# Question about taking in a stray cat (need answer fast!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 15, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-taking-in-a-stray-cat-need-answer-fast/637802 "2012-10-15T18:41:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-taking-in-a-stray-cat-need-answer-fast/637802/1 "2012-10-15T18:41:31Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-taking-in-a-stray-cat-need-answer-fast/637802/2 "2012-10-15T20:15:08Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![retterath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@retterath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/retterath)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-taking-in-a-stray-cat-need-answer-fast/637802/3 "2012-10-15T20:38:13Z")
" That feral cat looks pregnant. I wonder what would happen if we put a blanket in a box for her." And that’s how we ended up with 8 cats. I think the biggest danger is getting attached. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-taking-in-a-stray-cat-need-answer-fast/637802/4 "2012-10-16T03:40:30Z")
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). ☹ ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-taking-in-a-stray-cat-need-answer-fast/637802/5 "2012-10-16T03:45:40Z")
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](http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html) > [@](#): > > How is FeLV spread? > Cats persistently infected with FeLV serve as sources of infection. Virus is shed in very high quantities in saliva and nasal secretions, but also in urine, feces, and milk from infected cats. Cat-to-cat transfer of virus may occur from a bite wound, during mutual grooming, and (though rarely) through the shared use of litter boxes and feeding dishes. Transmission can also take place from an infected mother cat to her kittens, either before they are born or while they are nursing. FeLV doesn’t survive long outside a cat’s body—probably less than a few hours under normal household conditions. [http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fiv.html](http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fiv.html) > [@](#): > > How is FIV spread? > The primary mode of transmission is through bite wounds. Casual, non-aggressive contact does not appear to be an efficient route of spreading FIV; as a result, cats in households with stable social structures where housemates do not fight are at little risk for acquiring FIV infections. On rare occasions infection is transmitted from an infected mother cat to her kittens, usually during passage through the birth canal or when the newborn kittens ingest infected milk. Sexual contact is not a major means of spreading FIV. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-taking-in-a-stray-cat-need-answer-fast/637802/6 "2012-10-16T11:36:18Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-taking-in-a-stray-cat-need-answer-fast/637802/7 "2012-10-16T12:53:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Chum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ab097/32.png) [@Chum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chum)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-taking-in-a-stray-cat-need-answer-fast/637802/8 "2012-10-16T21:59:56Z")
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](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatophytosis), 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. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-taking-in-a-stray-cat-need-answer-fast/637802/9 "2012-10-16T23:06:59Z")
First- bless you for doing this. Next, before you take him in, put some of that flea stuff on his nape. Then, after 2-3 days, it will be safe to do as you suggest, as long as you take Chums suggestions about the litter into account.