Taking in a Stray Cat

rising_from_the_ashes

johanne wrote: »

awww!!!

we rescued a semi-feral cat in dec from a scout campsite we go to in the middle of the countryside. We knew her from our visits and know she is an old thing (about 11!!) she was past her belly in snow, water bowl had frozen over (as had the local river) was no signs of food bowls anywherwe and the cardboard box with an old cushion in they'd provided as a bed was soaked through...nobody was at the camp and looked like they hadnt been for days as the snow was days old and we were the first tracks and they wouldnt be back for least 2 weeks due to christmas...we were only there ourselves as my exes dads ashes are there and we were taking christmas wreathes to lay... Poor thing ran over to us as we pulled into the car park and she jumped into my arms! at that point i knew i had to take her home or she'd die.........and she sat in my back footwell the 30 mins drive home quite content eating bernard matthews turkey breast slices and drinking a bottle of evian i bought from the nearest garage...:rotfl::rotfl:

I said shed only come home with us and live at mine for 6 weeks or so till the weather picked up, people would be back at the camp and she'd put on some weight as could feel her whole skeleton Roll on 7 months later - the little fatty has just been sent outside whilst i clear up the chicken bones from tonights tea shes just scavanged from the bin whilst i was out (i got too attached!!!!!! :rotfl:) I suppose my point is.... be prepared to fall madly in love - it wont be easy at first as your furniture will probably get scratched despite him/her using the scratch post you paid a small fortune for, and if theyve fended for themselves they probably WILL scavange for food a bit more than a totally domesticated cat...... we cant leave a plate on the dining table for 2 mins unattended as she will jump up and try steal the food or lick the plate!:rotfl: And till they get used to where the litter tray is - and you dont know if they will actually use it... it can get messy!! :eek: But i wouldnt swap her for the world now
i just wanted to applaud you for being willing to take the cat in.... alot of rescues are full at the moment and cant help anymore animals as people are abandoning them due to financial implications etc and they are so short of houses... so your really helping the poor thing I'd rehome more cats but no local rescues will because i have a little girl who is 3 and they wont rehome animals in houses with under 5's

Awww Johanne, that's lovely, poor wee mite has probably had a fairly hard life - until now!:D Glad she's landed on her paws for her latter years.

I really don't get some rescue's rules - yes I can see dogs not being placed with very young kids, but cats!

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

You could always post a photo of his nether regions for us to check for you

jazabelle wrote: »

I can't see any, and where as I've looked after a male cat before and it was quite obvious. The cats a bit of a wriggler though, so it's hard to tell!

Ohhhhh myyyyy!:rotfl:

jazabelle

Okay, I think I caught sight of his 'nether regions' today, so I think it is a boy.

The cat rescue place just phoned to say they've booked him at their vets for 8am tomorrow. He's in the cat pen glaring at me as we speak. The cat rescue place also mentioned HIV and Leukaemia and that they put down cats with it, and would I be able to do that (but it was up to me.) I said if he had a condition that would cause him pain, or spread to other cats I suppose I'd have to, but obviously wouldn't want to.

So the things I'm going to ask the vet:

- confirmation of sex
- scan for a microchip
- Approx age
- Check for fleas/worms
- What are the scabby patches on him, and how do we treat it?
- Check for bladder problems
- Check for HIV and Leukaemia
- Can we put a new microchip in if no owners
- Can we do vaccinations/boosters

Have I missed anything please?[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]How will he be after the operation? Groggy? In pain? Or will he be okay by the time we pick him up?[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]

jazabelle

Back from the vet. Button is a boy! He has no microchip and has not been neutered. The vet guesses his age to be only about 1 to 18 months. I had no idea he was so young.

Today he will be neutered, microchipped, wormed and given flea treatment.

I will save up and get him vaccinated soon, but it's going to cost about £70 which I don't have right now. Has anyone heard of any vaccincation offers please?

jazabelle

The Vets4Pets pay £99 for a lifetime looks good, but there don't seem to be any at all in the South East.

Do any other vets do anything like that please?

Froglet

As vaccination is so important in a cat that spends a lot of time outside,maybe the vet would let you pay over a period of time,especially as you are having all the other treatments.Why not appeal to his better nature! especially as you have been so kind and rescued this cat .Looking forward to hearing how he gets on.

If you are on benefits you can get low cost neutering from the Cat protection or maybe RSPCA but it might be too late to ask now.

spike7451

Froglet wrote: »

As vaccination is so important in a cat that spends a lot of time outside,maybe the vet would let you pay over a period of time,especially as you are having all the other treatments.Why not appeal to his better nature! especially as you have been so kind and rescued this cat .Looking forward to hearing how he gets on.

If you are on benefits you can get low cost neutering from the Cat protection or maybe RSPCA but it might be too late to ask now.

Most vets who put the animal care foremost will let you do this.I'm currently paying off two trips to the vets in a week (the bum & flu incidents) with Daisy a couple of weeks ago.
Just explain the situation to the vet when you phone up to book an appointment & it should be ok.

~Chameleon~

jazabelle wrote: »

Back from the vet. Button is a boy! He has no microchip and has not been neutered. The vet guesses his age to be only about 1 to 18 months. I had no idea he was so young.

I was fairly spot on then!

Would it be worth you asking the rescue for help towards cost of vaccinations? He would after all have been their responsibility had they not been full when you enquired so you've actually saved them money by taking him in yourself

jazabelle

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I was fairly spot on then!

Would it be worth you asking the rescue for help towards cost of vaccinations? He would after all have been their responsibility had they not been full when you enquired so you've actually saved them money by taking him in yourself

Yes you were!

I feel bad asking them after they've paid for the neutering.

I'm not on any benefits so don't qualify for the PDSA help, although my income is about £5000 a year, as I'm disabled and can only work a few days a week.

I will give the vets a ring now and ask if I can pay in installments. I don't want to put the injections off either.

jazabelle

No, they won't do installments at all.

spike7451

jazabelle wrote: »

No, they won't do installments at all.

Ask on Purrs &/or Cat Chat,they may know somewhere that can help you out.