Rescued a cat, now what?

@tomcat23 (622)
Old Forge, Pennsylvania
February 23, 2010 12:35pm CST
For the past couple of months, there has been a cat living in the crawl space in the basement of our apartment. Although we've been feeding her, dropping food through a small hole in our kitchen floor, my girlfriend was against trying to get the cat out of the basement and bringing her in the apartment. Since the cat found her way into the basement, she would find her way out. The other day, the property manager said she was going to call animal control and have the cat removed. Naturally that meant the cat would probably end up being euthanized. The property manager unlocked the basement door so that I could go down there and try to get the cat. It took quite some time, but the cat finally came to me and is now in our apartment with our 5 cats. They seem to have accepted her, and there haven't been any fights. The cat, we call Peek-a-boo, seems so happy to have human contact and even sleeps on the bed with us at night. Before we get too attached to her, we'd like to find a home for her or maybe take her to a no-kill facility. Not sure what to do, but sure feel good about getting her out of the basement. Should we keep her?
3 people like this
11 responses
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
23 Feb 10
I hope that you'll keep her. Since you already have 5 cats, I know that you must love animals and this poort creature needs a loving home. I think that she already found it!!!! A number of years ago, we started to feel a cat and he came every morning for breakfast. One day, it took him half of the day to get to our home. A dog or something had gotten ahold of him and he was in bad shape. We took him to the Vet and got him fixed up. He must have been abused in his life because it took him about 2 years to get used to us. Our patience paid off. Fat Cat ultimtely became a very loving little guy and we had him for 14 years. We lost him in 2001 and we still miss him. Every one of these little creatures bring their own special joy.
2 people like this
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
24 Feb 10
Its very sad to lose a pet especially after pouring so much time, care and love into making them feel safe. Cats are especially hard to "warm up to" as they are so "free spirited". Even a domesticated cat will often flee and hide from strangers. Peek-a-boo is getting quite comfortable, even using the litter box her first day in the apartment. There hasn't been any fighting, but the other cats are definitely making sure they let us know not to forget about them. Scout, used to sleep on the bed all day, now he spends his day on the couch next to my girlfriend. Its very interesting to see the way they have been behaving.
@climber7565 (2579)
• United States
24 Feb 10
aww man Tom, that is so nice of you to give her a home, please keep her, sound like you already have some cats and one more is not going to hurt. Its a good thing to save its life, but let this one be the last one to adopt ok? so it wont drive you all crazy either
1 person likes this
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
24 Feb 10
We don't find them, they seem to find us! Its almost as if they know where to go. I just hope the word doesn't get out and they all show up at my back door!!!
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
25 Feb 10
Now all the neighbors will be wishing they are cats, or at least they'll know where their cats are!
• United States
24 Feb 10
haha I think that is too late! the word got around and they all know where to meet up for Monday night football and thanks giving lol. Still how awesome of you all to welcome them. It takes a generous heart to do that.
24 Feb 10
I think you should keep her hun. She seems very happy to be with you and your other feline family, and obviously glad to be out of the basement.
1 person likes this
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
24 Feb 10
Maybe I should start a animal refuge. I hate to see any animal be neglected and mistreated.
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
25 Feb 10
The people who neglect animals need to be neglected twice as much, twice as bad!
• India
24 Feb 10
cAT MEANS IT IS JUST A LOVABLE PET TO ME MY FRIEND
1 person likes this
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
25 Feb 10
Now I have 6 lovable pets to be my friend...want a friend? She's adorable!
• New Zealand
24 Feb 10
I think u should. After all , it seems like you've already become emotionally attached to it.
1 person likes this
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
24 Feb 10
Even though there haven't been any cat fights, the other 5 cats are not their usual selves. I'm sure they'll be fine if they have to get use to her being around, and we are hoping she does have a good home somewhere.
• Indonesia
24 Feb 10
i very like cat,but i dont wanna have...hehehe
1 person likes this
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
25 Feb 10
No, no, I didn't mean for dinner...LOL
@BarBaraPrz (47619)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
23 Feb 10
Maybe Peek-a-boo got into the basement by following someone in... You could try postering "Cat Found". But I think you should keep her. She obviously has decided to keep YOU if she's sleeping on your bed at night. =^..^=
1 person likes this
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
24 Feb 10
That's a very good point about her deciding to keep us. I also know I would scour the neighborhood if one of my cats went missing, so if she does belong to someone, they don't seem too concerned. I'll be putting up signs as soon as I get ink for my printer this weekend.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
25 Feb 10
that is an awful lot of cats to have in one apartment. Are there any no kill rescue organizations in your area?
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
25 Feb 10
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
1 Mar 10
Yes, 6 cats is a bit much and alot of cleaning, not to mention costly especially during flea season. Fortunately they all get along and are often sleeping together on the bed during the day. My girlfriend and I would both feel guilty taking Peek-a-Boo to a shelter, even though it would be a no-kill shelter, its still like being put in jail! We prefer finding a good home for it.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
25 Feb 10
If it were me, I would probably keep her. I am terrible about getting attached. Sounds like she has fit in very well with your family. What's one more? LOL
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
2 Mar 10
I hate it when people just move and leave their pets to fend for themselves/ I actually took in a cat once that cried every night to get into the house across the street after it's family had moved. It had been declawed and was at a great disadvantage in the wild in the first place. It took a while for it to get used to it's new home but it was better off with me than scratching at an empty house. He grew to love us and finally stopped going back. It was sad that he missed his family so much.
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
1 Mar 10
I'm with you on that. Finding her a good home is really the best thing, but last night we found out the cat was abandoned by a neighbor when she moved away. The cat hid in our basement and actually avoided being taken away by the ASPCA. Go Figure!
@Kate1950 (35)
• United States
1 Mar 10
Well, since you already have 5 cats, what's one more? I have 6, and they are no more trouble than 1! If your cats have accepted her then she obviously fits in well with your family. Please consider keeping her, as there are too many little animals that don't have a warm place to live, food in their tummies, and someone to love them. That is really all they ask, and you will have a loyal, non-judgemental friend for life.
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
1 Mar 10
She's already showing her appreciation. The other day I accidentally stepped on her paw, 3 of the other cats came running to make sure she was OK. They all went up to her and they sniffed noses... you had to see it.
@Bellapop (1279)
26 Jul 10
I would definitely keep it, especially when it has gotten along with the other cats and you have 5 of them. They say that the cat chooses you and not the other way round, the fact that it has found its way to you means something, please try to keep it or at least find it a good home. :)
@tomcat23 (622)
• Old Forge, Pennsylvania
18 Aug 10
Sorry for the delayed response, but you are so right. For as independent as cats pretend to be, they are more than grateful for the love they are given by us humans. They decide who they want to trust.