Stray cat - what to do, if anything?

[lostindubai]

Guessing he's a stray. He's very skittish and has scabs all over his face. Also seems to be a whole tom. Seen him regularly over the years. Starting to worry about him a little as he is looking worse than before. Clearly a big strong tom though. What if anything can I do to help him? I have my own cats so I'm pretty sure he's not looking to move in!

[GratefulHead]

Hi lost, can you contact the Cats Protection people? They do a "trap, neuter and release" thing as far as I know and they will give him a health check at the same time to deal with his skin issues.

[lostindubai]

Not sure they work in this area but I will check today. There are so many cats around here they would probably keep catching the wrong ones! I will definitely check though. Thanks.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'd feed him, he sounds in poor condition. Which area do you live in?.

[cozietoesie]

I'm guessing here from your user name. Are there any cat charities out there?

[lostindubai]

I am in the UK (username refers to a past experience) but there's no cats protection branch in my town. I'll contact the nearest one tomorrow to see what they say. Was floored by a migraine today so couldn't do anything

I can't get near enough to this cat to feed him. The minute he sees me looking at him he dashes off. He looks in our window, I guess to see where my cats are? He's so timid bless him.

[isseywithcats]

you could provide him with some shelter even a cardboard box covered in plastic with a small door hole in it with some straw inside (not blankets they get wet) would keep him warm in this weather (its snowed again here in halifax, put some food out for him in the same place at a regular time each day he will get used to being fed and should turn up on a regular basis, then get in touch with CPL who if nothing else will trap neuter ane release him back to your area if hes too skittish to be rehomed

[cozietoesie]

The rescues tend to talk to each other so I'd get in touch with on of those nearby and explain the situation. (They'll probably be so pleased that you only want to borrow something and not to give them a cat that they'll fall over themselves to help.) Have a look here for details of shelters in your area.

Best of luck.

[cozietoesie]

Yes - we're to have snow tonight.

[lostindubai]

I can provide shelter but sadly not food as both my cats are on strict diets and must not eat more than what we give them. Anything I leave out would be eaten by them straight away greedy little buggers. This stray only comes by once in a while so I think he has a large territory. Wonder what the cat people will suggest.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, everyone

[lostindubai]

Thanks for the link cozie maybe I'll ring a more local rescue tomorrow. Wasn't sure if a small organisation would have the resources to help but worth a try I guess.

Southeast here so no snow forecast thankfully!

[fenneltea]

I used to feed a stray feral cat (who is now living happily with us!) I also have several cats with special diets; the way I got around it was to put food out on an evening once my cats were in for the night. The stray soon got used to coming at a certain time and ate the lot.

I also bought my own humane trap which was about £30 (the ones used for rabbits are a suitable size for cats) which meant I could get them neutered.

Feral/stray cats have such hard little lives, it is good that you are able to help one.

[sashh]

Agree with leaving some food out. I used to feed a couple of strays, they got tame enough to come in the house but only with the door left open, try to close it and they would act as if they had been sent down for 20 years for something they didn't do.