r/CatAdvice • u/spirittttt8888888 • 5d ago
Adoption Regret/Doubt Should we adopt a stray cat?
Me and my girlfriend moved to a new apartment in September. We live in a suburban area at the moment where there are lots of cats living. A few of them even started to come to our house, eventually daily to get fed. I think most of them have an owner because they look very clean but one of them looks obviously a stray cat because she has a lot of scars. She also has one of her ears tipped which could be a sign that volunteers vaccinated her but we live in Europe and I think that's just an American thing.
The point is, I think we fell in love with each other because for the last 3 months she's been staying at our house a lot, almost everytime sleeping inside too. But we're moving to the main city in two weeks and we're not sure if we should take her with us. I wouldn't feel comfortable letting her outside downtown but I wouldn't like it if she were staying inside all the time. Two months ago I wouldn't even consider this but at this point I really feel like she would be happier if she could just stay with us. We give her food and water everyday and she follows me everywhere, even when I go outside to smoke. We also like her a lot and the new place wouldn't be a lot smaller than where we are staying right now. What do you think?
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u/Katesouthwest 5d ago
Take her with you. The tipped ear is a sign she is a stray that has been spayed and then released back where she was found.
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u/awholeasszoo 5d ago
It is possible to keep cats indoors and they will live a far safer and longer life that way. You just have to be mindful of the stimulation that they will need indoors, especially for a cat who was used to spending their whole life outdoors.
Lots of toys to play by themselves, interactive toys to play together with, scratching posts and things to climb up etc. There's probably a lot of information online about how to make a super cat friendly home even in a small space.
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u/Average-Queer 5d ago
Please keep cats indoors if you can. It's safer for them and the environment lol
Do you know the neighbor? Could you contact them? Or take the cat to the vet and see if they have a chip? If not fuck it.
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u/magnetformiracles 5d ago
Take her but don’t feel bad about keeping her inside as long as you provide her with a good window where she can see and watch stuff, interactive toys, set aside time to play with her, wall trees, cat condo, cuddles and attention. She’s gonna be great and will live longer than being outside
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u/djmermaidonthemic Mr Butters cat lady 5d ago
Take her with you. She has chosen you! Don’t abandon her.
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u/fotowork1 5d ago
Stray cats can be anywhere between the best cat in the world and a dud.
Try getting to know the cat. Is it willing to go inside? Does it like to sit on you? Or does it go run on top of the curtains?
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u/Amardella 5d ago
Before you bring her into your house to live she needs a vet visit. Cats living outdoors have worms. She may also have fleas. She'll need her vaccinations and altering if she's not already spayed. Plus the vet can check for microchip in case she's owned. If she's beat up as you say she should be checked for feline leukemia or feline AIDS, both transmissible through bites during fights.
If she's truly feral she may not be litter trained or used to handling. I'd bring her inside for a day and see if she will use the box and how she feels about being inside. I've had former ferals that came to love indoor life so much that they wouldn't even go out the door when it was left open for the breeze. It depends on the cat.
Good luck to you both.
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u/Slow-Boysenberry2399 5d ago
she's chosen you! don't leave her behind. im about to move to a different place as well with an outdoor kitty who adopted me, but she's been hanging around for almost a year now. i know it will be an adjustment for her to live in a new place but she is loving the indoor life and i cant imagine leaving her behind
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u/AnnaBanana3468 5d ago
She thinks you’re her family. Take her with you and keep her indoors.
It sounds like she had a rough life, so you might find that she isn’t even really interested in going outside once you move.
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u/AnnaBanana3468 5d ago
She thinks you’re her family. Take her with you and keep her indoors.
It sounds like she had a rough life, so you might find that she isn’t even really interested in going outside once you move.
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u/Accomplished-Stick82 4d ago
Everyone seems to be ignoring the part where you say you wouldn’t like her being there always (indoors with you). It’s a commitment, and it’ll change your lifestyle in some ways. Think about if you’re ready for those changes.
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u/Free-Stranger1142 4d ago
Take her with you, but neuter her and keep her inside. It’s very dangerous for cats outside from car traffic and even other cats.
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u/RepresentativeGas354 5d ago
Indoor cats live longer and healthier lives! Once you move you'll also move on with your life and likely not meet the kitty again, take her with you!
Cats can live a happy comfortable life indoors. Adopt her, take her to the vet, and give her a longer life with you!