Stray or surrendered

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I love to read the books but do not agree with a lot she says to be honest.

I have 4 cats and admittedly they are two pairs who prefer to stay that way and one is  a semi-feral who loves living here but would prefer it to be just her and Misa 

I agree with the others, every cat and every situation is different and its impossible to judge what will happen when you introduce a new one.

Some cats seem to integrate with others with no problem and others will take for ever and only tollerate each other.

[LesleyW]

Well, we're up to about 35 now!! and I never have a problem introducing new ones, I suppose my lot are just used to it by now.  Occasionally, the newbie may be a bit hissy and spitty to start with, but they all find their own position in the scheme of things and sometimes the ones you think are going to be a problem turn into the friendlist ones who love everybody.

[Dawn F]

I agree Sabrina - she described bengals as the creme de la creme of problem cats!! still love mine though!

[Sabrina (Auferstehen)]

I'm a firm believer that any cat can be turned from a hissy spitty street kitty to a lap cat, but then I've probably just got very lucky

Our one cat Smoke came with no ideas of her previous life so she could have been anything and is a dear sweet cat who just wants to curl up on the internet router (we think its because its warm).

Vicky Hall's books are a good read and can enlighten some subjects, but I disagree with the multi cat household thing and her views on Burmese but I still enjoy the books!

[Dawn F]

I think that is the answer, each situation is different and you have to use common sense as well - my friend integrated an entire tom into her household (he was quickly snipped!!) it took a little while but she got there in the end

[sixfurballs]

Well I'm the sort who loves to get all the books (on everything I'm interested in - my house is groaning!) but then I use my common sense and look at the information practically. If someone with experience tells me something contrary to the book I'll listen to them and work out what I think is best. For me having 4 cats is wonderful and very rewarding. There's always something going on!

[Dawn F]

not sure mm, they are all people who believe in doing research and they all found the books very convincing, they all think I'm mad having four and can't believe my house doesn't smell of spray!

[sixfurballs]

Thanks for all the feedback. Its good to know so many of you have got on fine with strays and that I'm not mad in wanting to help out more cats needing homes 

I'm in the loop about a stray boy who is to be neutered this week and I also contact a rescue about a beautiful girl on their cat chat site but unfortunately they haven't returned my call or email. She is very striking and was posted a few weeks ago so may have been rehomed already.

I did notice that Vicky says there are lots of problem multi-cat households but admits that she only ever gets contacted when there is a problem, that she believes there are probably many getting on just fine and that she herself had 7 cats at one time. For my part 2 of mine are very closely bonded, they get on really well with a third and the 4th has been cosying up to the other girl recently but only tolerates the boys. As my oldest girl is always the most problematic and seems to tolerate the other girl better than the boys I have also been wondering should I sway more to adopting a girl this time. decisions, decisions 

[Millys Mum]

That sucks Dawn, done properly multicat homes work fine, any chance they can be converted back to the idea? 
Just imagine how many more would be homeless if everyone just had 1 or 2 cats 

[Dawn F]

much as I enjoy reading Vicky Halls books I do know of at least three people who've decided not to add to furry families because she thinks multi cat households are a problem - I hope when this tv programme that is supposed to be coming out does it doesn't create a glut of homeless - tbh she advised us to give up one of ours but with time and perseverance we have managed to sort the problem out, they will never cuddle up together but do at least greet with a nose sniff

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

I've been re-reading Cat Counsellor and I noticed that Vicky Halls considers recently neutered stray toms harder to introduce to a multi-cat household.

Well i added a recently neutered stray to my family of TEN cats and had no problem what so ever !!

[Desley (booktigger)]

I would see what turns up that fits your 'criteria' and see how well they integrate, rather than worry unduly about their background.

[Millys Mum]

I've been re-reading Cat Counsellor and I noticed that Vicky Halls considers recently neutered stray toms harder to introduce to a multi-cat household.

She also warns of homing cats with feral backgrounds and also multi cat homes, sadly both of these are necessities in this world.
They are more offensive to neutered cats in smell, always best to wait until their hormones have subsided so that they are more relaxed and dont whiff. Hormonal toms are often ready for a fight!

It also depends on the cat in question because my ^george^ turned up entire and had a wonderful non-offensive attitude and never put a paw out of place 

[Liz]

We introduced Blue to the Clan Cats about 4 weeks ago after a simple TNR became the op from hell due to an undescended testicle and major hernia repair - he spent 3 days in isolation in a cage recovering in our downstairs study and then his daddy felt sorry for him being in a cage and he got the whole study and then introduced himself after Brodie opened the door and let himself in!

No issues to date although he is a bit hissy with the senior ladies who just smack him on the nose claws extended and he moves well away, Sky scares him when he is stood up but the rest have just accepted him

For the record Blue is a nasty feral steel grey boy who is learning that we won't hurt him and he can stay - he is FIV negative and injected but not yet chipped but that will be a long while.

He just has to learn not to impale hands when getting his breakfast saucer - it hurts like hell when he impales!

[sixfurballs]

I am seriously thinking of adding a 5th rescue cat to the four furballs. I have always loved the idea of the longer haired cats like forest cats and maine coons so if I am going to add a 5th cat I'd like number 5 to be a long or semi long hair. I have had cats for some years now and feel more experienced and ready to take one on.

My quandary is would a stray (and most likely a recently neutered tom) be more suitable or a male/female that has been surrendered by an owner no longer able to care for their pet (say someone who has moved or died)? I've been re-reading Cat Counsellor and I noticed that Vicky Halls considers recently neutered stray toms harder to introduce to a multi-cat household.