What to do re cat that's moved in but isn't mine?

[Destinysdaughter]

Bit of a long story. A few years ago I moved in with my dad who had dementia, to look after him. My mum was in a nursing home as she'd had a severe stroke. When she was alive, there was a timid little black and white cat who used to hang about outside the back door whom she encouraged to come in, but was too nervous to do so. When I lived there, this cat would come in occasionally and sit on my knees, padding and purring loudly. My sister started feeding him and now he comes round here all the time, we feed him and he sleeps on my bed. I know he does have other owners as a few years ago he was injured by another bigger cat who slashed his face and I could see the wound had been treated.

I'm living in my parents' house as my dad is now in a care home and my sisters want to sell the house as it's a 3 bed with a big garden and too much for me on my own.

My dilemma is, this cat feels like it's mine and is obviously very happy and comfortable here. He was very timid initially, would crouch down if you went to stroke him, as if he was anticipating being hit, and is still pretty jumpy but will now comfortably sleep on my bed. I love him dearly but have no idea who his owners are or how they treat him. So, when this house is finally sold, do I take him with me, or just accept that he has another home, despite the fact that he spends most of his time here? I'll miss him but I just want him to be happy. Should I try and find out who his real owners are? And if so, how could I do that?

And btw I haven't ' stolen' someone else's cat, this whole process started before me, but I have encouraged it. I wish I could just sell the house to someone who would love him as much as I do but that's not going to happen is it?

[Destinysdaughter]

Here he is!

[Crumpet1]

Tough one. I love my cats dearly and would be heartbroken if they went missing, but I'm also a firm believer that they will choose their home and you just have to accept it.

When will you be moving? Does he have a chip? You might be able to feel it in the back of his neck.
You could take a photo of him and put it on your local towns Facebook page asking if anyone knows who he is.

[Crumpet1]

Gorgeous!

[Destinysdaughter]

Thanks Crumpet. I don't know if he has a chip. Can't feel anything. If I definitely knew he didn't have an owner I would take him. He definitely is much better fed than he was when he first came around. He's currently curled up in front of the fire!

[Destinysdaughter]

Like this!

[LaurieFairyCake]

I'd take him to the vets to check for chip. Then I'd keep him but keep an eye out for posters/Facebook/contact cpl to then see if someone is missing a cat.

Lovely, lovely cat

[Destinysdaughter]

Thanks all for your cat appreciation and yes he is gorgeous! Hoping to sell the house in about 6 months time as it needs quite a bit of work on it. Re cats being happy, is it the owners or their environment that makes them happier? The cat currently has a huge, safe garden to roam around in, as well as the gardens around it. When I move, it would be with a much smaller garden and more urban than suburban.

[FuckyNell]

Buy a cat collar and slip a note in it?

[LaurieFairyCake]

I think it's good owners that make a cat happy unless it's feral.

You will need to keep it in for a good month once you take it home so it gets used to it.

[timtam23]

Beautiful cat! You can download & print off a paper collar for the cat, from RSPCA I think. Write your phone number on it with a message asking owner to give you a ring - if no contact, and no chip, it may be that there is no other owner.

[abbsismyhero]

re the scratch it might not have owners just someone else part time who took the cat to be treated? friend of mine her cat moved in with a neighbour and had an accident the neighbour paid the vet bill even though it technically wasn't her cat and still came to her old home for meals so it could have been someone nice thinking she is a stray

[Ataraxy]

You need to find the owner. If you take the cat you could easily leave a heartbroken family behind. Some cats are tarts like that.

[insertimaginativeusername]

My cat used to be a tart in her younger years as ata describes above. She liked to be out and about during the day but also loved people. Any people. So she would run to anyone that she saw outside or heard in back gardens. One family took this to mean she must prefer them and claimed her. Was all very upsetting and resulted in a very angry lady telling me I'd stolen her sons cat when I finally got her back! We've moved since and she is in much better health without all the extra food.

She's an older girl now and can't be bothered.

Moral is, cats do usually have owners and it isn't fair to allow them into another house and let them get comfortable as they will then treat it as their own. Please do take the cat to the vets to check for a chip and seek advice.