Looking for some advice please. I found this forum almost by accident while looking for some information on how to rehome a cat but on reading a lot of the forum posts I wonder if you guys might have some ideas to help me.
I have 2 cats of my own (brother and sister adopted after taking them in after they were found as kittens dumped in a car park. They are now 3). For about 18 months a cat has been coming in my cat flap, stealing food then running away. At first I thought he had a home as although he was always starving he was reasonably clean although he always ran away as soon as I got anywhere close to him. Over the past 6 months or so he has basically moved himself in - getting bolder, coming to say hello etc. As soon as I was able I put a collar on him with a message for any owner to phone but have never heard anything. It did not take long for him to make himself at home - he sits on my knee at any opportunity and will follow me around (I think usually looking for food!) He has never got on with my own 2 cats but initially things were ok in that they just avoided each other. However, now my own cats won't come in the cat flap and have for 3 months been using the front window or only coming in the door (so if I am not there they are stuck). If they are in I sometimes shut him in the kitchen (where he can get out) but he often ends up round the front looking for me. I have tried to expose them gradually via glass doors etc (mine just hiss and run away) If there are any times where they get to close he tends to chase them. The situation seems to be getting worse rather than better - 2 attacks in the past week by him (lots of fur) and my male cat had a bite abscess a few weeks ago. I have taken the stray to the vet to check for a chip (none) and got him neutered while we were there (a bit of a trauma getting him in the box!) This was 3 months ago but doesn't seem to have calmed him. I have feliway plugged in, I let them explore where each other have been (although my cats refuse to go in the kitchen where I initially tried to keep him).
I am at my wits end and am looking into rehoming as after being attacked last night my boy was rigid with fear and it is really upsetting to see how distressed he was. The girl cat copes a wee bit better but still hisses and growls when she sees him.
So does anyone have any ideas of what if anything I can do next? Would be sad to see him go he is very affectionate. I think he will make a great cat for someone who is in a lot - he constantly wants to sit on your knee (or eat!)
Thanks in advance, sorry for such a long post!
Stray cat woes
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Lilith
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Re: Stray cat woes
Hi and welcome 
Ohh dear yes - I've had my share of these guys. I live in an inner city area and all my lot are rescues; two came in off the street and in the past there have been more; at one point I had two lads who moved themselves in as hungry feral toms; one was very aggressive and tried to 'rule' the previous lad, and there were fights...
My cats all knew each other though, from being on the street together, and this did help. One big help is that you've got your lad neutered and his testosterone will soon be on the wane (lol I tempted my two boys into the carrier with tuna) but his dominant behaviour isn't good for your resident cats; he obviously intends to take over and rule the roost.
A behavioural ploy I used when tomcat 2 (Ali) tried to bully tomcat 1 (Finn) was a plant spray. If Ali had Finn cornered I'd sneak up and squirt Ali under his tail...very undignified, and it caused him to whip round, thus losing face with Finn, backing down in fact. Things weren't always so simple; sometimes I'd pick up Finn and Ali would go for me! In the end I used to pick up Ali and shove him into another room...it was all rather chaotic but in the end they did live quite amicably together for many years, but they were old codgers by then. Your lot are younger and New Cat sounds more than determined to win the battle.
It could be a good idea to give your area or postcode, whatever you're comfortable with, and post a photo if you've got one; he sounds a lovely cat and if someone on here near you is looking for a cat, perhaps preferably in a one-to-one relationship, you might get a result...obviously you'll need to check the home out; there are rescue workers on here who will be able to advise - and there's also a network of rescues and shelters on facebook - I don't do facebook but there are people on here who will know.
You must feel sad about considering parting with him - these feral lads don't half know how to turn on the charm, besides being one of the most loving type of cat ever but I agree you've got a duty to your previous two...I do hope the situation can be resolved happily, either by his lordship learning some manners and learning to share you with the residents, or else finding a forever home.
There will be other people on here with more experience and better advice but hope this helps for now. All the best and stay in touch
Ohh dear yes - I've had my share of these guys. I live in an inner city area and all my lot are rescues; two came in off the street and in the past there have been more; at one point I had two lads who moved themselves in as hungry feral toms; one was very aggressive and tried to 'rule' the previous lad, and there were fights...
My cats all knew each other though, from being on the street together, and this did help. One big help is that you've got your lad neutered and his testosterone will soon be on the wane (lol I tempted my two boys into the carrier with tuna) but his dominant behaviour isn't good for your resident cats; he obviously intends to take over and rule the roost.
A behavioural ploy I used when tomcat 2 (Ali) tried to bully tomcat 1 (Finn) was a plant spray. If Ali had Finn cornered I'd sneak up and squirt Ali under his tail...very undignified, and it caused him to whip round, thus losing face with Finn, backing down in fact. Things weren't always so simple; sometimes I'd pick up Finn and Ali would go for me! In the end I used to pick up Ali and shove him into another room...it was all rather chaotic but in the end they did live quite amicably together for many years, but they were old codgers by then. Your lot are younger and New Cat sounds more than determined to win the battle.
It could be a good idea to give your area or postcode, whatever you're comfortable with, and post a photo if you've got one; he sounds a lovely cat and if someone on here near you is looking for a cat, perhaps preferably in a one-to-one relationship, you might get a result...obviously you'll need to check the home out; there are rescue workers on here who will be able to advise - and there's also a network of rescues and shelters on facebook - I don't do facebook but there are people on here who will know.
You must feel sad about considering parting with him - these feral lads don't half know how to turn on the charm, besides being one of the most loving type of cat ever but I agree you've got a duty to your previous two...I do hope the situation can be resolved happily, either by his lordship learning some manners and learning to share you with the residents, or else finding a forever home.
There will be other people on here with more experience and better advice but hope this helps for now. All the best and stay in touch