My cat died about 4 weeks ago (I've been posting in the death and dying section). While she was sick, I was trying to coax her into eating food, so I found a canned food that tempted her. Well, it also tempted a new friend in the neighborhood to come by. Only when I am home, I leave my slider open for my younger cat (9 years ) to go in and out as she wants (she stays in the backyard because she is a true scardy cat). So this stray cat was also tempted by this canned food and started to sneak in to eat food. I was feeding my elderly kitty as many times as I could during the day to keep her nourished as much as possible so she had plenty of eating opportunities (this stray cat was eating my elderly kitties leftovers).

So I've never in my life fed a stray cat regularly. But this one was pretty thin and with all these foreclosures around, I figure might have been abandoned. Because my cat at the time was so sickly and losing weight, I couldn't bare to see this poor stray kitty look so thin. So to stop this kitty from sneaking in (the stray cat was scared of me), I started to put my elderly kitties leftover canned food outside for this kitty.

My elderly kitty just died recently, and now I have this outside stray cat that I am still feeding. I've recently been able to touch him. He is still very wary of me, but he is interested in my female cat (who is spayed). My cat is a scardy cat, so she does not like him. He tries to sneak in my house, but I keep him out since she doesn't like him.

Right now I continue to feed this cat. He is still thin. He is not fixed which I find a problem. I am thinking about trapping him to get him fixed, but I'm trying to win him over so don't want to scare him too much. I'm still not totally certain what to do...I don't want to mess up my other kitty. I generally don't believe in outside cats, but I guess it is not too awful as long as he is fixed.

I can't tell how old he is. He is black with a few gray hairs here and there. His teeth appear quite white. His ears are not cut or ripped. His back legs seem to be a little stiff. So maybe he's older? But then again he jumps the fence really well.

So...is this a new beginning? Maybe??

Also! My indoor cat has all her shots. I am concerned about the health of this stray cat and possible disease issues. He seems wide eyed and alert...just thin.

Once you have developed some trust I would suggest having him neutered, shots given, FELV tested, treated for fleas, and possibly dewormed. Bring him in and isolate him from any other furkids you have for a few days. Gradually introduce him to the family. Once his health is improved and he becomes acclimated to the other cat and to indoor life he will probably take to it well. Our Daddy Cat took about a month to acclimate. After that initial period of adjustment he was extremely happy. Good luck with your new furkid!! You have made a great start.

All the best,
Ken Albin

Ken--thanks for your advice. I really do want to make him part of my home. I think I am gaining his trust and am hoping I can win this outside kitty over.

I love Daddy Cat's tribute page. What a great cat! My cat Pushkin, who died 4 weeks ago also had a great purr. I had her for 16 1/2 years. She was my first cat and I thought all cats had great purrs. I was so wrong! I love my other kitty too, but I miss that purr. Luckily I made a video of her while she was purring.

Oh that's so sweet!!. Gain his/her trust and slowely introduce to the other cat. I found a stray in my backyard many years ago. I had already had an 11yr old cat at the time. It took me 4 mo to let her in. They didn't care for eachother, but got along evetually and"Daisy Jane" became my whole world. So much so it took me 16yrs to love another cat without guilt. I wish you the best with your new friend. Ann

Just this morning a stray showed up on my back deck, eating sunflower seeds that spilled from the feeder. Of course, I left out a bowl. It seems so strange...when we lose a cat, some kind of "Cat Wanted" call goes out on the Cat Channel, and they start showing up. I do have a New Hire, so am not sure what is going to happen.

Miles came into my life 13 years ago, exactly in the same way. This new stray is a long-haired black cat who looks just like her.
It took a while to get Mile's trust, then the vet trips, etc. Read her story on my sigfile below and see what happened! She turned into a most special cat, a once-in-a-lifetime one.
You never can tell....

Good luck with your stray kitty. They need time and patience. Sounds like you are doing well to touch him. As long as your kitty has her shots (which you said she does), she should be okay.
Have you given him a name? When you talk to him..say his name...maybe that will help.

My 3 kittens were born to a feral mom that I tried to tame but she never let anyone near her. She had her kittens in my backyard, moved them to a neighbor then moved them back. I guess she decided our yard was the safest. She was so beautiful ..I took her picture. She would eat but only if I walked away. She had no interest in coming into our house. So you have a lot of pluses going for you.

As far as other advice, I think Ken said it best..he understands shelter type kitties and has good advice.

Keep us updated. And think about a name....

Judy

I'm still working with the stray kitty. I know I should come up with a name, but I am still uncertain if he wants to be a permanent resident of my yard! He waits outside my sliding glass door each morning for breakfast and is ready when I come home from work for dinner. I can touch/pet his head briefly right before he eats. Sometimes he will sniff my finger other times of the day. He also doesn't dart away when I come into the yard; he's calm as long as I don't approach him. From time to time he enters my house through my open sliding glass door, sometimes meowing, but is a little concerned, so he goes back out. He is very interested in my cat Loki, but Loki doesn't like him to approach her. But he is a good cat and doesn't push it when Loki hisses at him. Both cats seem to coexist fine in the backyard (when Loki goes outside on outings) as long as the stray kitty doesn't approach Loki.

So right now, I am thinking about cooler weather and how to keep this stray kitty warm. He seems in many ways to be an elderly kitty, but it could be that he is just skinny from being abandoned.

This kitty is so lucky to have found you. You give him the time and patience he is needing. Maybe it was MEANT to be. Hopefully before the cold weather you gain more of his trust. Yes, I agree with LoveThem that Ken knows what he is talking about.

I too would like to make an addition to my family, but am afraid of how the others will react. Since mine have all grown up together they may not adjust well.

Wishing you much luck with the new kitty/cat.

Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless you Beth for caring of this wonderful kitty that has been abandoned. The patience you exude with him will pay off in spades. I just know in time, he will be rubbing up on your legs and purring. This story is such a happy one. With everything is going on in this world, this one warms my heart.

I'll keep checking in to see updates of your story with this wonderful kitty. Thank you for smiling down on this precious soul. He evidently needs you as you need him. You are both truly blessed that you found each other and I know your loss has turned into a "gain". YES, this is a New Beginning story of the best kind.

Michelle

About cooler weather..I see you are in Northern CA...depends on where. Most of CA it is not too bad. But if in the mountains with snow..that is much colder.

A neighbor of mine has made friends with a stray cat. What she did is get a condo on a pole and put it outside. When it is cold the cat sleeps in there. I guess he feels safer if it is high so he can tell if another stray cat may be on the prowl. I assume it has 2 exits..one to get out if someone comes in the other way.

In light cooler weather...a cardboard box with towels or a blanket might be used by the stray.

Just some thoughts for you...

Thanks Loved One. I am thinking it might be warm enough where I live. I like the idea of the cardboard box with blankets. Any other advice is welcomed!

About the cardboard box...again...make sure it is set up in such a way that the cat can escape if another stray sneaked into the area. They do hear very well so probably wouldn't let one come in or just try a regular setup with the box and see what he does. I think they always want to feel safe..from predators so think of that when you picture setting something up.

That cat condo my neighbor has was just a small round one. I'm not sure how she did it cause she didn't have any cats.

I have usually kept a bowl of water outside when I know a stray is hanging around. I have fed them also and taken up the dish right away...no ants and no others to take his food.

When I had an outside shed, a feral mom cat put her babies in there to be warm (and the doors were shut with a little space...don't know how she did it but...I got my 3 kitties I raised from her).