Vaccines, not know if the cat is a stray

17 years ago

I really need help here. There is a sweet calico cat in our neighborhood who has taken up with me since the spring. I just read the story about a psycho neighbor is trying to steal my cat. I sound like the psycho! Except that nobody has told me that the cat belongs to them and to not feed her. I wish somebody would. When it started getting cold this cat was outdoors and was always waiting to come in to our house. She sleeps on our beds now and everything. Of course I feed her because I love her. You would think that somebody would know who she belongs to, if she does belong to anybody, because she is such a sweet cat. But nobody around here does. Now that it is really cold outside, what can I do when she is waiting at the door or a window? Of course I let her in and she goes and lays down right by the fire and is like family. She likes going outdoors but nothing that tame wants to stay outdoors. Thank goodness she's healthy. I've talked to my neighbor and he seems to think she might have been left here when her owners moved.

Here is my quandary. I'd like to get her shots up to date. But what if she already had them? What if I do take her to the vet and get her shots and then somebody else does? Would that hurt her? Maybe other neighbors love her too, but she is always with us.

She's a polydactyl calico so I don't know if she's been spayed. I'd like to get her spayed, but then anybody could sue me for that, make me think they own the cat, whatever. She has no id on her.

And now the worst of it is that we are moving down to Florida in April and I want to take her with us. Now that she has taken up with us I can't just leave her.

Someone suggested putting a collar on her with a message to call me. Anyone could do that just to complicate things. I don't trust people around here. You would think if she did belong to somebody, they would be more concerned. I'd like for someone to think I was a psycho neighbor "stealing" a cat, but nobody has come forth. In the meantime we love her and want her to have good care. Please help me figure out what to do. And thanks for any help.

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Comments (5)

cynthia_gw
17 years ago
Most of the stray cats out there are truly strays. Very few owners in non-farm/rural areas allow their cats to run around free. If she did belong to one of your neighbors, you would have encountered the 'owner' by now. To test the theory, put a break-away collar on her with ID. No note, just her name and your phone number. I don't thinking anyone is going to claim her. You may also want to consider keeping her indoors where it's safer once you've decided that she is truly 'your' cat and not someone elses. Your vet can probably do a titer for some of the vaccines, or recommend an approach once you've determined she is abandoned. Thanks for taking care of her!
lilod
17 years ago
If she has been around since spring, I'd think she has adopted you! There even is a good possibility that she may have been spayed, she's probably would have been in heat or pregnant by now.
Unfortunately, cats sometimes get abandoned when owner's circumstances change and they are too cowardly accept their responsibility to do the right thing and take cat to the shelter.
I would take her to a vet and find out if it's safe to give her the vaccinations, follow his recommendations and complete the adoption process.
You are lucky - you have been chosen.
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Meghane
17 years ago
You'll need to do Rabies vaccine at least to make sure she's current on that since it can't be proven that she's up to date on that. Follow the recommendation of your vet about the other vaccines. I'd do a FeLV and FIV test too, just to be on the safe side, especially if you have other cats.

She most likely is spayed, since she hasn't been in heat or pregnant yet. But spring will tell for sure!

As far as keeping her, make sure you follow all the legal requirements in your area about taking in strays. Here in Durham, I have to let the shelter have them for the required 5 days, so the owner has a chance to reclaim them. Whenever I drop off strays at the shelter, I just fill out the adoption papers for them. Not that I need another pet, but I'd at least foster them until I could find a home if they were not claimed.

And I wouldn't worry too much about other people claiming her. I've taken 3 unaltered purebred dogs and 1 unaltered mutt (but gorgeous)to the shelter, and none of them were claimed. I doubt anyone would even notice she's gone. As long as you follow the letter of the law, there isn't anything anyone can do once you adopt her. Which I certainly recommend!
luvdogs
17 years ago
As far as the vaccines, repeating vaccines can't hurt - there is very little risk in overvaccinating. I do my own shots and I don't test for leukemia - I just do the shots. MOST cats don't have leukenia and it won't hurt her to give her the shot and test afterwards if desired.

I wouldn't wait to see if she's spayed. Low cost clinics are a good deal for this type of thing - all the big cities have them.

Just assume that she's yours. Chances are VERY high that no-one else wants her - there's a million calico cats out there.

I love calico cats - they are so beautiful.

vicky
cat_mom
17 years ago
You can titers done, to see if she has antibodies against rabies, distemper, etc. That might indicate whether or not she's up-to-date on her vaccines.

Vaccines, not know if the cat is a stray

Comments (5)

cynthia_gw

lilod

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