crate with good things. Eventually you can reward getting closer, stepping in, getting all the way in (just leave the door open or off), etc. It's a slow step-wise process.

Once you have them crate-accustomed you can get them scanned for a microchip, and if none, then you can have them chipped and register them in your name.

This whole process will be different between them, so just work with the individual personalities and responses.

During the process absolutely use flower essences to help it along. To start, look at Stress Stopper or Feral Cat Soother to see which one you think fits better. When you get closer to the actual move, then Welcoming Change would be appropriate.

 

[ChristyM]

Hey Christy!

Sure. Size, teeth, experience, etc.(when they're young). After two it can be hard to tell.

Thanks for taking care of the homeless kitties.

IMHO you should bring them with you when you move. And permanently adopt them.

Yes! It's worth it to give a home to two loving companions.

Thank you so much for your response. I also have another concern, Kali is sick. She has worms, runny nose and eyes, and is skinny. I tried to give her worm medicine but she didn’t want it after the first night. Do you have any advice on where I can take in a feral cat? This is a hard decision for me to make because I know she trusts me and I don’t want to put her in a crate to take her to get jabbed and poked. She will be frightened and won’t understand. However, I need to in order to save her life.

 

[ChristyM]

Thank you so much for your response. I also have another concern, Kali is sick. She has worms, runny nose and eyes, and is skinny. I tried to give her worm medicine but she didn’t want it after the first night. Do you have any advice on where I can take in a feral cat? This is a hard decision for me to make because I know she trusts me and I don’t want to put her in a crate to take her to get jabbed and poked. She will be frightened and won’t understand. However, I need to in order to save her life.

@Dr. Jean Hofve @Dr. Jeff

 

[ChristyM]

Oh gosh, bless you for taking care of these kitties in need!

Since you have a little time, start their basic training. Since they come to you for food, you can delay feeding while you do short training sessions with them. Clicker training would be perfect here. Karen Pryor has a great book about how to do that. I would also look into Tellington TTouch.

The basic steps are to instantly reward when you see a behavior you want. For example, put the crate outside near the food, and if the cat approaches or sniffs, give (or toss if you can't get too close) a treat so they associate the crate with good things. Eventually you can reward getting closer, stepping in, getting all the way in (just leave the door open or off), etc. It's a slow step-wise process.

Once you have them crate-accustomed you can get them scanned for a microchip, and if none, then you can have them chipped and register them in your name.

This whole process will be different between them, so just work with the individual personalities and responses.

During the process absolutely use flower essences to help it along. To start, look at Stress Stopper or Feral Cat Soother to see which one you think fits better. When you get closer to the actual move, then Welcoming Change would be appropriate.

Thank you so much for this information. I will start the process I do have another concern which I posted up there for you to see, thank you for your time @Dr. Jean Hofve

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Do you have any advice on where I can take in a feral cat?

What city?

 

[ChristyM]

Do you have any advice on where I can take in a feral cat?

What city?

Oh yes. Sorry, I meant to write where I am located. I’m in Davie, Florida. Boward county. @Dr. Jeff

 

[Dr. Jeff]

How about the incredible Dr. Bernstein in N. Miami:

Home | Veterinarian in North Miami Beach, FL

Home | Natural Holistic Health Care is your local Veterinarian in North Miami Beach serving all of your needs. Call us today at (305)-652-5372 for an appointment.

www.naturalholistic.com

He's a dear friend and great guy!

 

[ChristyM]

How about the incredible Dr. Bernstein in N. Miami:

Home | Veterinarian in North Miami Beach, FL

Home | Natural Holistic Health Care is your local Veterinarian in North Miami Beach serving all of your needs. Call us today at (305)-652-5372 for an appointment.

www.naturalholistic.com

He's a dear friend and great guy!

Gosh @Dr. Jeff im so grateful for your time and your swift responses and for recommending such a great veterinarian, but North Miami is too far for me. I will keep him in mind if I end up moving closer where he is. Is there another one you can refer me to more near my area in Davie or close enough around?

How about the incredible Dr. Bernstein in N. Miami:

Home | Veterinarian in North Miami Beach, FL

Home | Natural Holistic Health Care is your local Veterinarian in North Miami Beach serving all of your needs. Call us today at (305)-652-5372 for an appointment.

www.naturalholistic.com

He's a dear friend and great guy!

 

[Dr. Jeff]

@Dr. Christina any ideas for Christy?