From: jonathan@chpc.utexas.edu (Jonathan Thornburg)
Subject: Re: Adopting a Cat
Summary: another good samaritan, if only there were more of you
Keywords: cat lost abandoned human person adopt rescue save good kind ++good
Organization: U of Texas at Austin / Physics Dept / Center for Relativity
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 92 06:35:21 GMT

In article <111860020@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM> jodi@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM
(Jodi Peterson) writes:
>Last night as I was walking to a friend's, a beautiful black
>cat followed me. He hung around my friend's until I left,
>then followed me home. I put him outside last night and fed him
>(he was hungry enough to eat my dog's food), and this morning he 
>was still here (he came back into the house through the 
>doggie door).
>
>So, I'm wondering--
>
>-- what the chances are that he's somebody's pet (he's kinda
>thin and has no collar, but is super-friendly and doesn't really
>look like a stray). I'm planning to put some signs up in the 
>neighborhood and place a newspaper ad. 

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.  If only all cat
owners were as responsible and warm-hearted as you are...
As to advertising in case he's a lost pet, you're doing just
the right thing.

>if his owners show up to claim him, I think I'd like to
>adopt a pound kitty instead.

It's clear that whatever happens, *some* lucky kitty is going to
own you.

>However, I'm interested only in a very mellow,
>affectionate, non-aloof, non-skitzy cat--but how can I tell this
>at the pound, where an animal would probably be nervous and
>not acting like itself? 

This can be (is!) hard to tell.  You have to look at her/his
manner, hopefully the shelter will let her/him sniff you and you
pet her/him.  Of course she/he will be scared, not knowing what's
happening and being exposed to a strange person and environment.
It's especially hard to judge physical condition, since a shelter
cat may still be recovering from malnutrition (or worse :-( )
before arriving at the shelter.

We got Mortina II at a shelter, and chose her by phoning and saying
we were looking for a short-haired female, preferably black.  They
called back a few days later and said one had come in, we drove down
and met her, and (at least for me) fell in love at first sight.  But
it's always a risk, as is any relationship.

>-- if we are able to keep this cat, how long will it take for
>him to adjust to my dog? She's a small dog (cocker) who was raised around
>cats and doesn't chase them, just sniffs a bit and tries
>to play. So far he's cuffed her twice but with his claws retracted. 
>Will he eventually learn to like her (or at least tolerate her)?

Probably -- in general the "expert advice" seems to be that it's best
to just stand back and let them sort each other out, so long as they
don't get too violent.  He (the cat) can certainly defend himself
(claws + very high speed + maneuverability + climb to high places),
and presumably she (the dog) can too (bigger + bark).  Especially if
your dog was raised around cats, they'll probably get along fine after
a week or so.

- Jonathan Thornburg and Mortina II (who is on Thetis Island BC Canada)
  <jonathan@einstein.ph.utexas.edu> or <jonathan@hermes.chpc.utexas.edu>
  University of Texas at Austin / Physics Dept / Center for Relativity
  and (for a few more months) U of British Columbia / {Astronomy,Physics}
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats