I recently moved and the apartment community I now live in is home to several stray cats that roam about the premises. They all appear healthy and well-fed (there is an abundant lizard population in the area and neighbors put food out sometimes), and all are fairly wary of strangers.
I noticed a smaller orange cat who likes to bask in the sun around my apartment and decided to befriend it. I later noticed that it is definitely a "HE" due to his large intact walnuts. My roommate has nicknamed the cat Morris. At first he was afraid of me, but after some cooing and petting and patience, he trusted me enough to come near me. Then I started to feed him, and we have become good friends. He comes running and mewing whenever he sees me or hears the front door open. It's completely adorable and I'm starting to fall in love with him.
Morris often gets picked on by the other cats in the neighborhood because he is smaller than they are, though he is still rather stocky and muscular. I often go out and chase the other cats away when they are picking on him. Here is a photo of Morris after I fed him one day.
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He is a handsome boy, but his white areas are almost gray because he is very dirty. After petting him, my palm is almost black. He is in dire need of a bath!
I am thinking about adopting him, but I already own two cats (both spayed females, one lives with me and the other is temporarily staying with my parents) and I'm not sure how I would go about "indoor-izing" him. He is very loving and affectionate which leads me to believe that he was someone's pet once. I do invite him inside whenever I open a can of food for him, and he has explored some of the apartment but he mostly keeps near the door. Of course I keep my own cat shut inside my room if I allow Morris inside because I am worried about the possibility of FIV/FeLV.
I was thinking of taking him to a vet for an evaluation, to check his general health and test for FIV/FeLV etc., because if he tests positive there is no way I could adopt him. Is there anything else I should do? For now I give him attention and food when I see him, and I keep a bowl of fresh water on the porch (it frequently gets emptied which leads me to believe there isn't a fresh water supply nearby).
I will be moving away from this area in late December so I should get the ball rolling if I want to adopt him or perhaps put him into a rescue program. Does anyone know of any no-kill rescue programs in LA/surrounding area? I actually live in what's called the "inland empire" but a drive to LA is no problem. I would be willing to sponsor his care including neutering/vaccines.
Thanks all
I noticed a smaller orange cat who likes to bask in the sun around my apartment and decided to befriend it. I later noticed that it is definitely a "HE" due to his large intact walnuts. My roommate has nicknamed the cat Morris. At first he was afraid of me, but after some cooing and petting and patience, he trusted me enough to come near me. Then I started to feed him, and we have become good friends. He comes running and mewing whenever he sees me or hears the front door open. It's completely adorable and I'm starting to fall in love with him.
Morris often gets picked on by the other cats in the neighborhood because he is smaller than they are, though he is still rather stocky and muscular. I often go out and chase the other cats away when they are picking on him. Here is a photo of Morris after I fed him one day.
He is a handsome boy, but his white areas are almost gray because he is very dirty. After petting him, my palm is almost black. He is in dire need of a bath!
I am thinking about adopting him, but I already own two cats (both spayed females, one lives with me and the other is temporarily staying with my parents) and I'm not sure how I would go about "indoor-izing" him. He is very loving and affectionate which leads me to believe that he was someone's pet once. I do invite him inside whenever I open a can of food for him, and he has explored some of the apartment but he mostly keeps near the door. Of course I keep my own cat shut inside my room if I allow Morris inside because I am worried about the possibility of FIV/FeLV.
I was thinking of taking him to a vet for an evaluation, to check his general health and test for FIV/FeLV etc., because if he tests positive there is no way I could adopt him. Is there anything else I should do? For now I give him attention and food when I see him, and I keep a bowl of fresh water on the porch (it frequently gets emptied which leads me to believe there isn't a fresh water supply nearby).
I will be moving away from this area in late December so I should get the ball rolling if I want to adopt him or perhaps put him into a rescue program. Does anyone know of any no-kill rescue programs in LA/surrounding area? I actually live in what's called the "inland empire" but a drive to LA is no problem. I would be willing to sponsor his care including neutering/vaccines.
Thanks all
