Hello and please excuse the long thread, I wish to explain my cat situation.
Prior to cats arriving to my life, I only had 8 years of guinea pig experience. I am trying my best to learn about cats. My worst thought and dread is causing harm with my good intentions to these kitties. I have a deep respect and a healthy amount of fear (they have claws!) of cats.
My first cat, Thomas, is a cat I TNRed with help from the city. I took care of him while he lived outside for about 2 years. He loved the outdoors, but he suffered several small injuries and scrapes. He ultimately dislocated his hip, had surgery (his left back leg is not connected to his hip anymore), and now lives completely indoors, a year inside this April. He is an angel.
My second, Sandy, is an orange lady cat. She arrived grown to the backyard already TNRed. She used to come and go but now the backyard has been pretty much her home for several months. It has taken me a while to gain her trust (aside from the feedings). She spent the harsh winter in my backyard (I checked and I made outside shelter available, which she used). She sticks around what appears to be full time in the backyard and around the house. I do not believe she has a home.
My third cat, Timoteo, sauntered up, a stinky, unkempt adult tomcat, couple of months ago while I was feeding Sandy. I got him TNRed the first week of May because he was getting injured (cat? Human? I do not know). He was overheating (panting, breathing quickly) a couple of days after his TNR release as the heat started marking its arrival. I got him inside and then released him outdoors once he had cooled off and was well. I had to bring him indoors a couple of weeks after (still in May) because he got into a fight. The other animal (perhaps a cat) bit his neck and sunk a claw each into his head and chest. I secured mobile vet care for him because he was still a bit wild (wilder than now, from what I understood from the vet, he was still hormonal), and I could not get him into a cat carrier. He definitely had to stay inside to avoid flies, possible infection, etc. He has always allowed me to pet him, but he has a wild streak. The cat hormones are lower now, and I have been working with him so that he can also be an angel like my Thomas.
Now for my question: is it okay to bring in Sandy due to the Texas heat or I am shooting too high with the cats under my care? Am I being selfish if I bring her in? Because Thomas cannot be allowed to escape outside, she would be strictly indoors at least until the weather cools. Would this be fair for her? For Timoteo and Thomas, being strictly indoors was/is a necessity. I am in the process of completing a catio but it is months away from completion.
I did not want to rush her own trusting process, but it is about to get really hot temperature wise. It is already hot, but it is going to get hotter (over 100 ℉ feeling like 110s ℉), I don’t want her to get sick. She is not too young and does not appear to be too old. I love her and want to offer her the possibility of a home.
Sandy trusts me relatively well. She sits next to me and lets me pet her. She eats near the entrance to the house now. I have picked her up about two times now. She is an angel already.
I have a room prepared for her (each cat has a room already and she would have her own too). I have purchased a Comfort Zone plug in for her room.
I am slowly making introductions (just switching rooms right now) between Timoteo and Thomas. I am in no rush. I know that Timoteo and Sandy used to hang around each other. Thomas had good interactions with another cat named Milo, a beautiful orange cat I tried to help. Milo was skin and bones, and he also had chronic digestive issues that were never resolved. He had to be helped cross over. May he rest in peace and may he forgive my failings.
It is not my wish to have three indoor cats, but I will do so if that is what is best for them. I have reached out to a shelter, and I am giving Timoteo time to know his FIV status more concretely. There is a possibility that he may be adopted out.
I do plan to have a completely physical and bloodwork done for Timoteo (as mentioned especially for FIV) and Sandy. It might take a minute as I get them familiar with their cat carriers, but I will. I will also request that Sandy will be scanned for a microchip.
Thank you in advance for everyone’s time and advice.
Prior to cats arriving to my life, I only had 8 years of guinea pig experience. I am trying my best to learn about cats. My worst thought and dread is causing harm with my good intentions to these kitties. I have a deep respect and a healthy amount of fear (they have claws!) of cats.
My first cat, Thomas, is a cat I TNRed with help from the city. I took care of him while he lived outside for about 2 years. He loved the outdoors, but he suffered several small injuries and scrapes. He ultimately dislocated his hip, had surgery (his left back leg is not connected to his hip anymore), and now lives completely indoors, a year inside this April. He is an angel.
My second, Sandy, is an orange lady cat. She arrived grown to the backyard already TNRed. She used to come and go but now the backyard has been pretty much her home for several months. It has taken me a while to gain her trust (aside from the feedings). She spent the harsh winter in my backyard (I checked and I made outside shelter available, which she used). She sticks around what appears to be full time in the backyard and around the house. I do not believe she has a home.
My third cat, Timoteo, sauntered up, a stinky, unkempt adult tomcat, couple of months ago while I was feeding Sandy. I got him TNRed the first week of May because he was getting injured (cat? Human? I do not know). He was overheating (panting, breathing quickly) a couple of days after his TNR release as the heat started marking its arrival. I got him inside and then released him outdoors once he had cooled off and was well. I had to bring him indoors a couple of weeks after (still in May) because he got into a fight. The other animal (perhaps a cat) bit his neck and sunk a claw each into his head and chest. I secured mobile vet care for him because he was still a bit wild (wilder than now, from what I understood from the vet, he was still hormonal), and I could not get him into a cat carrier. He definitely had to stay inside to avoid flies, possible infection, etc. He has always allowed me to pet him, but he has a wild streak. The cat hormones are lower now, and I have been working with him so that he can also be an angel like my Thomas.
Now for my question: is it okay to bring in Sandy due to the Texas heat or I am shooting too high with the cats under my care? Am I being selfish if I bring her in? Because Thomas cannot be allowed to escape outside, she would be strictly indoors at least until the weather cools. Would this be fair for her? For Timoteo and Thomas, being strictly indoors was/is a necessity. I am in the process of completing a catio but it is months away from completion.
I did not want to rush her own trusting process, but it is about to get really hot temperature wise. It is already hot, but it is going to get hotter (over 100 ℉ feeling like 110s ℉), I don’t want her to get sick. She is not too young and does not appear to be too old. I love her and want to offer her the possibility of a home.
Sandy trusts me relatively well. She sits next to me and lets me pet her. She eats near the entrance to the house now. I have picked her up about two times now. She is an angel already.
I have a room prepared for her (each cat has a room already and she would have her own too). I have purchased a Comfort Zone plug in for her room.
I am slowly making introductions (just switching rooms right now) between Timoteo and Thomas. I am in no rush. I know that Timoteo and Sandy used to hang around each other. Thomas had good interactions with another cat named Milo, a beautiful orange cat I tried to help. Milo was skin and bones, and he also had chronic digestive issues that were never resolved. He had to be helped cross over. May he rest in peace and may he forgive my failings.
It is not my wish to have three indoor cats, but I will do so if that is what is best for them. I have reached out to a shelter, and I am giving Timoteo time to know his FIV status more concretely. There is a possibility that he may be adopted out.
I do plan to have a completely physical and bloodwork done for Timoteo (as mentioned especially for FIV) and Sandy. It might take a minute as I get them familiar with their cat carriers, but I will. I will also request that Sandy will be scanned for a microchip.
Thank you in advance for everyone’s time and advice.