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In reply to the discussion: I need some advice from people who are cat savvy (UPDATED WITH PICTURES) [View all]Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)I'm no cat expert, but I did find and adopt a stray cat once, who became my beloved Puddin'head. I later adopted a rescue cat. And I late bought a purebred Himalayan.
The cat I found outside as a stray was not an "outside" cat as your neighbor is calling it. He means "feral." Feral cats are wild and would never rub up against your leg or put your paw on your foot. People dump or lose their pet cats all the time.
When I found and adopted my stray, I coralled him, got him into a carrier somehow & took him to the vet for an exam. Altho he scratched the vet and was kinda wild, the vet told me he'd be a good pet. He wasn't acting "feral."
As long as it's above freezing, the cat should be fine, except I'd put something out there for comfort and warmth.
What I made for a rabbit in my yard one cold winter:
I found a box, turned it upside down, cut a round "door" on one end.
To make it moisture proof, I fir duct taped some of that pink fluffy thick insulation that has paper on one side, and on top of that, duct taped some sheet silver insulation all around it. I had some of that stuff already. I put something plastic on top - I think it was the bottom of a one of those drains you use by the side of the sink in the kitchen to drain dishes. I also put something plastic in the bottom, for a floor, with a lightweight blankie on top.
I put the box-house under a thick bush, for protection from critters and moisture.
On top the box-house I draped something so that it would partly cover the door I'd carved out in the box, for protection from wind and from other critters finding their way into it so easily.
It looked pretty comfy cozy to me. I saw signs that the rabbit used the house.
If you could put the house under covering on your porch, that'd be great.
I wouldn't put a flea collar on her, since she's pregnant. After she has the kittens, and whenever it's safe for the kittens, you can give them to a shelter - kittens will get adopted fairly quickly, I think. Then you can get her into a carrier and take her to the vet to get an exam and get her fixed.
If it were me, and if I decided to keep her, I'd probably get her into a carrier and get her to a vet now, though. And possibly get her an abortion (and fixed at the same time, if possible and safe). But she'd need a safe, secure place to recuperate (a garage?), free from possible encounters with racoons or other critters (or are you in a city?).
Cats take to litter boxes naturally, if you decide to bring her in (after she's examined by a vet and free from fleas). She might have a couple of accidents at first because it's a new place and a new system, but should be fine.
I have a friend who is involved in rescuing cats and has dealt with ferals quite a bit. I can ask her info, if you want.
I am a dog person and have had mainly dogs. But I will say that I absolutely loved Puddin'head, the stray I found. He was my pal and a wonderful, loving, and funny cat. Cats need less attention and tending than dogs. Cats and dogs CAN get along; it depends on the cat and the dog. One of my cats hated my dog, but they just avoided each other, so it was no problem. My other cat liked the dog just fine. I didn't have a dog when I had Puddin'head.
Female cats can act a little weirder than male cats. It's the opposite of dogs. With dogs, the males are the independent, more aggressive ones. With cats, it's the females.
As for her staying around if you feed her, is that a problem? That wouldn't be a problem for me. I'd probably have her pregnancy aborted, though, if it were safe, just to avoid more unwanted cats in teh world.