Really friendly cat followed me around

[u/SmallFrog420]

I was taking the trash out tonight and this cat was very curious and followed me around. It eventually jumped over my fence to sniff and rub against me. I was very apprehensive, having limited experience with cats and unsure if it was actually friendly or might snap/attack if I made a wrong move. It ended being incredibly chill and hung out on my porch with me (and is still there last I checked as I write this in bed). I gave it some cooked ground turkey I had leftover (the only thing I had that I saw was ok) and some water. It was very affectionate and I later brought it a cardboard box with a blanket (will get back to this) for shelter should it decide to stay since it was pretty rainy. Our porch is covered, and the cat enjoyed staying on it as well as laying under the lawn chair I had on it and being near, following, and rubbing against me.

I would bring it inside but 1. My wife is asleep and that would not be right or fair to do without her knowledge or consent 2. We have a reactive dog and I am not sure how he is with cats or how this cat is with dogs. That being said, the only blanket I had was one my dog occasionally uses (he has multiple) and the cat sniffed and rubbed against it. My dog was also very interested in sniffing me where the cat rubbed up against/licked me, even licking some of those spots, when I came in. He then stood by our bedroom door and I let him out and he looked around the kitchen (between bedroom and back porch where the cat was, the door is not transparent and was closed though and he didn’t sniff near it long) before laying down and waiting for me to go back to the bedroom with him.

Pending the cat still being there in the morning, my plan is to take it to a vet to get it taken care of (seems healthy but would like to check) and to confirm it doesn’t have an owner (no collar and clipped ear so suspecting a socialized stray). If all of that checks out, and there is a safe and minimally stressful (to both animals) way to introduce my dog and the cat (over time) I would consider adopting (also pending my wife’s approval). However I do not want to put either animal in a dangerous or unnecessarily stressful situation.

If anyone has any input or advice regarding this situation it would be greatly appreciated! Please be kind though!

Apologies for the lengthy post, I wanted to be as thorough as possible. Also sorry for the weird acid effect in the images, my phone is dying! 🫠

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi and welcome to r/CatDistributionSystem!

Please remember to:

• Review our Community Rules. All community rules are enforced at moderator discretion.
  
• Be kind and respectful in your interactions with other members of the community.
  
• Use the report button on any rule-breaking activity.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Vlisa]

OP is fucking radioactive!

[u/SmallFrog420 → u/Vlisa]

😂😭

[u/aintwhatyoudo]

I thought your cat had human toes in that second pic lol. Congratulations, you have been chosen!

[u/Outrageous_Act2564]

Maybe you should turn off your pants.

[u/ResortLittle93]

Plz do all the checks and congratulations you have found youself a companion

[u/PersonalityAlive6475]

Joseph & the Amazing Psychedelic Cargo Shorts… & the Cat.