The Big Thing: Well, Blackie is still here. I kept him in the basement this morning while LC and Ayla went out for an hour. When they came back inside, I sent Blackie outside, hoping that if he had a home, he would want to return to it.
So I opened the basement door and he walked out. When I closed it, he looked back at me in distress that I hadn't gone out with him. He sat there about 10 minutes, then slowly wandered through the backyard toward the fence. It seemed that he had left and I went off to do some errands.
When I returned, he was at the deck door again, and he has stayed there all afternoon. As far as I can tell, he has not left the yard since he showed up Wednesday. I conclude the following possibilities.
1. If he has a home in the neighborhood, he does not want to return to it.
2. His people may have moved away.
3. He may have been dumped in the neighborhood.
4. He simply likes our yard (semi-wild growth and lots of mice).
5. He cannot find his home.
I think it is a neighborhood cat. I THINK it is one I've seen in previous months (we get a lot of visitors because the property is cat-attractive). Most importantly, last month there were some "lost black cat" notices around on streetpoles. I went looking for any remnants of the notices, but could not find any.
I have created a "Found Cat" notice with a photo of Blackie, but unfortunately, it is going to rain all weekend, and they would be turned to paper-mache. I may buy large ziplok bags to put the notices in.
There have also been a number of homes sold in the previous couple of months. I have this fear that Blackie ran away during all the activity of someone moving out, or that he was deliberately left behind.
I think he is aggressive toward other cats. He certainly chased Ayla and she certainly didn't seem to consider it "play". And Ayla does not seem to be in heat; at least I cannot detect any sign of it.
I will have to allow Blackie into the basement while it rains. I cannot bear the thought of a cat left out in such conditions. Even barn cats have a barn to shelter in...
So, here's the plan...
1. I put up Found Cat notices in plastic Ziplok bags tomorrow morning.
2. I keep Blackie in the basement while it rains.
3. I attach a notice to his collar about contacting me in case he actually goes home and someone reads it.
4. I drive around the neighborhood asking anyone outside if they know his owners.
5. Monday, I call local vets and animal shelters to see who has a microchip reader.
6. Failing a microchip, I look for a no-kill shelter.
7. Failing a local no-kill shelter, I advertize Blackie for adoption.
I'm sorry, but I won't adopt him. I know he likes me, but I just don't want a 4th cat. I had 4 at one time, and it was a bit too much for me. I know some people take care of more; I can't. Even if I tried a 4th cat, it would be a young female playmate for Ayla, and this big guy is not that cat.
Hope for the best!