There’s a stray grey tabby we’ve been taking care of for a month or so. He appeared in our backyard while we were barbecuing, looking for a meal. We fed him and my girlfriend set up a little shelter for him outside. He happily sleeps in there and gets fed every day.
We believe he was owned by someone else since he’s fixed, very clean, and very well-socialized, both to humans and other cats. We can’t keep him, though, as we already have 4 others. However, it’s starting to get cold here in Baltimore.
How much of a danger would it be to my other cats if we were to keep him in our basement until he is either claimed or we take him to a no-kill shelter? He doesn’t appear to have any superficial signs of fleas, lice, or anything else, but I’m not a vet and can’t tell for sure. Once he goes, could our cats return to the basement?
I assume he doesn’t have an ID tag. But he may have a microchip. You should take him to a vet or a shelter so they can see if he has a microchip. That would be your first course of action. The interaction between him and your cats depends upon their personalities.
If you’re willing to pay a vet, first & foremost get him tested for Feline Leukemia. If he’s negative get him vaccinated for it and then you’re pretty safe. If he’s positive, well, do not let him around other pets. You may find someone willing to take a ‘special needs’ cat, but your options will be limited.
I’ve had both happen, found one that was negative (my sister still has him) and one that was positive (had to have him put down).
Yep, feline Leukemia and HIV (FeLV and FIV) are spread through simple contact, like scratches and bites so I would take him to get tested and get a sure negative before I let him around my kitties.
It is super sweet you are taking care of him though.
Some info on FeLV and FIV http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html
Thanks for the responses. I guess I’m asking if it’s safe to keep this stray locked in the basement away from the other cats, then let the original cats back in the basement once the stray is gone.
Check your local rabies laws. Some areas cats are covered, other areas cats are exempt, but you should know what the law says about proof of rabies immunization.
As long as you don’t leave a litter pan full of the stray’s poo in the basement when you let your cats back in there, you shouldn’t have to worry about intestinal parasites spreading. But you may have to worry about ringworm, which is a bitch. If you’re going to bring the stray to the vet, have them do a ringworm culture so you know if that’s an issue.
