Adding new rescue kitty to home?

[Camz]

Hey guys!

This afternoon, my boyfriend and I found a mother cat and three kittens on the side of the road on our way back from the pool.

We grabbed up a box, and took them all to the humane society. The only one in our county that accepts cats.

Unfortunately, the people at the humane society told us that it appeared that all of the cats had feline herpes, and that they were all in really bad shape, and therefore would not be adoptable and would most likely be humanely euthenized. We wanted to keep one, but they said that the poor kitties could have feline AIDS, feline leukemia, or any other number of parasites and diseases. They said that it would be a bad idea to take one home, because there would be a possibility that it would get my current cat sick.

I was really sad to hear that, and my boyfriend suggested that we adopt another kitten from the humane society. Sort of like we weren't able to save these kittens and momma cat (though we tried) so maybe we can save another kitten who needs a home. We had decided earlier this year that a kitten would be my present for stopping smoking, and I've been smoke free for a while.

As you all know *or may not know* my dog is a pistol, to say the least. She is still very immature minded, even though she is a year plus old. She acts still very much like a young puppy in the home.

My concern is that she would not react well to the new addition of a kitten. She is used to being the "baby" and the center of attention. I do not want to add a kitten to my household if there is a possibility that it will not go well.

I would not want to rescue a kitten only to put it in harm's way. Obviously, there would be no unsupervised time for Orchid and the kitten to be together. Orchid is never EVER unsupervised in the house. See above personality traits, LOL!

Also, I have a large cat who also was a pound rescue. He's very, very laid back *lucky for Orchid* and really could care less about other animals. Obviously, I would carefully introduce everyone to the kitten to ensure everyone's contentment (or at least as content as the situation could warrant).

Does anyone have any advice for me in this situation? Should I hold of getting the kitten for another year or so when Orchid is *possibly* less puppy like in personality?

I suppose I should add that she was somewhat cat aggressive when she was very small. Now, she is not cat aggressive toward our big cat. I'm really glad she matured out of that stage.

So...what do you all think? Should it be a go? If so, what advice do you have? Does anyone have a similar experience? If so, would you please share it with me? Any information would be helpful, and I would be very grateful.

Thanks!

Camz, Orchid & the Naked cat

[Kuchi]

If you really want another cat, then get another cat, as long as you can pay for its vet bills and food, the animals could be okay with it. I think kittens are pretty hardy to new situations. I would be most worried about your other cat. Some cats would take awhile to get used to the other cat. Sorry to say this but it may take more than a year for your pup to mature, it really depends. I think Kuchi will always chase a cat that runs, and so will other dogs. Just keep Orchid on a leash at first so she won't go right for the kitten and see how she reacts.
I'm actually thinking about getting another dog, a rescue, something that will play with him and keep him company when we are gone. Not to get you any new ideas... a kitten and a puppy maybe.

[IceyBlueSibes]

I agree with Kuchi. I think just about any dog would wind up chasing a running cat if given the chance. My guys have been taught to leave the cats alone. They can play, but it has to be gentle and absolutely no chasing unless the cat is insitgating it. Any play is always supervised if it is dog/cat.

Maybe you could ask the shelter if they'd allow you a "trial period"? Where you could bring the kitten home for a couple weeks to see how things go, and if things don't work out as you thought, maybe just foster as a temporary solution?

My cats are pretty open to new kittens. Tags is the only one who is grouchy-pants and doesn't want ANYTHING to do with the other cats (very seldom does she play with them). But Tiki is excellent in accepting new kittens. He's standoff-ish for a bit, but he comes around.

So, I think if YOU want a cat -- go for it. Unless Orchid becomes aggressive towards the kitten is when I would say it's a no-go. But I think it would be good for Orchid, and for her to learn to accept a new animal in the house.

[Camz]

thanks for the replies, guys!

upon further thought (and Orchid's recent behaviors) I think I've decided to wait for a long while to get a kitten.

Orchid's behavior has recently changed toward the cat, and I don't want to put a kitten in a bad situation.

She guards the cat's toys from him (yes I correct this) and for a while she tried to guard his own food from him (I moved it to another room so he could eat) and all in all she pays too much attention to our cat for my liking. She's always following him around and almost "ushering" him out of the room.


My boyfriend is of the mindset that they'll "sort it out" on their own, but I think that's not a good idea.

If I got a kitten, Orchid would probably have to be leashed the whole time the kitten was out. Thusly, I probably wouldn't get to spend a whole lot of time socializing it, because by default all of my attention would be on her.

My boyfriend is not an animal person like I am. He gets annoyed or "forgets" or just plain refuses when he has to do anything with or for the animals, so the whole thing would be on me. I really doubt he'd help out with holding Orchid's leash while I played with the kitten, because he'd see that as "not fair." *sigh* LOL!

Maybe eventually I'll get to add another animal to my household. I do think Orchid needs to be taken down a peg or two, but I don't think that now is the time upon further reflection.

Thanks for all of your help!!!

[IceyBlueSibes]

It's good that you have weighed things out. By the sounds of it, I think I can support your decision. She sounds like she's a bit in a "bossy" stage. lol

My boyfriend is of the mindset that they'll "sort it out" on their own, but I think that's not a good idea.

I don't think so either. There's a limit to where I believe "sorting it out" should be allowed. I think playing is about the only thing I refer that to, but only dog-dog; no way would I allow it if it were dog-cat!

My boyfriend is not an animal person like I am. He gets annoyed or "forgets" or just plain refuses when he has to do anything with or for the animals, so the whole thing would be on me. I really doubt he'd help out with holding Orchid's leash while I played with the kitten, because he'd see that as "not fair." *sigh* LOL!

Wow, does that sound all too familiar LOL My boyfriend sounds the same as yours! He likes animals, but he's not an animal lover. I'm the prime care-taker of the dogs/cats. He'll "help out" if I ask him to for that moment, but ask him to do it for later and he "forgets". Haha He won't even go to the vet with me cause he doesn't want to be the "bad guy" LOL However, he does have random moments where he will feed the cats for me. Giving lovin' and attention is about as far as he'll go!

[Camz]

LOL! We are both the "bleeding hearts!" LOL!

Ah well. My mom used to say, "I tried to take that animal loving out of you by not letting you have many pets. I see that didn't work!" she was just teasing, but she's right...it didn't work.