guess my family has grown UPDATE_info from neighbor

[avalen]

Ummmm...has she pee'd yet? Inquiring minds want to know!

yes, she is using her litter box, although I worry about her spending all her time up on
that shelf, think after I get her vetted I will begin looking for a home for her to get all the
attention she needs. I brought her down last night while the girls were sleeping but she
certainly wanted back up there after a good petting and a short snooping around. It wouldn't
be fair to expect her to live her life on that shelf. She's an indoor cat and loves attention,
and the best part is that she's quiet and doesn't act all needy. I feel bad for her.

[sharon]

Ava, if you really really want to keep her, just give her time. Takes a while for cats to get used to a new home and a new family. She feels safe on the shelf, but she'll come down and join the family when she knows for sure that she's not gonna get eaten by her big sisters.

[Acadianmom]

It takes cats about a week to get use to a new place. My indoor cats would be happy to stay on a shelf because they sleep about 23 hours a day. They will have about 5 minutes of tearing through the house and then have to have a nap.

Martha

[avalen]

funny part...when I got home from work and of course the two girls get to jumpin for joy and wantin their dinner, Lacey also showed her pleasure at
knowing it was time for her dish to get filled up. I'm sure if she was a floor cat she would be rubbing around my ankles while I got her dinner ready.
floor cat instead I have a shelf ornament

[Forestgal]

Ava, hang in there with her. She'll figure out the dogs & let them know who's boss.

It took my kitties, who'd lived with Brandy (my first Lab) TWO YEARS to finally make peace with Jed. Even though he came in as a puppy he was waaay too much energy for them. Plus, he wanted to "play" with them & they'd have none of it. They stayed upstairs (except at night when he was kenneled), and would only venture down when he was sound asleep. After we traveled one summer & were gone for about 3 weeks they decided that they could tolerate him & things haven't been the same since. In fact, if Smudge, the senior-most four-footed member, gets too close Jed's been known to take himself across the room and sit. Guess he's been thumped in the nose enough to know who's in charge.

If Lacey's eating & otherwise doing okay, everyone will sort out their pecking order. She couldn't have picked a better home.

And again, thanks, Ava.

Laura

[Bethers]

And a cat being up above is a good thing. It empowers them. If she was hiding, that would be another story. She's finding a place to perch where she can watch her new home. She's already responding to you. She's had a tough couple weeks. Staying on that perch isn't a bad thing. Especially since she's coming down on her own for food, potty, etc. Give her more time, as others are saying. And even if she does spend lots of time up there, that'll still be ok. Glad she found such a spot to feel safe in - and where she can still be part of the house.

[WickedLady]

Ava, cats like being up high (especially siamese). I had one that staked out the top of an open wall between the kitchen and the living room in my mobilehome. She loved it up there. Don't worry about your new kitty being on the shelf.

[avalen]

I knew she'd feel secure up there and she still comes to the edge for me to give her a pet. Doing some remodeling today to add
a shelf below it going across the other way in front of the window and it will make it easier for her to jump down to the bed
when she wants to. Speaking of which....she just came down to sit in my lap for a little pet. The girls are still sleeping and
don't even hear her purring.

[Echo]

Excellent on you Ava!!! I think you are both lucky to have found each other.

Plus a new bed warmer who will sing you to sleep!!! Doesn't get much better.

[avalen]

talked to a neighbor who knew the neighbor that moved out and left the kitty.....
She's already spayed, WHOOPIE!!! and she is current on her shots. She is one year old (very small for
a one year old) and her name was Lola. Her name is Lacey from now on. But I have an appt tomorrow
at my vet for her, will get her checked out and find out whatever else I need to find out.

[bluepinecones]

I'm glad you found each other. I have no experience with cats but sounds like she is settling in okay and I do know she is lucky she found you.

[BirdbyBird]

Great news on the need for vet services front. It is as if Lacey was giving back to you for Christmas! Get her checked out and she will figure out how she wants to handle living with those other four pawed creatures at you house. She already seems to appreciate the two legged one just fine.

[Liz]

Sounds like Lacey is there to stay. And a lucky kitty she is!