I need to move my Dad's cat to my home....HELP!?

Question

What is the best way to move an outdoor cat to a new home?

Due to my Dad being sick and in the hospital I need to bring his cat to my house. She looks very under nourished and I know for a fact she competes for her food against a raccoon. She will have to stay outside once she gets here. I have 3 cats and can't have any more inside the house. If you have any ideas on how to do this smoothly please let me know. And for those of you who want to ask why she is under nourished my Dad has been very ill for a long time and I think he didn't realize she was looking so horrible. So please no comments on that. Thanks in advance for the help

Answer 1

You must keep your dad's cat in doors for two weeks, otherwise he will run away. after that let him in to eat, separately from your other cats, and let him back out.

If you really can't cope , try seeing if a friend or family member will help.

Or an animal shelter , I hope it works out, and your dad gets better. good luck

Answer 2

Sorry.. what? You are going to keep her outside all the time? So she is going to basically be a stray! You cannot do this. Why can't you have four cats in your home? Besides, no way will a cat stay in one place after being shoved in your garden.

The only thing you can do is take her to a shelter (that doesn't put healthy animals down). You cannot expect this cat to live outside for the rest of her life.

Last of all, I have four cats. Can't is a word you are using to try and justify this.

I'm sorry to hear about your father, I know you must have a lot on your mind, but their really no excuse for this..

Answer 3

Totti#1,

First of all the most important thing to do is to bring this kitty to the vet to learn just why this cat is undernourished. You write that she is competing for her food with a raccoon, so that could be part of the reason, but there could be underlying conditions which is causing her to be so unthrifty. Once you rule out any medical conditions, then proper feeding of a high quality food, should help her gain the weight back. Since your dad is so ill, and I am so sorry to hear about that,

he may not have been able to care for her in the way he wanted.

Cats have territories, and it may be very difficult to keep this kitty close to your home. In fact, she may try and wander back to your dad's area, as that is her territory. Cats have been known to travel long distances to return "home."

If it is at all possible, while this cat is recouperating and putting on weight, to find a place in your home for her, where she will be isolated from your other cats? I know that can be very difficult, and stressful for everyone concerned, but hopefully your dad will recover and be able to have his cat returned to him.

As an alternative, perhaps you can find a friend doesn't have cats or dogs, and "foster" her while your dad is in the hospital and while he  recouperates at home.  Depending on how long he will be hospitalized, if no friends are available, consider boarding her at your vet's office, either until you can find someone or she can be returned home.

Moving an outdoor cat to another outdoor environment is very difficult, and with her poor condition, perhaps still having to compete with raccoons or other critters, she may find herself in the same situation, or attempt to go back home. They are SUCH territorial animals.

If you cannot find a temporary foster home, you might consider building an enclosure for this kitty. Here are some instructions and some information about how to proceed. At least this will protect the kitty from other animals, and you will be able to know just what she is consuming in the way of food and water.  If the cat is used to a litter box, of course, please supply one for her in the enclosure, and make a safe haven for bad weather, in which she will be dry and warm.

http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/Outdoor-Cat...

It really is a difficult situation in which you find yourself. I feel for you, and thanks for looking out for your dad's cat.

Good luck with this kitty, and hope this gives you some useful suggestions.

Troublesniffer

Owned by cats for over 40 years

Former breeder of Oriental Shorthairs and Siamese cats

http://frequentlyfeline.blogspot.com/