# Help me win a debate with myself about a stray **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 17, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662 "2011-09-17T21:03:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/1 "2011-09-17T21:03:39Z")
It’s not great, though. Last night I let a stray cat into my apartment building. it was cold and I felt bad. As I’m putting down my stuff on my kitchen table, I hear a noise and look back to see it curling up on my bed. Do I keep it? I’m on a narrow budget as is and my landlord WILL charge me to keep it, not counting vet bills and whatnot. It seems very friendly, and so may well be someone’s lost pet from the recent flooding. The softhearted part wants to keep it, but the practical side says NO. I haven’t even named it, just call it “Cat” so as not to get attached. I could in theory just put it back on the street or take it to the Humane Society, though I’m sure they’re bursting with animals. _sigh_ I need an outside perspective. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/2 "2011-09-17T21:15:29Z")
Are you sure it’s not someone’s cat that got lost? If it’s that friendly, it might have owners. Consider taking it somewhere that can scan for a microchip. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/3 "2011-09-17T21:16:23Z")
I would not put kitty back out. The poor critter sounds like it was a housepet and won’t know how to survive on the mean streets. If finances won’t allow you to keep it, take it to the Humane Society. Do call the Humane Society and tell them that you have found a lost cat. I’m sure that they have a list of lost pets and you might be able to reunite kitty and owner. Inside only cats aren’t really that expensive. Its possible that there are low cost spay/neutor clinics in your area. After that is done, kitty will only need litter and food. Inside only cats don’t need yearly shots. Cats make great companions and are pretty low maintenance despite what us cat slaves say. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/4 "2011-09-17T21:23:28Z")
Oh, it’s very friendly. Jumps on my lap any chance it gets, and it’s made me mistype serveral times :). It’s not declawed or litter-trained, though. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/5 "2011-09-17T21:24:27Z")
You have already been adopted; the fight is lost already! Just kidding. Definitely call the humane society, as suggested, in case it’s a lost pet. Someone else may well adopt it if not; if not that, THEN you can get a better idea of whether YOU want to adopt it from them; you’ll have the distance and a little less urgency by that time. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/6 "2011-09-17T21:32:55Z")
Animal rescue geek chiming in: First, try to locate an owner. Signs in your 'hood, HS or AC, craigslist lost and found, nearby vets. Perhaps this cat became lost or discombobulated during a recent move and has a frantic, loving owner looking for it. I would make this effort first. Second, tossing it out or giving it to your local shelter is often a death sentence, depending where you live, (This isn’t a guilt-trip, but reality in many parts of the country Too mazny cats, too many kittens, etc.) Cats aren’t usually that expensive to keep, especially indoor cats. I realise that is relative…I belong to a rescue that allows me to do $10 spay/neuters on non-owned cats, and $15 vaccinations and optional testing. PM me if you want me to look up resources where you live. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/7 "2011-09-17T21:38:09Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > It’s not declawed or litter-trained, though. That’s odd. Most cats figure out the litter box as soon as they can walk. One of my overlords helped me post that last and somehow deleted my agreement that kitty might be microchipped. Male or female? Do you know how to tell? This isn’t a snarky question, I’ve been in rescue for a very long time and I still make mistakes with a casual grope. Males who were fixed as kittens can sometimes be mistaken for females, and once I felt up an in heat female and diagnosed her as a male. :smack: I was soooo embarrassed when the vet told me. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/8 "2011-09-17T22:22:01Z")
How do you think the cat felt? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/9 "2011-09-17T23:03:45Z")
She didn’t seem to mind me fondling her swollen bits at all. :eek: While I agree with **chiroptera** that taking kitty to the HS is probably a death sentence, it would be an easier death than will happen on the streets. You mentioned flooding. Is there any way you can keep kitty for a couple of weeks while the disaster is being handled? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/10 "2011-09-17T23:34:13Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > Male or female? Do you know how to tell? This isn’t a snarky question, I’ve been in rescue for a very long time and I still make mistakes with a casual grope. Males who were fixed as kittens can sometimes be mistaken for females, and once I felt up an in heat female and diagnosed her as a male. :smack: I was soooo embarrassed when the vet told me. That’s how we ended up with Flo’Lrr. It was a long adoption process. At first, we thought ‘she’ was in heat, trying to get in to our dude-cats. As summer waned into fall, we realized she was likely homeless and what we were faced with. My mom was the first to name her. \*\*Fluffy Menopause. \*\* Great sense of humour, Ma. That didn’t sit well, so we dubbed her ‘ **Flo** ’ for short. Kinda fit. MEEEeeeeoowwwwwwww… Eventually, we realized she was determined to get in and get our boys, so we moved on to **F’Lola** , 'cause _whatever F’Lola wants … F’Lola gets…_ After taking her in and getting the news from the vet, I _really_ wanted to keep it as is. But Kinks be damned, Mrs. Devil wouldn’t want a boy named Sue either. We eventually figured we’d have to find something with a shred of dignity and machismo, given his past. Hence, **Flo’Lrrr, ruler of the planet OmiCat Persei 8** Also, hanging in many a vets office: > [@](#): > > Stray cats will not be fed. > [ul] > [li] Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food tossed on the ground, outside.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with a little milk in a spare margarine container.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with warm milk, yummy treats and leftover fish scraps.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not try to make the house cats jealous when they are eating THEIR food![/ul][/li] > Stray cats will not be encouraged to make this house their permanent residence and will not be petted, played with, or picked up and cuddled. > [ul] > > ``` > [li] Stray cats will not be petted, played with, or picked up and cuddled unnecessarily.[/li] [li] Stray cats that are petted, played with, picked up and cuddled will absolutely not be given a name.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not have special toys bought for them so that they will be tempted to come closer.[/li] [li] Stray cats with or without a name will not be allowed inside the house at any time.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except at certain times, maybe holidays.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except on days ending in "y."[/li] [li] Stray cats will not beat up the house cats when they come inside the house on days ending in "Y." [/ul][/li] > > ``` > > Stray cats allowed inside will not be permitted to jump up on or sharpen their claws on the furniture. > [ul] > > ``` > [li] Stray cats will not be permitted to jump up on, or sharpen claws on the really good furniture.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not be allowed to sharpen their claws on the people nice enough to give them a home.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not climb up the insides of people's pants legs, clinging to the thermal underwear, when they are sharpening their claws on the people nice enough to give them a home. [/ul][/li] > > ``` > > Stray cats will sleep outside. > [ul] > > ``` > [li] Stray cats will sleep outside unless it's raining.[/li] [li] Stray cats will sleep in the garage.[/li] [li] Stray cats will sleep in the house but not in the bedroom.[/li] [li] Stray cats will sleep in a cardboard box lined with an old blanket in a corner of the bedroom.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed, except at the foot.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not be allowed to curl up on our pillows, tickle one ear with their tail, and purr in the other ear all night. [/li] [li] Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed under the covers unless we're cold.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not be allowed to sleep in our bed under the covers except at the foot.[/li] [li] Stray cats sleeping under the covers at the foot of the bed will not be allowed to chew on our feet.[/li] [li] Stray cats that have a habit of chewing toes when they sleep under the covers at the foot of the bed will find that we've taken to wearing our slippers to bed. [/ul][/li] > > ``` > > Stray cats will be neutered as soon as possible. > [ul] > > ``` > [li] Stray cats that are already pregnant will sleep in a specially prepared box.[/li] [li] Stray cats that are already pregnant and searching for a place to have their babies will be given a safe place to have them, comfortably lined with an old blanket or towels.[/li] [li] Stray cats that are already pregnant and searching for a place to have their babies will not be allowed in closets, drawers, cupboards or spare rooms.[/li] [li] Stray cats that have their babies in the closet in our bedroom will not be allowed to pull our clothes from the hangers.[/li] [li] Stray cats that have their babies on our best evening gown will have to live with that on their conscience forever! We will have to live with the $90 cleaning bill. [/ul][/li] > > ``` > > Stray cats will not play with our feet when we’re sitting at the desk. It makes it hard to concentrate. > [ul] > > ``` > [li] Stray cats will not play on the desk.[/li] [li] Stray cats will not play on the desk near the computer.[/li] [li] Stray cats are forbidden to walk on the computer keyboard on the desk when the human is ';lkjijn huhgtgv ffdsa trying to use it! [/ul][/li] > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/11 "2011-09-17T23:46:52Z")
Sounds like the cat has already made the decision. It’ staying, it’s up to you if you want it or not. Can I afford it would be first question. Second, is it nuts ? If it is I don’t want it. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/12 "2011-09-17T23:49:43Z")
> [@Ibanez](#): > > Sounds like the cat has already made the decision. It’ staying, it’s up to you if you want it or not. > > Can I afford it would be first question. > > Second, is it nuts ? > > If it is I don’t want it. “The cat is nuts” is redundant. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/13 "2011-09-18T00:53:34Z")
Any Keystone Dopers who are interested, give me a shout! ---
**Author:** ![horsetech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dec6dc/32.png) [@horsetech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horsetech)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/14 "2011-09-18T02:21:04Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > Inside only cats don’t need yearly shots. They do in fact need to be, at the minimum, vaccinated for rabies (every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine used and the jurisdiction), and yearly exams can lead to problems being picked up before they become expensive and/or life-threatening (in many areas, this is less than $100, not including treating anything that is found). Also, they can get sick and have dental problems like [FORL](http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=169&S=2). IMO, any responsible cat owner does need to allow for some veterinary expenses at some point in the cat’s life. I’m not saying the OP should or shouldn’t keep the cat if the owner is not found, just trying to give full disclosure. BTW, one way to lessen the impact of unexpected illness is pet insurance. I mention this because some/many pet owners don’t even realize it exists, although I realize Dopers aren’t typical pet owners. ---
**Author:** ![CWN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@CWN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CWN)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/15 "2011-09-18T11:50:14Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I haven’t named it, just call it “Cat” so as not to get attached. I always name my cats “[Cat](http://s449.photobucket.com/albums/qq214/dap2230/Cat/)”[SIZE=“1”](as per board rules photos included)[/SIZE] If I have more than 1 they get a number -Cat 1 or 2 for example, so it seems to me you already named him/her ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/16 "2011-09-18T16:29:46Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Do I keep it? I’m on a narrow budget as is and my landlord WILL charge me to keep it, not counting vet bills and whatnot.. How much does your landlord charge for pets? I’ve always lived in places where there was just a one time flat fee/pet deposit, but I know some places ask for a monthly fee. If you’ve been a good tenant, is there any chance you could negotiate with your landlord about the amount you’d pay? I know this may not be the best way to go, but I’m just saying, cats are quieter and easier to hide than dogs. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/17 "2011-09-18T17:37:22Z")
No. Cats CAN BE expensive - and there is no way to tell upfront if yours will be or not. But a cat who isn’t using the litterbox is very likely to be a very expensive cat (cats self train for a litterbox). Say bye bye to your security deposit if there is any carpet in your apartment or if the cat ruins the wood floors with caustic cat urine. I adore my cat, but she is NOT cheap. Poor thing had four surgeries before she was a year old. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/18 "2011-09-18T19:02:56Z")
Will a cat self-litterbox-train if it was a feral cat raised by another feral cat? That doesn’t seem to jive with this one’s lap-seeking tendencies, but I’m just curious. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/19 "2011-09-19T02:20:50Z")
I urge you to keep it and cut corners elsewhere. Perhaps you can skip buying some inanimate object that won’t mind not existing, as opposed to the cat, which would very much mind. Did anybody mention microchipping? I didn’t see it. The dear may have been microchipped, and a vet would be able to wave a wand over it and get contact information for the owner. I second the comment to the effect that cats are generally all self litter box trained. Tell more about the evidence to the contrary and perhaps we can identify some other problem. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662/20 "2011-09-19T03:05:25Z")
I found a feral cat in the park. I had to take it home it was small and it saw I was a sucker. It walked up to me and meyowed. It was friendly and had no trouble using a litter box or eating cat food. It also was the roughest cat i ever saw. It cleaned out all the rats in the neighborhood and all the mice. When it played , it hit so hard it was shocking. I wrapped my hand in a thick towel and teased him. He would fly off the ground and nail my towel wrapped hand with ferocity. There are lots of feral cats in my neighborhood. When Spaulding was alive, there were none. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-win-a-debate-with-myself-about-a-stray/596662.md?page=2)