"The kitten just followed me home one night in November on the eve of a terrible cold snap."
How I did it: I found her in the parking lot of my condominium complex. She ran right up to me, and had obviously at one time been someone's pet, but not recently, since she was very dirty and thin and her claws had been worn down to nubs and she was wearing an old kitten harness that was far too small and tight. If she hadn't found shelter, I doubt she could have lived through the -22C weather we got that night.
She followed me from the parking lot down the street to my building, into the building, down to the end of the common hallway to my door, and into my unit, where she ate two cans of cat food, then without even exploring went to the couch and fell asleep for the entire night.
When she woke up, it turned out she had lots of energy, a love of all human beings--even small children--and a serious hate on for other cats. She chased one of my elderly pets upstairs under the bed, and the other one into a corner in the basement.
I segregated her in a bedroom for three weeks, playing with her often, gradually trying to introduce her to my other cats, but it never worked out. (All this time I was trying unsuccessfully to locate any people that might be missing her, using flyers, the local SPCA website, calls to the Humane Society, word of mouth, etc.) She seemed happy in the room and never tried to escape until she saw one of the other cats, but I couldn't leave her there forever. So finally I asked my parents if they would keep her for a while until I could find a permanent home. They had no other pets, and, needless to say (this is a very sweet cat) fell in love with her and she with them and they've been together happily for a year and a half now. (So I still get to see her often, and we have good times together when the parents are out of town and I cat sit for them.)
Lessons & tips: Do try the gradual introduction, but don't be too surprised if it doesn't work out. Most of the time it does, but sometimes not.
This cat (1) had worms; and (2) was not spayed. Do take your stray to the vet as soon as possible, and before you introduce her to other pets.
Be patient and try not to force things or get frustrated or upset, though it's hard when your own beloved pets are in hiding, greeting you with reproachful cries every time you burrow under the bed to be with the one or slip down into the basement with the other.
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Sep 06, 08:29AM PDT
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