No such thing as a free cat.

[UconnTim97]

This Saturday, Mary and I adopted a kitten...or she adopted us, depends who you ask.

Saturday morning I left the house to run some errands and saw a tiny kitten run across our driveway and hide in some shrubbery. I called Mary and let her know that a little kitten was running around the yard. She went out and was able to entice the kitten out of the bushes with some cat food. The poor thing was starving. She brought her inside and kept her in one of the guest bedrooms to be separated from our 7 year old cat.

We felt it prudent to ask the neighbors if she was their kitten. One neighbor had seen her around the day before, but no one has claimed her. At this point, we hadn't decided what to do with her as we had no plans to get another cat but couldn't leave her outside on her own. We thought it best to bring her to a vet as she was in bad shape and we didn't want her to do any harm to our adult cat.

Her first visit to the vet went as well as can be expected for what the vet determined to be a stray 4 or 5 week old kitten that was most likely born in the wild. She had an eye infection in both eyes, terrible congestion, signs of fleas (none visible though), and was malnourished. All other vitals checked out good. The poor kitten had a terrible gargling sound with every breath she took. She weighed a whole 0.5 pound. The vet treated her for worms and gave (read: sold..lol) us medication for her eyes and congestion.

A pic of her initial vet visit:



We pondered bringing her to a family friend that takes care of kittens and finds them new homes or keeping her in our family. My MIL has adopted two kittens from this woman, she takes great care of all the cats that she finds families to adopt them. We are concerned how our adult cat will take to having an addition to the household. The two cats have been separated since Saturday and our adult cat has relaxed so much since her angst filled Saturday. She is now more curious than upset about the kitten in the other room. They will be separated for a few more weeks before we let them have supervised visits together. If all goes well with our cat (which we hope it will), we will be adding this little girl to our family. She is so adorable and friendly. She stole both our hearts.

The kitten, Barnaby, has progressed health-wise in the last few days. Her eyes are better, and her breathing is much less labored. She has a follow up visit this Saturday with the vet. I am sure there will be more vet visits to follow as she is so sickly, but she is worth it.

[stomachmonkey]

Cute.

Good job.

I'd introduce the two as soon as the vet says there is no risk of infecting the 7 yr old.

Better they work it out sooner than later.

[red-beard]

That looks just like mine, 12 years ago...

[Zeke]

They are pretty irresistible at that age. I'm bringing along a feral male that showed up 3 months after the vet killed my female Himalayan. This guy won't be able to live in the house because he will and does spray. But whereas he wouldn't come within 6 feet of me 4 months ago, now he won't stop rubbing on my legs.

Well, a bout with ringworm and he and I don't associate too intimately nowadays, but I will brush him down with a cat brush.

On your cat: I don't think you need to keep them separated for weeks. Two females will get along or they won't. It's just the way it is.

[masraum]

I find that many adult animals will tolerate baby animals to a large degree.

[nostatic]

I love cats but hate kittens. Just too insane...I have enough of that in my life.

Your 7 year old will likely be fine. My now 12 or 13 year old male has had to deal with house changes and new younger cats. He complains for awhile, then they're sleeping together. Then they're fighting. Then they're sleeping together.

They're cats. I swear that mine fight for our entertainment. When we're not home they just sleep next to each other.

[oldE]

They say misery loves company. Good on yeh!

We are back up to eight felines with the occasional pecking order re-establishing.
I don't even like to think about the Vet bills and critter feed with the cats two dogs and three horses.

Then there are compensations. You get silly pics of your pet.



Best
Les

[vas930]

Good for you.
I hope it all works out.

[Rick V]

4 cats here and the pecking order is still up in the air, The itty bitty kitty rules when the environment is close, like under the furniture. In the wide open the old grouchy beiotch rules and if it is just a slug fest the 24 lb rhino is king. Just let them meet and pray they get along. As stated before the older cat will more then likely not hurt the kitten.
Cute cat, nice save.

[pwd72s]

The contract has been signed, sealed, and delivered. Your costs will be repaid many times over!

[72doug2,2S]

Cool story, our dog Sylvia is a rescue dog. She walked through the fields into our back yard when she was just a few months old. She walked up to one of us and immediately rolled over for a tummy pet. She's been with us 3 years now. Spaying surgery, shots, and kennel costs yeah they aren't free, but she's part of the family.

[Halm]

Originally Posted by nostatic

. . . I swear that mine fight for our entertainment. When we're not home they just sleep next to each other.

Our 2 neutered males act exactly the same.

[Flieger]

So cute! Kudos for helping the little one!

[JavaBrewer]

What a great looking kitten! I am more of a cat person but love dogs too. Wife hates cats so well...there it is. Instead I toast tonight with my Bombay Saphire your kittens health and happiness.

[Joeaksa]

Wonder how long before Byron finds this!

Cute cat and I did the same twice before and still have them. They are part of the family now...

[Hugh R]

Our cat was rescued as a feral kitten at Pismo Beach, CA about 12 years ago (we named her Pismo). She was totally wild and has turned into one very smart cat. All the neighbors are amazed that the coyotes haven't gotten her. I'll open the door and she'll sniff at the door and sometimes go back inside if she smells something she doesn't like.

[vash]

cute. please delete this thread before my wife sees it. please.

[Grog]

3 homeless dogs, 1 homeless cat, and one rescue horse to go along with the other horse. It gets exspensive taking care of other peoples throw aways.

[Baz]

Well done Tim! Barnaby is a cutie!

I'm in the club as well - here are my adopted kiddles who just...

....showed up one day FIVE + years ago......



And earlier this year.....sadly there are only three now - never did find out what happened to the fourth....


They are outside cats 24-7 but have a lot of habitat to enjoy.

The girl doggies and girl birdie stay inside:

[Baz]

Tim...embrace the future......