I don't want to do a deep dive into this, I never even wanted to go down this road at all, but here it is. A year and a half ago a stray cat "adopted" me when she showed up in my yard, gaunt and needy, and I captured her in a humane trap. I've never been a cat person, never had a cat before in my life, but this little girl just pranced into my life and stole my heart. With her I did all the "right" things, we looked for an owner, put up ads, took her to the vet to scan for a chip. Then we got her dewormed and spayed, and decided to keep her. She now rules our household and I love this cat dearly but I want it to be clear she will be an ONLY CAT. There are several reasons, but this is non-negotiable.
Yesterday I'm looking at the window and see a little orange cat skulking in the yard. He - I'm guessing "he" - was close to our catio where Stella hangs out, so I'm pretty sure he is aware she is there. When I stepped outside to call to him, he squeezed under the fence into our neighbor's yard. I called them and they said yes, they have seen this kitty but don't know who he might belong to. (FWIW, several of our neighbors also saw my Stella when she was a stray, but none of them paid much attention to her, either.)
Anyway, it was cold and rainy yesterday, and I was disturbed thinking about this little cat being out in the elements. We also have a lot of coyotes in the neighborhood and a busy street (this is why I was so intent on rescuing Stella.) I want the simplest solution here - one that does NOT involve TNR or any efforts to capture this kitty. I just want to know the best way to offer protection for the coming winter months. We have a shed in our yard which is actually pretty close to the catio and I could possibly prop open a door and put some bedding in there. If I did that, would the cat likely find it and take shelter there? (We are in Georgia, it doesn't get SUPER cold, but it will go down to the 30s at night in the winter.)
What is the best way to leave food out on a regular basis so that the cat gets it rather than possums, raccoons, coyotes, etc.?
I don't want to become the neighborhood Cat Rescue - I just can't! - but I also can't leave this kitty uncared for.
PS...if I am able to get a photo, I will post it on Next Door, but I'm not very hopeful anyone claim this obviously homeless stray cat.
Yesterday I'm looking at the window and see a little orange cat skulking in the yard. He - I'm guessing "he" - was close to our catio where Stella hangs out, so I'm pretty sure he is aware she is there. When I stepped outside to call to him, he squeezed under the fence into our neighbor's yard. I called them and they said yes, they have seen this kitty but don't know who he might belong to. (FWIW, several of our neighbors also saw my Stella when she was a stray, but none of them paid much attention to her, either.)
Anyway, it was cold and rainy yesterday, and I was disturbed thinking about this little cat being out in the elements. We also have a lot of coyotes in the neighborhood and a busy street (this is why I was so intent on rescuing Stella.) I want the simplest solution here - one that does NOT involve TNR or any efforts to capture this kitty. I just want to know the best way to offer protection for the coming winter months. We have a shed in our yard which is actually pretty close to the catio and I could possibly prop open a door and put some bedding in there. If I did that, would the cat likely find it and take shelter there? (We are in Georgia, it doesn't get SUPER cold, but it will go down to the 30s at night in the winter.)
What is the best way to leave food out on a regular basis so that the cat gets it rather than possums, raccoons, coyotes, etc.?
I don't want to become the neighborhood Cat Rescue - I just can't! - but I also can't leave this kitty uncared for.
PS...if I am able to get a photo, I will post it on Next Door, but I'm not very hopeful anyone claim this obviously homeless stray cat.
Last edited:
