Stray cat to "Hey I'm home!" cat

[SandyDo]

I wish we had a photo ready of our newest family member. We will soon! About 1 year ago, before we even moved to the rental we're in, a healthy looking cat started being seen in the woods across the street. He was obviously abandond but ran from everyone. By the time we moved in he was very thin and wanted nothing to do with people. Eventually, my Fianc'ee was able to get him closer and closer. With much patience the frightened, disintereted cat in the woods took several steps to become the biggest LOVEY you've ever seen! He sleeps in Joe's chair on the front porch, guards the yard, comes in the house AFTER he's eaten and doesn't want to leave! We can scoop him up without being cautious, craddle him like a baby, and rub his belly as long as WE want...He doesn't want us to stop!!! Longest time 1/2 hr! (Now he's brought Mama and all their babies. We feed them and are kind but are trying not to let them get to used to us (Mama and babies I mean) but it's happenning! Mama seems to think that our front door is the safest place for her babies!) It took 2 months, now he's hoplessly ours! lol! He's filled back out nicely, getting a belly, no bones, his coat is silky and thick, and the hair on his hind quarters has grown back in (It was balding-Malnutrition) We bought Advantage for him and had NO PROBLEM applying it! He feels completely at ease. We would be concerned about the tolerance of "Sixy" being a health issue but he is full of energy. We are going to have a mobil vet unit come to our home to give full exam, neuter, and trim claws (though he has learned not to "bat" with his claws or bite when playing or overly excited.)WE ARE MOVING IN 6 MONTHS TO A DIFFERENT COUNTY. We have completely belonged to Six for 2 and 1/2 months now. We would like to take Six with us and make him an inside or inside/outside cat. Any input or advise? We adore this baby and he obviously adores us too! One thing we're struggling with is if we should get him declawed after the move, or just leave it alone. I feel it wouldn't be a good idea in case he does want in/out (which he probably will) I also need to know the best way to help him adjust to a new home and environment. He can't be indoors here much because of the lease agreement, but I work from home and that may be good with helping Six with the transition after the move. Please help...We are so in love!

[Tambrey]

That is great for you to have such patience and get him used to you and nurse him back to health...

Is there any way you can ask yur landlord to make an addendum to your lease...and pay an extra deposit for the six months, and get Sixy
INDOOR ONLY NOW?!?! (clickable link)...Even though he is an outdoor cat right now, he will adapt fine and there is no reason to ever lethim roam outside again...give him a chair at a window or a ledge to lay on and he will be fine...all 12 of my cats were ferals and have never been outside again once I bring them inside...
I just hate the thought of him being outside over the winter...

And when you move, YES...by all means take him with you!!

As for declawing, I did it once and swore I never would again...and since then, I teach all my cats "Clippy claws" and I use human toenail clippers because they are easier for me to grip...ask the vet to show you how to do this with Sixy

Are you going to be able to find a home for Momma and Babies as well?...I would ask that you please try to since she trusts you and brings her babies to you...ask the vet where a good recommended place is...or ask around and find good INDOOR only homes for these critters...

Please post pics when you can!!

[SandyDo]

Thank you for the info! It's a great relief to know that you have experience and great success with feral cats. This is our first wild boy. I really wasn't keen on declawing myself, great input. Once Sixy is neutered we are going to keep him inside most of the time. and wean him to staying indoors. As long as he won't be spraying and I keep the house cleaned up after him I don't think it will be a problem for the landlord to let him stay with a deposit. As for mama and babies, we've got two brave ones now. Mama is getting as spoiled as Sixy and leads her strongest, bravest kittens to the door when it's open and Six is inside plopped on his back! The two bravest ones lay inside the door step now as long as we keep back and ond tiny grey one lets us pet him while he's eating. Many neighborhood kids and families have seen what's going on and want kittens. They've tried to catch them but they run from everyone else. The kids now have come to us asking us to catch them for them. We've made it fun we know the personalities and temperments of the kittens now and we've put together an "Adoption questionair". Kids, ages, other pets, how many, etc...then we can choose the right kitten for each family. We have the kids come with thier parents and sit on the ground with the child/ren and the kitten meant for addoption to them and finger food. The kittens aren't as afraid of us so we start the feeding, the child takes over, and the parents sit and watch. Instant bonding. Now we have a slew of kids walking home from swchool who check on "Their kittens every week day! We've got three of the six adopted out. None tame enough to take yet but soon. The little grey one (Silver). We called her Sterling until we realized that she's a she! Silver may come with us. The neighbor next door has Mama's brother "Joey". She is trying to get closer to Mama so that she will trust her and care for her (Indoor/outdoor) after we leave. Sixy is comming with us DEFINITELY and it really is a relief to know that he will do fine indoors all the time. Pictures soon!

[Tambrey]

That is good you are continuing to work with them and want to find the right home for each kitten...

Can you make a printout of the Indoor Only page and send that wiht eaach kitten, and momma, to let the new families know that they should keep their cats indoor only...and be sure to spay/neuter them as well...

[Traci]

Please, there is no "weaning" from outdoors to indoors, you keep them strictly indoors only, with NO outdoor access.

Please read the link Tambrey provided, it is self-explainatory, why you should never allow your cats outdoors.

[SandyDo]

Yes...Great idea! I will print the indoors page from the link you provided me and let them be aware. I already requested on the adoption questionair that they be indoor cats. I made a printout of the indoors only page for one parent who didn't understand the importance and sent them on their way...(I'm assuming with their reaction that they didn't get the point, so they won't get a kitten.) I showed our neighbor also. She is making a point to keep her cat Joey inside all the time now. She always has tried but now the effort is more consious. Silver comes just inside the door now as well as Mama and the biggest girl stays right on Mamas tail when she comes in. Sixy is getting his check up and neuter next week so he will be camping out for the long term. We got a litter box and have been letting Sixy get used to it...Get this! Silver used it this weekend and now Six is fascinated with it! He knows it's his Haven't been able to talk to landlords yet...They're out of town. Will feel better when we get the OK. Six came up missing last week and we (Especially my Fianc'ee Joe) were in a panick. Obviously Six was too, late the second night he heard Joe's voice and tore around the house into Joe's arms...A wild cat jumping into a standing mans arms...Can't beat that feeling I don't think Any other advice or encouragement welcome! Pictures soon!