Friday, October 17, 2003

We've had a stray cat showing up at our door begging for food every day for the last week or so.  He showed up once before about a month or two back, and I fed him then, too.  He'd like to be an indoor cat, and has tried any number of times to come in.  Now, I'm hoping to catch him and at least get him neutered.  We call him "Moocher" -- "Mooch" for short.  Unfortunately, Merlin wouldn't stand for having another cat in the house, so bringing him in is not an option. 

I've been trying to figure out how we can get him into a shelter and adopted.  As it happens, there's a "Nickel Neuter" program going on this weekend by some local vets, including Webster Groves Animal Hospital.  His appointment is 11:00 a.m.  I've made arrangements through a contact at the Cat Network to borrow a trap to catch him.

Little girl

In the meantime, a little female has been showing up, too.  I'm afraid she may be in head.  Nonetheless, if I can catch her and get her spayed, she might have a better shot at adoption because of her age.

The main problem at the moment is getting Mooch into an agency.  For him to be adoptable, he needs to Fe-Leuk free and kept off the streets.

I don't know if I can do that.  Our neighbor has offered to help, but I'm not sure if she and her husband would be willing to temporarily house him on their enclosed carport until I could get him to an adoption center at one of the pet stores.

If not, I guess we're stuck with an outdoor cat until we can find a solution.  At least he won't be making anymore kittens now.  The female may be another problem if she's already pregnant -- a strong possibility.