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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsA racoon is trying to come in through the doggie door and eat the cat food!!!
I have one cat that I took in over 3 years ago after she started living in my yard. Now there's another cat that's been living in my yard who I've pretty much taken in since the owner, who lives a block away, has ignored my texts telling her he's come back here. I had taken him in to a vet after a couple weeks when the job I was on at the time ended and I had time, and he's microchipped. So I got them reunited, but she had said she didn't even know he was missing. After 2 weeks! She just puts food outside for him since he didn't like to stay inside and said she figured he was okay since the food was gone. Well there's plenty of squirrels, possums, skunks, raccoons and coyotes here. And the poor things was starving for affection as much as he was starving for food. He was skin and bones and even then he opted for affection before he started eating the food I gave him. Such a sweetie.
So he and I have adopted each other. I showed him the doggie door and it's made him more comfortable coming inside since he knows he can go back out whenever he wants. During the last half hour a raccoon has tried to use it twice! So I had to block it off. Mr.Cat is outside. I hope he doesn't want to come in during the night. Hopefully after he gets more comfortable here I can block him in overnight like I do with my current cat. She likes to be inside at night now.
My current cat chased a raccoon out of the kitchen once, but she's not that big and I don't want any fights.
Should I get rabies shots for the cats? I know raccoons can carry it.
Skittles
(153,193 posts)yes indeed
cui bono
(19,926 posts)I know dogs have to have rabies shots, it's even a requirement to get a license.
I'm more of a dog person with cats.
I'm taking Mr.Cat to the vet next week for a full check up and so I'll take my girl in too. Hopefully I can get hold of the previous owner and get her to change the microchip info to mine. It's been over 2 months since I told her he came back here. She came and picked him up last time so she knows where I live, so even if she didn't get the texts she hasn't come looking for him. He is the most beautiful and sweetest cat too.
Thanks!
Rhiannon12866
(206,084 posts)When I suggested to the vet that my cat might not need unnecessary shots because she was an indoor cat, I was told by - not one, but two vet offices - that my cat could be in real trouble if, for example, a bat somehow got loose in my house. I laughed off the remote possibility, but got my cat her required shots, anyway. And then I learned, not from one, but from two of my coworkers, that this exact thing had happened to one of them and to the other's sister! The sister's pets were current with their inoculations, but the sister and her little girl were required to get rabies shots. As for the other coworker, she had the choice of paying to put her two cats in quarantine or having them put down. So my indoor cats get whatever inoculations the vet recommends...
cui bono
(19,926 posts)When I was a kid we lived in Greece and every evening would see bats flying around in the yard, if it was summer we'd be outside having dinner and they were just 30' or so away. Haven't seen any around here though. I don't have screens on my windows so I hope they don't show up in the neighborhood!
Okay, I will get them both vaccinated! Thanks!
Rhiannon12866
(206,084 posts)So you can imagine my surprise when I heard about this exact experience from two coworkers who I know well. I don't see bats around here, either, but evidently they are around at night.
Skittles
(153,193 posts)or if they are nose to nose with strays through a window screen - that kind of stuff
Rhiannon12866
(206,084 posts)But, after dismissing such an unlikely scenario which was brought up to me at both vet's offices, I was awfully shocked to learn that this had actually happened - and to two people I knew. And my indoor cat did get out once, fortunately no further than the porch.
eShirl
(18,504 posts)cui bono
(19,926 posts)how it works.
First I might just put a smaller pet door, a cat one rather than a dog one.
Although, turns out Mr.Cat was inside when I blocked the door off last night. I didn't see him anywhere so I thought he had gone back outside. If he doesn't mind it then I'll just close it off after dark and show him where the cat bathroom is!