I have a moral question, what would you do in this situation?

Save the pussy.

Keep him and never look back.

You are an angel.

Take him to the vet and then if the owner wants him back, she'll come find him. If she does, you have to give him back but at least you will have taken him to the vet.

Keep him, love. He deserves you.

You must act in the best interest of Mr. Kitteh. Anyone who doesn't attend to fleas and mites doesn't deserve to have him.

Keep him. Fuck that cunt.

Save him from those awful, neglectful cretins! Besides, a lot of cats look similar so he may just be a look-alike.

Take him to the vet FFS! How will the owner even know you have it if you keep it? If they find out, at least the cat won't be suffering with infections any more.

It would be immoral NOT to take the little waif into your care! DO IT NOW!!!

You could also leave an anonymous note to the previous owners letting them know that he’s safe and why you’ve kept him. It’ll make you feel better about keeping him and hopefully teach them a lesson.

That's it. I'm keeping him.

Keep him OP. You sound like a kind and caring person and would give him a home where he would be safe and cared for. He is neither safe nor cared for by his current owner. That amounts to animal abuse.

While I was typing your post popped up at R11. Good for you OP. He is lucky to have you and you him. You're a good person. Let us know how it goes! What's his new name?

Yeah, keep him but don't leave any notes. But, if you let him back outside, he may just leave again since he's already used to being a wanderer. I'd keep him inside and safe.

OP - YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! 😘

I don't know what to name him!!

Check if he's microchipped when you take him to the vet and if not get him done when you can because it will help any ownership issues at a later date. The other owners obviously don't care about him but it might pop up at some point OP.

Also - any pics of him?

We can help you name him R15!!!! DL to the rescue.

June.

Good. Get him microchipped right away. The owner obviously doesn't give a fuck about the cat but if he returns to their house, he's your cat, with your microchip, and they're not going to go to the trouble of trying to subpoena the vet's records to see when it was implanted.

Fuck them. He's belongs with you.

He's a boy R17.

Mitey Mouse.

Put up a flyer with a picture of the kitty and say “He’s mine now. Don’t make this awkward. He’s moved on.”

R19 June is a cute and for a male cat.

What are your other cats’ names?

[quote] I don't know what to name him!!

See the "If DL Were A Bar" thread for a lot of great suggestions!

and = name

Smedley

Any pics OP?

My next cat's name is going to be named Roary.

You can borrow it if you want, OP.

Here he is.

No microchip and he's an intact male..

R29, looks delicious.

R29 Awww!

Just love him. Who cares what you name him.

Smedley and Roary are cute.

Oh he's GORGEOUS! What a pretty boy. What a crime he has been neglected and left to starve. You must keep him. He is lucky to have found you OP. I love threads like these. Thank you so much for posting a pic R29/OP.

Name him Link.

Oliver for Oliver Twist, the orphan!

Name him Darfur!!!!

My child you have 3 cats now !!! Rename them the "Supremes" !! And make sure to name the dominant one " Diana " even if it's a male !!!

Keep him and name him Troubadour.

I like Oliver, R36.

He's adorable! I'm glad you're keeping him, OP.

Do you go for cutesy names or more people names? He’s beautiful.

I just hope the owner doesn't find out, though I don't see how she ever would.

Either, R41.

His name should be David Banda.

Neglected, unwanted, unloved, and found by a benevolent angel, and whisked away into a sweet life of luxury and pampering.

Also, his meowing probably sounds a lot like David Banda's singing.

He looks like a Terrence. Or Terence, if you prefer one "r."

"I just hope the owner doesn't find out, though I don't see how she ever would."

Please, please, PLEASE keep him indoors, OP! If you let him outside, you are playing with fire.

R29 so sweet. Name him Billy Dee.

I won't let him out, R46. My cats are strictly indoor aside from when I take them to the gazebo in the warmer months.

BF thinks from the intense look in his eyes Vladimir or Putin Puttanesca. I can’t explain his mind!

I think he kind of looks like a Max.

If she does find out, just play dumb and say he's your cat that was a stray. Say he had no evidence of ever going to a vet, so there is no way he could be her cat.

I've got a similar situation, except, I know whose cat she is: the neighbors had a baby and "put the cat out", according to (another) neighbor, who is the road crier. The cat was starving and crying outside my door , and it is obvious that she was once a pampered inside cat. I am working on getting her to trust me enough to let me pick her up, and then I am taking her to the vet without permission- we're in a rural town, and it is less likely she's chipped.

My pampered cats, who have never been outside, are getting used to her through the lanai window/door.

I think he looks like a Roger or a Claude OP.

R39, now that he has a kindly uncle to foster him and take him off the street, you should name it Brownlow, instead of Oliver Twist.

He is beautiful. I love that you are giving him a real home and taking care of him.

[quote]are getting used to her through the lanai

Through the la-what R51?

Haz? Just kidding.

Jude, Julian, Maximus Decimus Meridius, Thom/Tom, Jerry, Billy.

Bowie!

You should keep him, and you should probably name him Graymalkin.

Do what you usually do, Karen. Feed it rat poison and then blame a non-white child you spotted in the neighborhood earlier that day.

Cats originated in ancient Egypt. Call him "Ra"!

Cats originated in the West End.

Great! Call him Olivier.

Call him Miss Elaine Paige!

Nut Loaf is a fine name

God bless you, my dear friend!

Things are going well. My cats aren't thrilled and hiss if he gets too close, but there's been no fighting. I'm going to separate them for the night so I can sleep.

So far, I'm leaning towards calling him Oliver. I like the name and it sort of suits him.

My mom did a similar thing a few years back. Her neighbors got a new cat that was left outside most of the time, even in bad weather. He would come over to my mom's house to dry off or, in the winter, warm up. After a while, she just kept him.

He's an indoor/outdoor cat, so I'm sure the neighbors know what happened and just think of my mom as the crazy lady who stole their cat. I'm not sure it's wholly ethical (or if push came to shove, really legal), but the cat is without a doubt happier and healthier. Oh, and she named him Lucky after she stole him.

Oliver is a fine name OP, he’s a gorgeous kitty.

Name him Truvada. Call him PRePpie when you're feeling silly.

I can’t imagine having a cat and just letting it roam outside.

His name is Mr. Stanley and he would like to be addressed thusly!

OP, you normally can't just bring in a new cat into a household with cats. Sometimes it works out if all parties involved are gentle and friendly, but that's not usually the case.

Introductions need to be done in stages. Even if they are OK with each other outside, indoors is a whole other matter. Your home is your cats' territory. The new cat is an invader. And the new cat has been outdoors and fending for himself, so he's likely to see other cats as competition for resources.

Take a look at this Jackson Galaxy video on the topic. His exact method might be a bit of overkill, but the overall concept (separating them at first, getting them together gradually, in stages and with positive association, is sound).

Good luck!

Good luck!

I would keep him without hesitation and name him Lucky. I would also deliver his shits to his former owner regularly.

I'm not a fan of cats, but if he fits in with your family, yes, keep him. He deserves a loving home just as much as your other cats.

Always hungry and roaming the neighborhood? I wouldn't worry about him being already chipped if he's intact and regularly infested with fleas and mites. The former owners never took him to a vet.

He's yours now.

Two words: RABIES SHOT

Bring him in. We make special dish just for you.

Keep him. I did this once. The guy up the street had a deaf white cat who spent more time hanging around my place than his owner's place. He was thin, with ragged fur. He was constantly crossing the street. One day I found him lying on his side in my garden, with a huge abscess draining on his side. That was the last straw. I took him in and never looked back.

A couple of years later he developed a urinary condition that meant either euthanasia or a costly reconstruction of his urinary system. I didn't hesitate to get him the surgery.

When he died he was almost 20, and passed away quietly of old age. I don't regret a thing i did for him. His name was Spider, and he was one of my all time great cats.

Don't look back. Do it.

I'm keeping him, R78, and he's going to the vet on Wednesday! He let be brush the burrs out of his fur and even let me give him a bath. He wasn't happy, but he let me do it, thank goodness because he really needed it.

Good for you, R79. You'll never regret this. Good luck with your new friend.

I always feel better after a bath. Except for that time I accidently sat on a rubber ducky and I couldn't get it out of my ass.

Awww, thank you, don’t forget to neuter him as well.

Yes, take him in before it is too late, a decision that would haunt you forever. He desperately needs you. I would not tell the people who apparently claim him. They won’t miss him. Vet records usually determine pet ownership in this case of the neglected cat, if they ever challenge you.

I am so happy for you and him!

Since he's a wanderer, go for Jack as in Kerouac.

I would name him "Perry."

How's Oliver going today OP? Glad to hear he had a bath. He must be looking very sexy and be very happy to have a proper home now.

I would have named him Bootsie Gumdrops.

I hope your vet will test him for FIV/FLV. Since he is intact, he may have become infected with either or both from a cat fight. As you may know, there is a vaccine against FLV but not FIV (feline Aids) and your other cats may be infected. A cat with FIV has a shortened life and is prone to other infections.

If you are going to keep him indoors, get him neutered asap but be prepared for him to spray urine around your house, as he was not neutered young.

What you are doing is kind, but you have to think of your other cats first, and also your house. Once a cat sprays in a house, other resident cats, even if neutered and who have never sprayed, will start doing this.

The original story reminds me of a Ruth Rendell novel, The Tree of Hands. Except the cat was an endangered baby the protagonist kept…In real life I “adopted” two cats like this. The first one was abducted by the owner on the day they moved, when the cat somehow got outside. The 2nd cat I raised for like 10 yrs until I had to put her down due to her advanced age & declining health.

OP: You're the best if for nothing else to take him to the vet and get rid of his fleas. Glad you're keeping him. You're a nice person.

He's going to the vet today and I'll be sure to have him tested, R89. He'll be getting a full checkup plus an appointment to be neutered.

At the vet.

R93 OP What a handsome boy! You are lucky to find him and he is lucky to find you. All the best!

This thread makes me happy. That is all.

I decided to name him Andy. I tried calling him Oliver and it just didn't fit.

His blood tests all came back normal, he's gets a deworming pill in two week, then boosters, then he goes to be neutered. Eventually he'll need one of his fangs removed, but aside from that he's in pretty good shape. The vet figures he's about two years old.

He's beautiful OP

Aww, thanks, rescue-chick, and everyone on this thread!! You're all wonderful people.

I'm so glad he's got someone to look out for him. Please consider keeping him inside, unless you can keep an eye on him outside. Thank you for being so caring.

What a handsome boy! I LOVE the little mark next to his nose -- like someone accidently swiped him with a Sharpie. Glad to hear he's healthy. Congratulations to you both, OP! You're a mensch.

R99, he'll be a strictly indoor cat until he adjusts and gets used to my other cats and vice versa. Once they're friendly he can go with them to the gazebo, which they love, but I won't let him wander.

Thank you, OP! R99 here.

You're doing a wonderful thing OP, he's a beauty.

Save him...if he comes to your home, he's picked you to own him

Henry...but I like Oliver, too..

He's absolutely gorgeous OP/R93! He already looks very happy and well cared for. Bless.

He's gorgeous!

Frank. After Old Blue Eyes.

R108 never mind; I see his eyes are green.

No it is not wrong to take the cat. It's current owner is irresponsible and should not have pets. Period. You will save the cat's life by stealing it. I have saved and kept a dog for the same reason.

OP, you and this cat found each other.

PLEASE keep us posted!

Rescue him. The owners don’t care about him and don’t deserve him.

How is Andy doing? And the rest of the family?

Snack time : 'Andy Pandy, want some candy?'

Years ago when I rescued a homeless kitty, I came up with an elegant solution to the "is he somebody else's cat?" problem. I bought a flea collar & put it on him (he needed it, badly). Rationale:

1. If someone felt STRONGLY about "owning" him, they'd take the collar off & replace it with a different one, put ID tags on him, or both.

2. If they were just other people feeding him like I was, they saw the collar, and then he stopped coming around, they'd figure his "owner" was keeping him inside now.

After a few days, I upped the ante, and got a tag made with his name, and my address & phone number. A week later, the tag was still on him, so I got him microchipped & started keeping him inside at night. Eventually, I started keeping him inside more and more, until I graduated from college, moved, obviously took him with me, and he became an official indoor cat.

Incidentally, 'feral' cats can absolutely bond with humans. The big difference is, a once-feral cat will trust YOU, and ONLY you, while only rarely overcoming their fear of other humans. It's like "fear hoomanz" is still the default, but they'll carve out specific exceptions on a case-by-case basis as appropriate.

this is what my friend 'S' does (this isn't her but it's exactly like her situation)

Andy has gorgeous green eyes! Good karma for you, OP, may Bastet bless you!

OP, I hope you are a lesbian sister or at least a bisexual man. If you are a gay man you have betrayed us all and let the side down by succumbing to the charms of (a) pussy.

Has he been named Andy by OP now? I thought it was Oliver?

Yes, up thread he mentioned Oliver wasn't working.

OP, how is Andy doing?

Thanks, OP -- from cat lovers and those they love. You've done a great good deed -- and you'll be rewarded, though I know that wasn't why you did it.

Keep him. Don’t give him back to those assholes who just let him roam and won’t even take the poor baby to the vet!

Andy is adorable. The name is perfect. He actually reminds me of Andy Rooney with those whiskers that look like wild eyebrows.

This cat must be named SKIPPER.

Hey guys, it's OP here again.

I haven't posted in awhile because things aren't going great with Andy. Introductions with my cats have so far failed. In fact, he's so aggressive with them that they're terrified of him and very stressed. If he hears or catches sight of them he's constantly growling and hissing. He escaped his room on occasion and chased both of them down and tried to attack them.

I'm keeping them separate, but all he does is growl and hiss if they even come near his space. I've tried a variety of things and so far nothing has worked.

I bought a Feliway diffuser and he goes to get neutered next week. I'm praying that helps. If not, I'll have to take him to the shelter. I think he's a fine cat, and he is affectionate with me, but maybe he needs to be in a one cat home.

I'm worried because my other cats are super stressed out by his presence. I so want to help the poor little guy, but he's not happy and neither are my cats, and I'm even getting stressed by it all. I hesitated to post here again because it's all very upsetting and I feel terrible and like a failure.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Awww, op. I'm sorry. I think with time things get better with cats but sometimes they don't and then you are in place where you have to make a decision. I'm in a bind too as, during the pandemic, two feral cats that were being fed next door suddenly started coming to me and like an idiot I fed them. Then of course, slowly over time they have begun to trust me and it's to the point now where one of them lets me pet her but the other one just hisses. I'm planning on moving soon and I really didn't want cats since two of mine died and it broke my heart. The two feral ones are a bonded pair so it's not like I can take the tamer one and leave the other. I know these guys have been the neighborhood cats and would likely just go back to the people who were feeding them before, but it makes me sad thinking about it. In the end though, I learned a lesson from spending so much time and money on my two cats and putting their needs before mine. I kept myself from traveling for 17 years because I was afraid to leave them and I spent about 10 grand on them when they both got sick and they both died anyway within a year of each other. So I know now to not put an animal before my own happiness and/or peace anymore. I think what you did by taking this guy in was great and you gave it your best shot but you are absolved from feeling like a failure because you did WAY more than what the cats other owners did. If it doesn't work out, take him to a no kill shelter and they will find him a good home where he doesn't have to compete with other cats. Hang in there. It will work out, no matter the outcome.

Oh shit! That sucks OP, I'm sorry to hear that! I really wanted this to work out for you & have a "happy ending". It sounds like you've been taking the correct approach with your other cats (although I am certainly no expert). Have you asked your vet if his behavior might mellow towards the others, after being neutered?

I'd forego any more introductions until the neutering is done, then try slowly again. Ask the vet how long until the testosterone? might be out of his system. There might be hope, but patience is key with cats that have learned to live by being dominant. Maybe ask for some tranquilizers for after the surgery.

it can take weeks of slow work to have animals coexist. I would, as much as possible, keep them in completely separate spaces until he's neutered and then only have line of sight access after he's healed for a few weeks.

Get your new little buddy fixed first, then start introducing your older cats' scents to the new cat in his room. Let him out into the house while your older cats are safely stashed in another room, just for an hour or so and increase from there. When you take him in to get fixed, talk to the vet about the aggression and get some tips from them.

Maybe that's why the old owner(s) kept him outside. That's no excuse to keep a cat outdoors & uncared-for, but it could explain why he was outside all the time.

OP, don't feel like a failure. See what happens after the neutering, take care of yourself.

Thanks, everyone. I'm going to try. Part of the issue is that he can escape from the spare room through the false ceiling, ffs. I've tried my best to block off his escape routes, but he manages to get up to the window and push his way through the tiles.

Anyway, I'm going to keep trying with him and I hope it gets better. I'd hate to have to relinquish him, and if that is what needs to happen, I'd hate to do it after I'm nearly $800 into him. I know that sounds like I'm being cheap....but if I do have to give him up, I'd rather do it before I spend more. So, I've decided to try at least until the day before he goes for his neutering (for now). He is very sweet and probably very adoptable, and that is comforting to me if the worst case scenario arises.

You're not being cheap, OP. $800 is a significant amount of money.

OP, thanks for keeping it real and providing updates. I hope the cats will adjust eventually, but if not, you have at least saved the cat's life and he can find another home.

R67 your mum sounds great and very kind.

OP, are you the person who has to ferry the kitties to and from the gazebo as their moods dictate?

Thank you so much, OP, for being so awesomely you. You did the right thing, and I am so glad for the cat that he found a home with someone who cares enough to have rescued him. Great job, pal!

- Some cunt came and stole the stray male I was feeding for three years and had him put down!

Don't despair, OP. It's quite normal for established cats to get a hate on for the newcomer. Most will eventually come around, but often a cat will never completely warm up to the newcomer.

I once took in a homeless young Manx cat which I named Seth. I already had a male cat named Tom, who was practically the god of the household. Tom immediately despised Seth and took every opportunity to show Seth what a lowly, misbegotten creature he was. Eventually though, Tom accepted him. They were never friends, but they accepted one another.

On the other hand, a showdown is sometimes necessary between two cats to establish dominance. I mentioned my old cat Spider, in a post above. There was another cat in the house at that time named Tiger, a young black and white male. Tiger constantly picked at Spider, who took it on the chin, so to speak, and didn't fight back. However I remember thinking that one of these days, Tiger will go too far, and there will be a showdown...

...And that's exactly what happened. Tiger started picking, and Spider lost his temper and jumped on Tiger's back, knocking him over. Fur flew, quite literally, there was much yowling and screeching and Tiger broke away, heading for the basement. Spider nailed him again on the basement steps.

Once more Tiger got away, and the final battle was fought in the basement litter pan. At some point, Tiger became so terrified that he lost control of his bowels, and had excrement smeared on his coat. You can guess who had to give him a bath.

One thing I will admit, though: Tiger never bothered Spider again.

That's me, R135. They're out there right now and I've let little Andy out to roam the house for a bit.

Aww R138 I remembered you from the thread about crazy things we do for our cats! You are a wonderful kitty parent

Thanks, R139. They still make the trek out to the gazebo several times a day, so I lost that battle, lol.

I'm wondering about putting Andy on kitty Prozac to help calm his aggressiveness? Does anyone here have any experience with that?

I love Andy, OP. It suits him. Glad to hear his blood work is normal. What a lucky kitty to have found you.

This thread had made my night. Thank you for being such a good human. 😘

I had a cat on lorazepam for a while because of his anxiety causing over grooming and it worked well, we had to use it for a year or maybe longer before weaning him off, but it was worth the time and effort. He never got spacey or anything, it just calmed him down.

I had my cat on Prozac for many years after he started spraying at the age of 5, after we moved into a house where a DOG had peed on the carpet. An eighth of a 25 mg tablet once a week. It literally saved his life.

Do you guys think meds would help his aggression towards my other cats? I'm willing to try anything.

I think it would, OP.

Yes it would, OP. You also need to think about your cats having territory wars and marking your house with urine.

R126? You're a sweet and kind person as are all of you posting here. I'm very grateful for you all.

That hasn't happened so far, R146. I'm almost afraid to type this - little Andy hasn't sprayed anywhere. I think he wants to stay inside as he hasn't made a single attempt at the door.

Just last week my vet was talking to me about how she had to put a new cat in her household on Prozac to help him settle down and keep the peace. Not the usual hissing and jockeying for position, but he came from a cattery and really couldn't tolerate others. I'm not a huge fan of such drugging of animals, but if it means the difference between having a home or not, I'd say it's worth exploring

Just give it a bit of time OP. After Andy has been desexed things should start to get better. Introducing a new cat to a bunch of existing cats will take time.

R143 why didn't you just change the carpet? :o

OP's house.....

I didn't have that option, R150. It was a nightmare until we got it under control. Cats think anywhere they can smell urine is a permanent designated toilet.

R143

OP here again, and I have the best news!

My wonderful aunt is going to take Andy! Her elderly cat died a few years ago and she's very excited to have a pet again. I am so happy because the situation with Andy and my cats is not improving much at all. She is going away for two weeks and once she gets back home she'll take him. I am so relieved. I wish I could keep him, but at least I know where he'll be and that he's going to a wonderful home where he'll be a spoiled, only cat. Trust me, my aunt is as much of an animal lover as I am, so he will be very well taken care of and loved.

In other news, Andy was neutered today and is doing well. I'm kind of happy that I'll have him for few weeks since that'll give me the chance to take him back to the vet for his boosters.

You should eat the pussy. BBQed pussy is awesome.

That's terrific news, OP. Yay for Auntie & Andy!

Thanks, R155. I'm so happy and relieved. He'll have a good home, I'll be able to see him and get updates, and my cats and Andy will be happier too.

That's wonderful news about your aunt giving him a home OP. Andy will love his new home and have a happy life by the sounds of it. You have taken such good care of him and looked after him so well. You're a wonderful person. Bless.

Very glad OP! You (and soon your Aunt) have improved Andy's life immeasurably

Good news, OP, I'm very happy that the situation has taken a positive turn.

Yay for you, Auntie and Andy! You have done a wonderful thing, OP.

OP, glad to hear Andy will go to a loving home with your aunt. And you will have a return to a happy cat household.

On your question about Prozac, my cats are 13 and one of them has been on the medication for nearly half her life. She had severe redirected aggression towards her sister after seeing an outdoor cat. After failing to re-introduce them after 5 months, my vet recommended Prozac for her and her sister. Her for aggression and the sister because she was so scared of her sister. The scare sister was weaned off of Prozac. I tried to wean off the aggressive cat but she would relapse and attack her sister. So she's now on a low maintenance of Prozac of 1.5mg every other day. It's enough where they can live normally. But it's not enough to stop her from being aggressive if she sees an outdoor cat. It has happened a handful of times over the years. I pick her up and isolate her for a few minutes to hours. I think the Prozac dampens the aggression a bit. I don't want to have her on a higher dose indefinitely as it makes her listless and causes constipation. Just enough for day to day living with her sister.

I think the best remedy to outdoor cat sightings is probably to move to a higher floor apartment. There's one cat who comes by and sits right in front of our windows while my cat goes berserk. The outdoor will sit there with an implacable expression while my cat is yowling and aiming to kill her sister (since she can't get to the outdoor cat). Is this considered gaslighting?

Keep him! Thank you for being kind.

Pet lovers thread, here. Can I ask this question, please? Thank you.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but it's a good place to post since I didn't want to create another. I am hoping that Rescue Chick or some other knowledgeable person might chime in with some suggestion as to what's happening with my very geriatric Boxer male. Here's the issue:

All of the sudden, he is catching bees in this mouth, allowing himself to be stung, chewing the bees up and swallowing them. After the second bee, I scolded him and pointed to the bees flying around and told him "NO!" several times very clearly. He understands that I don't want him to do this, be he keeps doing it. He would have learned on his own after the first or second time. This morning marks the sixth or seventh bee he has caught, allowed himself to be stung on the inside of his mouth, and then chewed the bee up and swallowed it. You should see this dog - the foam and slobber come pouring out the sides of his mouth when this is happening, and no anaphylaxis shock YET - that's what I'm fearing. Could he actually be lead by instinct to do this for a reason? I have googled "bee venom benefits" and found that this is used for medicinal purposes - among them arthritis. Anyone offer any suggestion? THanks.