Another stray showed up

[slvrwhispr]

I left them a voice mail yesterday. I was going to go over there today and physically say hi but... then I woke up and it was hot. And I haven't moved from the bed except to shower. I love summer, don't get me wrong, but when it's hot and there's nothing I MUST do, I just shut off.

[Tina B and crew]

I do the same thing...I really despise really hot weather. We've been in the 70s this past week, after our 90/100s heat wave of two weeks. It has been nice but we are set to go back to the 90s next week. Not looking forward to it.

[slvrwhispr]

H'okay. I put a down payment on a place today, got my credit approved and everything. I'll be moving some time in mid August. So. Do you want to make plans for the beginning of September? It sounds far out but July is almost done (wtf!) and since I only have weekends free it might take me a couple of weekends to get cat-ready. I don't want to bring the critters in until I'm done getting furniture settled and whatnot. I'm sure you understand.

[slvrwhispr]

Which brings me to my next point, and all of you please do chime in.

Should I bring Izzy in, let her get settled, then bring in Doc? Or have them both in the new place around the same time so they are introduced to it as both their territory?

[Cleo]

Me personally would bring them both together at the same time to the new place. However, prior to that, I would have Izzy sleep with a small towel for a few nights, Doc do the same, then mail them off to each other so each can get acquainted with the other's scent. There will be plenty of new smells and such for them to get used to in the new place, hopefully the scented towels of one another will be a center ground.

[slvrwhispr]

Well... that's the only problem. Unless Tina and I rubbed the cats in a washcloth and mailed each other the smelly washcloth, there's no way to do that unless I separate the two critters. But the apartment is SMALL. 550 sq ft. If the consensus is that y'all REALLY think it's best, I can keep them segregated, one in the bedroom, one in the rest of the apartment, for a few days. But I know Izzy bolts through a door if you leave it unattended for even a damn second, so I don't see it lasting very long.

I know with Izzy, if I leave her carrier out with a towel in it, she'll use that as her "safe place" if she wants to be left alone. If I put it in a quiet corner, like in the closet with the door open (it's a sliding/folding style door) she'd be happy with that. Obviously I don't know enough about Doc and his interaction with other cats to know for sure what will be best for him.

[Tina B and crew]

Yay!! Beginning of September sounds great. It's a little tight for me because I start class the first week of September but hopefully they will only be one week a night so I should be good for a trip.

Here is what I can tell you about Doc...so far I have not had him around my cats but when he was hanging out on the back deck there did not seem to be any posturing through the screen door. He likes people. He likes to follow me wherever I go. He's already accustomed to living in a fairly small space (about 300 sq feet) so he should do fine. He has different levels to hang on on over there and seems to like that. He spends a lot of his time on the back of the couch lounging and looking out the window. He seems to be a "get to close to the door" kind of guy..so I watch him carefully when I go in since he did bolt out that one day. He heeds my advice when I say "get back!" though. He can get underfoot a bit, loves to play, loves lap time, loves giving kitty kisses, and is really very laid back it seems. He doesn't like loud noises, but what cat does? He is not a grazer when he eats and finishes his food almost always when I feed him. I think I've already told you he's a litter slinger.

I'd be glad to send a towel or something that I have him sleep on if you want me too. And I'll be glad to take in over with my cats just to see how he reacts...ok, with Lucy because Chunk will just hide.

Also, let me know what you would like as far as a vet visit...do you want another FIV/FeLV test?

[Traci]

I think you should introduce Izzy first, to the new apartment. This way, she can get acclimated, before the added stress of meeting a new kitty. She'll then already have her favorite hiding spot picked out (her safe haven).

I don't know if exchanging towels would be a good idea, for the same reason - stress. Izzy will be stressed enough just learning her new place, if she smells the scent of another cat, it might make her nervous and not adjust as quickly as she normally would.

I'm sure you know, but just to remind - make sure Izzy is placed in your bedroom when you move (door closed), provided all other furniture, boxes etc are already moved and mostly already in their prospective places. If anyone is helping you, make sure they are instructed to keep her door closed at all times, this also includes the OLD place while packing, moving, etc.

When Doc arrives, make sure there is an area in the new place he can retreat to when nervous or scared. Izzy might intimidate him, so he too needs a safe haven. Hopefully, you have areas at the opposite sides of the apartment to give them enough space from each other if necessary. Doc's area should be closed off at first, maybe even for a few days at first since he may be a bit stressed from relocation, travel, new home, new person, new sibling, etc. Ask Tina to bring with Doc one of his favorite toys or a kitty blanket, something he considers his "security" item, then place that item in the room with him.

When you and Tina meet, make DARN SURE that Doc is kept in his carrier AT ALL TIMES, including when driving, stopping, meeting, transferring Doc between you, and into your new place, etc. Do not allow him out of his carrier when you are driving, despite the temptation to do so. This is never a good idea because cats can bolt at the slightest hint of fear or uncertainty or noise (traffic), scents, even daylight vs night, etc.

The very same applies to you too, Tina! Again, it would be a good idea to have a health certificate and rabies certificate with you, since you're both crossing county and state lines.

[slvrwhispr]

Tina, here's a thought. I have two cat carriers, both in good condition. So Doc has something of "his" in the new place, how about I just give you one of mine in trade? You can pick between the two; they're both in excellent condition. Standard cat sized carriers.

As for meeting, Tina, you're more than welcome to just come right to the apartment. If we don't know each other well enough to trust one another at this point, well...

As for the snap test... yeah, we probably should. I mean, I know Izzy's been exposed, but she's still testing negative, and it's the responsible thing to do. If you want, I can send you some money for it.

[slvrwhispr]

Ugh, stupid memories. I'm going to have Izzy tested again, too, just to be sure. :/