Adding a cat to a two cat household

Question
I had a very cute and friendly outdoor kitten < 1 year old (Puck) that disappeared about 3 years ago.   Since that time the three other cat we had at that time have died.  I now have a 20 month old male cat (very  laid back) and a 8 month old female kitten (a demanding naughty cat.  Both are neutered/spayed and are indoor/outdoor cats.

I was just contacted by my neighbor that Puck seems to have returned to the neighborhood...and is wandering but not feral.

Assuming the cat is Puck and I can't find whoever has been taking care of him, should I even consider taking him back into the household?  What problems should I anticipate and take measures to avoid?

Thank you!

Answer
Hi Heidi,

Sure, I don't see any problem taking Puck back into the fold.  Is Puck neutered?  If not that would be the first thing to do to make the transition easier and might be the reason he left in the first place, to roam and find a girlfriend.  Before allowing him back in the house, though, I would have him checked by a vet to make sure he doesn't have any diseases that he could give to your other cats and get him vaccinated (as your other indoor/outdoor cats should be).  Don't be surprised if there is some hissing and snarling going on between your new cats and Puck, and they may never be friends, but as long as they learn to tolerate each other that's okay.  If you can, bring Puck back and let him get used to you first for a couple of days before introducing him to the others.  That way it won't be such an overload for him and the others will smell your scent on him and be more likely to accept him.  I usually just put the cats together, giving them room to get out of each other's way of course, and let them sort it out.  As long as there isn't a big fight where one of the cats, or you, are in danger of getting hurt, I would let them do their hissing and posturing and figure out which one is going to be dominant and who is going to be submissive.