I just accepted a stray (from the forums) from a town an hour away. I need advice on how to handle this cat at first. do I let him out?? Will he try to go back even tho its far?

I dont know for sure which cat I am taking, they are both strays and this man brought them back form malnutrition, so we are still srranging this move.

I would like advice and tips for this poor little soul.

Every cat, not only a stray, need to learn his new home first. I would keep your new kitty in for at least 3 weeks, introducing him gradually do all parts of your home - one room at the time.
What about your other cats? Are you sure they´ll accept the new one without any problems?

Every cat, not only a stray, need to learn his new home first. I would keep your new kitty in for at least 3 weeks, introducing him gradually do all parts of your home - one room at the time.
What about your other cats? Are you sure they´ll accept the new one without any problems?
they accepted lou and Im hoping they accept this one. Lou was used to me and his surroundings when I took him in but this one is coming form a distance. I appreciate your advice and will follow it. If it doesnt work out I will try to find him a new home (not the shelter) but they did ok with lou. Thanks Rangoon!

I also recently adopted a stray and the vet said that it is best to keep the cat indoors for at least 4 to 6 weeks. The cat was very thin and full of worms and fleas. She is now a happy, healthy cat and my other cats love her. It took a while for them to accept her but they are now best friends. It is best to let the new kitty settle in before introducing it to your other cats. Give the new kitty its own litter tray and food bowls, even after introducing it. My vet also told me to buy new blankets for all my cats and after a week or two I had to swop the blankets around, this really helped to get my other cats to get used to her smell and she got used to theirs. I also left her room open, but divided it with mesh so that the cats could see each other without any harm. The most important thing is to have lots of patience and to reassure your other cats that they are not being replaced. Good luck

Hey Teri, sorry I missed this thread until now. How is it working out with your new addition? It´s important to take it slow and introduce them gradually. And like SDW says, keep them indoors for awhile (4-6 weeks sounds good). By then, the new one will have become accustomed to you and will recognize your home as territory and will probably stay close. I´d make sure your new kitty is de-sexed before letting them out too (not only to prevent unexpected litters, but to decrease their interest in wandering too far). There are several threads with advice on gradual introductions. I posted in a couple and can find one for you and send you the link if you like.

when I take in ferals I first give them a room of their own with a new sandbox and food/ water just for them (if littermates I leave them together naturally)... first of all they get flea-treatment and worm-treatment (if not too shy see the vet too - depends if they can stand a kennel-trip)

once they are "established" (stopped climbing up the walls - start purring etc) I introduce them to my other cats - first 1-2 of my cats come to visit the "newbies" for 1-3 h... if that works out well next day again... mostly within 1 week I introduce them to all "house-cats" and if the ferals are potty-safe and in good terms with at least one of the house-cats the door to the "arrival"-room stays open 24/7 and after a few weeks the additional sandbox in there isn´t needed any more