FireGoddess
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2005
- Messages
- 12,145
I thought I''d pose this question to the PSers, thinking someone has encountered this sort of situation before? We have moved and now live on a pretty busy street. We noticed a feral cat while we were moving (it ran right into the empty house when we were moving some boxes) and was very affectionate, rubbing against us and purring, etc like it was used to human contact. It did try to play a little too aggressively though, actually nipping me and breaking the skin. I shooed it out after that. Anyway, it is hanging around the house and the neighbors houses all the time. I also noticed 2 more stray cats in the backyard last week. I call them stray because I did not approach them and do not know if they are friendly or not.
Anyway, being an animal lover with my own cat I have several concerns. I am not going to attempt to interact with the strays but the little feral kitty keeps trying to come in the house. The other morning I was outside and it ran between my legs and wanted to be petted. I asked the neighbor if she knew whose cat it was, and she said she didn''t, that it was always hanging around going from house to house, and she couldn''t take it in because she already has a cat and 2 dogs. I decided to feed it and see how it reacted - it was like the cat had never seen food before. That led me to believe nobody owns or is feeding the cat. There is no collar on her either. I have been debating trying to catch her and bring her to the ASPCA or something so she could be scanned for a microchip and if there is none, be checked out and placed in a good home. I''ve seen the cats dart across the busy street and it''s seriously an accident waiting to happen. I''d also like to avoid the 3 cats I''ve now seen becoming something like 30 cats if they aren''t neutered or spayed.
So...the question! Has anyone dealt with strays? Have you taken them to the ASPCA or somewhere else? The cat doesn''t appear abused so I don''t think calling the ASPCA to come find her would be appropriate? Any advice appreciated!
BTW - I would consider taking her in (after being checked out of course!) but my current kitty is a ''one cat only'' pet. I''d love to keep the feral around and feed her myself but I think it''s selfish to want to see her instead of find her a good home. However, I don''t want to catch this cat and take her somewhere that there''s a chance of her being put down. If that''s the case, I''d rather just make sure she''s fixed and then leave her be.
Anyway, being an animal lover with my own cat I have several concerns. I am not going to attempt to interact with the strays but the little feral kitty keeps trying to come in the house. The other morning I was outside and it ran between my legs and wanted to be petted. I asked the neighbor if she knew whose cat it was, and she said she didn''t, that it was always hanging around going from house to house, and she couldn''t take it in because she already has a cat and 2 dogs. I decided to feed it and see how it reacted - it was like the cat had never seen food before. That led me to believe nobody owns or is feeding the cat. There is no collar on her either. I have been debating trying to catch her and bring her to the ASPCA or something so she could be scanned for a microchip and if there is none, be checked out and placed in a good home. I''ve seen the cats dart across the busy street and it''s seriously an accident waiting to happen. I''d also like to avoid the 3 cats I''ve now seen becoming something like 30 cats if they aren''t neutered or spayed.

So...the question! Has anyone dealt with strays? Have you taken them to the ASPCA or somewhere else? The cat doesn''t appear abused so I don''t think calling the ASPCA to come find her would be appropriate? Any advice appreciated!
BTW - I would consider taking her in (after being checked out of course!) but my current kitty is a ''one cat only'' pet. I''d love to keep the feral around and feed her myself but I think it''s selfish to want to see her instead of find her a good home. However, I don''t want to catch this cat and take her somewhere that there''s a chance of her being put down. If that''s the case, I''d rather just make sure she''s fixed and then leave her be.