Would like advice regarding a cat lurking in our yard...

I have noticed this animal for several weeks in our backyard at different times. My son is convinced that it is living under our deck, at the very least it occasionally naps there.

Last night we were dogsitting our daughter's Corgi while she was at work. He was in the yard and we noticed he and the cat having a grand game of chase. They were getting along quite well. My son, being the softy that he is put some of our cats' food out and the cat just inhaled it. Tonight the cat came up to me while I was picking tomatoes and let me pet it. It appeared to be quite healthy and I noticed it had been declawed.

What should I do? We already have 3 indoor cats and my wife is not too keen on adding a fourth. If it were up to my son we would have already adopted it and I have to say it's quite friendly and has won me over. Should I just keep an eye on it and see if it keeps coming back? Should we leave food out for it? I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not. I would appreciate any advice.

Please don't be offended that I keep referring to the cat as "it". I didn't pick it up and check.

...If you can't "adopt" it, perhaps you could temporarily house it until you can find it a new home. By being declawed, it is probably not used to being outside, and was probably abandoned by an irresponsible owner...:grr: Please do what you can to temporarily house him/her. He/she is very vulnerable right now without its claws.

please take it in. You can foster it. Contact a no kill shelter in your area if you absolutely can't. It is extremely dangerous for an unarmed cat to be about outdoors. You already know it gets along with dogs, it will likely get along with your cats too. Make sure your cats are vaccinated before you allow contact though, and try to get the animal to a vet.

Please take her inside until a more permanent home can be found. Besides, your wife might soften to her after a day or two. ;) Good luck, and let us know what happens ok?

you might check ads, humane society listings, signs in neighborhood to see if anyone's lost a cat. I'd be careful about putting out "found" ads because you can get some real whackos answering it who may or may not be the cat's real owner (I had it happen to me when I found a cat-- luckily the cat ran away and came back to my house!) I figure if someone can't bother to post some ads then I wouldn't want to give the cat back to them anyway.

If that doesn't pan out (and most likely it won't, its shocking how many people don't even bother to look for their missing pets) then look for a home- screen the possible new owners by asking them about how the cat will be cared for and ask to get visiting rights. You'll deliver the animal so you'll know where they live. Not that you're going to be harassing them but you want to check in a few weeks. Some people ask for $$$ to defray costs, with the idea that that will dissuade animal abusers. Vet references might be good. Don't bother with people who balk at this or seem annoyed that you are screening. I've found that the people who really care about animals are the ones which understand and are happy to go along with the process. I wouldn't take the animal to the humane soc. because they'll just have to do what you could otherwise do (find a home) and possibly the animal would be killed if no home found. The only time I did that was once when one of my foundlings was spraying all over my house and upsetting my own cats. (since he was superfriendly he did get a home eventually.) Otherwise, I think I've found homes for about 7 or 8 cats total. It can take some doing but it can be done. The one you found (or I should say who found YOU) sounds like a nice friendly cat so you should have no problems. Play up the fact he likes dogs.

compliment. :evilgrin: remember, cat karma is hell. If you don't take this one in, three more will come back at you later.

Some things are "meant" to be - especially with our little fur babies!

It seems that this kitty has chosen your family for some reason :) I guarantee that your wife would get attached pretty darn quickly! Because the kitty is declawed, he really is a sitting duck if left outdoors - he can't climb trees or fight back if attacked, nor can he catch food to eat. Since he gets along well with your doggie, could you perhaps at least temporarily bring him inside? Sounds like he's very hungry and has either become lost or abandoned intentionally.

You could try bringing him inside for now, and giving him some food and water regularly (he sounds like he isn't getting much outdoors since he cannot catch anything to eat). Also check the local humane society/SPCA and see if anyone is missing a kitty with that description.

I personally think this kitty chose you for a reason, and I'd bring the little fur baby inside. Sounds like he/she has had a pretty rouch life the last couple weeks - he/she is very fortunate to have found a kind soul like you :)

we instituted a zero-pet population growth policy

we had two dogs and 4 cats...

well, a foster greyhound we took care of last fall came back to the greyhound organization. We had fallen in love with her during her time with us as a foster... when she was returned we adopted her

so it became 3 dogs and 4 cats

two weeks ago I brought home a kitten from work - it had a bad cold. The plan was to nurse it back to health and then bring it to the shelter...

that was two weeks ago... kitten has been named Calypso -- she's now a member of the family...

Here's a pic of the "zero-pet-population policy" breakers...
Mint (the greyhound) and by her rear legs is Calypso

least while you actively try to adopt him out. My daughter had too many cats for a while, and they didn't even get along, had to be kept in separate rooms, but, she put up with it for a few months and eventually was able to adopt one out. So, it was a pain in the ass but it was worth it, because, kitty got a good home in the end. Your little meow sounds helpless. Yes, you really have quite a few cats already. Hope it won't take too long finding the newbie a home. Don't forget to ask people in the checkout line at the store, new people at work, school, got to remember to ask, ask, and don't give up till you find the right home. Thanks for feeding him.