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#1
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What to Do - Abandoned Kitty
A number of weeks ago, we found this very little kitty meowing in our
backyard by our shed. It looks like the offspring of a wild cat we had living under our shed last winter (Minnesota, can wild cats survive the winters here?). Days passed and the kitty was looking very thin and weak so we decided to feed it. We never ever saw the mother return so we believe it has been abandoned. We have continued to feed it and the kitty now allows us to come very close to it. My wife actually picked it up yesterday. My concern is that this is a wild cat and would be very difficult to domesticate. And I really hate the thought of bringing it into our home and having to have it declawed. So our option is to continue feeding it and keeping it outside, or call the humane society (not my wifes preference). If we could somehow keep the cat wild and outside, but provide shelter for the Minnesota winter, I would think this would be a reasonable solution. We live in a suburb, not even remotely close to woods or farmland, so natural food source is probably out of the question during the winter. The best solution would be to try and domesticate without declawing and teaching it to use a scratching post, but I don't think this would be possible. Any opinions or advise. This is a really cute cat and we have grown somewhat attached to it. |
#2
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The best
solution would be to try and domesticate without declawing and teaching it to use a scratching post, but I don't think this would be possible. Any opinions or advise. This is a really cute cat and we have grown somewhat attached to it. Why wouldn't that be possible? Especially with a very young cat, it will adapt readily to its environment. Even an old cat will. When my mother died, my sister had to take the cat -- who had always lived outside and refused to go inside -- to her home in New Jersey where it had to adapt to indoor-only life with her three cats. My mother lived near Palm Springs, CA. The cat, which was quite old, did fine and lived happily for several years. Cats will respond to kindness. You can teach them to use scratching posts. Be firm and vigilant and get lots of scratching posts. It's easier with just one. Two sort of gang up on you. Four, I discovered, is impossible. http://www.madmousergraphics.com web design, print design, photography |
#3
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On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 11:08:40 -0500, "Curtis Fox"
wrote: A number of weeks ago, we found this very little kitty meowing in our backyard by our shed. It looks like the offspring of a wild cat we had living under our shed last winter (Minnesota, can wild cats survive the winters here?). Days passed and the kitty was looking very thin and weak so we decided to feed it. We never ever saw the mother return so we believe it has been abandoned. We have continued to feed it and the kitty now allows us to come very close to it. My wife actually picked it up yesterday. My concern is that this is a wild cat and would be very difficult to domesticate. And I really hate the thought of bringing it into our home and having to have it declawed. So our option is to continue feeding it and keeping it outside, or call the humane society (not my wifes preference). If we could somehow keep the cat wild and outside, but provide shelter for the Minnesota winter, I would think this would be a reasonable solution. We live in a suburb, not even remotely close to woods or farmland, so natural food source is probably out of the question during the winter. The best solution would be to try and domesticate without declawing and teaching it to use a scratching post, but I don't think this would be possible. Any opinions or advise. This is a really cute cat and we have grown somewhat attached to it. Is there a Vet in your area who could look at it and determine whether it is s wild breed or a feral domestic breed (or combination of the two)? tThis could help you decide. If it is truly a wild breed, perhaps a zoo would be willing to accept it. I doubt it would be able to live on its own in the wild. Good luck. MLB |
#4
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MLB,
The cat is wild as in feral, *not* a lynx, bobcat or otherwise. And it seems she is not so wild since she has allowed some handling. She'll make a good pet with some love and attention (and a spay.) Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#5
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A kitten is a kitten is a kitten. I've been working with feral-born kittens for a long time now, and I know. Please please please don't declaw. Visit the Campus Cats website for some pointers on socialization, but I doubt you even need them. All you need add for a small kitten is hands-on love. Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats Seattle www.campuscats.org |
#6
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I just finished fostering a 'feral' kitten found at age 8-10 weeks. He was
just adopted & was as sweet & loving as could be. All my four guys were 'feral' kittens when found & are quite content to live the good life indoors. Take the little guy in. Keep him in bathroom or other small room with a litter box & food & water (not too close to litter box) for a couple of days & then let him loose. My little foster stayed pretty much under my bed for a few more days, coming out only when it was quiet or dark. Within a week, he was rolling around with the other guys & coming to eat in the kitchen with the big guys! Three weeks later, he was sleeping on the bed, the sofa, or any place else that struck his fancy.... I fostered him because shelter said he was feral, would hiss at anyone who came close, etc. etc. By the way, he had just started using scratching post so declawing not necessary. I will tell you, however, that when we picked him up on the street he put up quite a struggle, scratching & trying to bite to save his life! 3 1/2 weeks later,,,, no problem. so take him in before it gets cold! "Curtis Fox" wrote in message ... A number of weeks ago, we found this very little kitty meowing in our backyard by our shed. It looks like the offspring of a wild cat we had living under our shed last winter (Minnesota, can wild cats survive the winters here?). Days passed and the kitty was looking very thin and weak so we decided to feed it. We never ever saw the mother return so we believe it has been abandoned. We have continued to feed it and the kitty now allows us to come very close to it. My wife actually picked it up yesterday. My concern is that this is a wild cat and would be very difficult to domesticate. And I really hate the thought of bringing it into our home and having to have it declawed. So our option is to continue feeding it and keeping it outside, or call the humane society (not my wifes preference). If we could somehow keep the cat wild and outside, but provide shelter for the Minnesota winter, I would think this would be a reasonable solution. We live in a suburb, not even remotely close to woods or farmland, so natural food source is probably out of the question during the winter. The best solution would be to try and domesticate without declawing and teaching it to use a scratching post, but I don't think this would be possible. Any opinions or advise. This is a really cute cat and we have grown somewhat attached to it. |
#7
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"Curtis Fox" wrote in message ... A number of weeks ago, we found this very little kitty meowing in our backyard by our shed. It looks like the offspring of a wild cat we had living under our shed last winter (Minnesota, can wild cats survive the winters here?). Days passed and the kitty was looking very thin and weak so we decided to feed it. We never ever saw the mother return so we believe it has been abandoned. We have continued to feed it and the kitty now allows us to come very close to it. My wife actually picked it up yesterday. My concern is that this is a wild cat and would be very difficult to domesticate. And I really hate the thought of bringing it into our home and having to have it declawed. So our option is to continue feeding it and keeping it outside, or call the humane society (not my wifes preference). If we could somehow keep the cat wild and outside, but provide shelter for the Minnesota winter, I would think this would be a reasonable solution. We live in a suburb, not even remotely close to woods or farmland, so natural food source is probably out of the question during the winter. The best solution would be to try and domesticate without declawing and teaching it to use a scratching post, but I don't think this would be possible. Any opinions or advise. This is a really cute cat and we have grown somewhat attached to it. If this kitten has allowed you to handle him, he's no longer really "feral" and is well on his way to being tame. Kittens are quite adaptible, and there is absolutely NO reason that you cannot bring this baby into your home and make an excellent pet of him. Declawing is NOT "mandatory" for indoor cats. They are quite intelligent and can learn rapidly what is and isn't acceptible to claw---if you really make an effort to train him. Don't expect it to "just happen". Have a strategy. And, please do not cut the little baby's toes off. Sunflower |
#8
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"Sunflower" wrote in message
... "Curtis Fox" wrote in message ... A number of weeks ago, we found this very little kitty meowing in our backyard by our shed. It looks like the offspring of a wild cat we had living under our shed last winter (Minnesota, can wild cats survive the winters here?). Days passed and the kitty was looking very thin and weak so we decided to feed it. We never ever saw the mother return so we believe it has been abandoned. We have continued to feed it and the kitty now allows us to come very close to it. My wife actually picked it up yesterday. My concern is that this is a wild cat and would be very difficult to domesticate. And I really hate the thought of bringing it into our home and having to have it declawed. So our option is to continue feeding it and keeping it outside, or call the humane society (not my wifes preference). If we could somehow keep the cat wild and outside, but provide shelter for the Minnesota winter, I would think this would be a reasonable solution. We live in a suburb, not even remotely close to woods or farmland, so natural food source is probably out of the question during the winter. The best solution would be to try and domesticate without declawing and teaching it to use a scratching post, but I don't think this would be possible. Any opinions or advise. This is a really cute cat and we have grown somewhat attached to it. If this kitten has allowed you to handle him, he's no longer really "feral" and is well on his way to being tame. Kittens are quite adaptible, and there is absolutely NO reason that you cannot bring this baby into your home and make an excellent pet of him. Declawing is NOT "mandatory" for indoor cats. They are quite intelligent and can learn rapidly what is and isn't acceptible to claw---if you really make an effort to train him. Don't expect it to "just happen". Have a strategy. And, please do not cut the little baby's toes off. Sunflower I just recently started "lurking" here, and even that only occasionally, being a mostly dog person and rescuer until I took in a mother cat and her 3 kittens last November. We adopted out the 3 kittens but decided to keep the scrawny teenage mother, now named "Bug", and now quite healthy (maybe overly so!). I never even considered declawing her even though she would be an indoor only cat, because I know what it involves and know how many declawed cats we get at the adoption center that have behavior problems. I do however trim the nails on her front feet. I have to catch her in the right mood, and sometimes only get one nail or one foot at a time, but so far this has worked for us. She still has enough nail to scratch with but not enough to hurt anyone with. I just wanted to mention trimming as a very good alternative to declawing, for those out there who think there is no alternative for an indoor cat. Bug was nearly full grown when I got her and started this, so I'm sure that starting this practice with a kitten would be even easier and more accepted as the cat grows. -- ~ Lori and Jack, Sasha, Rufus, Joey, and Bug {Clean the doghouse to reply} ~ http://www.smithandwest.net/ ~ PETS, Inc - http://www.petsinc.org/ ~ http://petsinc.petfinder.org/ |
#9
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Keep several scratching posts around the house.
I have 2 in living room and one in the hallway. Ideally, there should be one in each room. LT |
#10
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Before you decide on whether or not you HAVE TO KEEP IT... Figure out if you
really are ready to commit to domesticating this cat and caring for it the remainder of its life. If not, then do the right thing and turn it over to the Humane Society or another agency that can handle finding someone to adopt it. The sooner you decide to keep it, or not to keep it, is essential regarding how fast it generally is adopted. Remember, everyone loves kittens; not everyone loves cats! "m. L. Briggs" wrote in message news On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 11:08:40 -0500, "Curtis Fox" wrote: A number of weeks ago, we found this very little kitty meowing in our backyard by our shed. It looks like the offspring of a wild cat we had living under our shed last winter (Minnesota, can wild cats survive the winters here?). Days passed and the kitty was looking very thin and weak so we decided to feed it. We never ever saw the mother return so we believe it has been abandoned. We have continued to feed it and the kitty now allows us to come very close to it. My wife actually picked it up yesterday. My concern is that this is a wild cat and would be very difficult to domesticate. And I really hate the thought of bringing it into our home and having to have it declawed. So our option is to continue feeding it and keeping it outside, or call the humane society (not my wifes preference). If we could somehow keep the cat wild and outside, but provide shelter for the Minnesota winter, I would think this would be a reasonable solution. We live in a suburb, not even remotely close to woods or farmland, so natural food source is probably out of the question during the winter. The best solution would be to try and domesticate without declawing and teaching it to use a scratching post, but I don't think this would be possible. Any opinions or advise. This is a really cute cat and we have grown somewhat attached to it. Is there a Vet in your area who could look at it and determine whether it is s wild breed or a feral domestic breed (or combination of the two)? tThis could help you decide. If it is truly a wild breed, perhaps a zoo would be willing to accept it. I doubt it would be able to live on its own in the wild. Good luck. MLB |
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