Community Chat

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Hello everyone. I've never posted in the pet lovers section before, but I've read some here and am hoping you ladies can help me. First off, I've been a dog owner all my life and know nothing about cats.

A year ago our family relocated. About six months ago, we noticed an extremely skinny and wounded cat hanging around our driveway. Of course, I couldn't stand by and watch this poor cat without helping it, so we started feeding him. Within a few weeks, he was happy, healthy and living and eating in our garage. He was jumping up in our laps and letting us hold him. He is the sweetest cat I've ever been around. I was worried about getting too close, as we had no idea where he had come from or if someone would come looking for him. Fast forward to today, he is still with us and he is a half inside, half outside cat. We have all fallen in love with our Monsieur Meow.

Since there were no sign of owners, I took him to the vet today. I figured vaccinations, etc. whatever a cat needs. She said he seemed to be a healthy 2-3 year old male cat (un-neutered). Told her I wanted to schedule neutering ASAP. She suggested since he had been living outside for an unknown amount of time before we had him, she wanted to test for Feline Leukemia. I said sure -- it came back POSITIVE. She explained the whole disease and said he needed to be kept inside. I am shocked and saddened.

How can I keep a once wild, outside cat inside. He is use to coming and going as he pleases? If it is possible to keep him in, how do you litter train an adult cat. He has been doing his business outside all this time. Any suggestions you have would be helpful. Thanks for taking the time to read this.