Abandoned kitten in garden, please help!

[MooMa42o]

i originally posted in the litter tray but have decided to post here also due to the traffic, i really need some help.....

For just over a week there has been a kitten in our garden, looking very sorry for itself, it was shivering & looked very bedraggled! I set up a lil cat box with towels in & fed it, it has not moved from our garden now for 3 days, gets out of the box for toileting & goes back inside again, I have called RSPCA, Blue X, Cats protection & animals in distress, the bottom line is nobody can help, the cat has been put on a few missing lists, but other than that there is little anybody is willing/able to do, I feel so frustrated with this, i was really hoping one of these charities would help, I do not know what the next step is, i cannot have it inside, already have one cat, two toddlers & a very ill father, i cannot cope with another cat, but i can't just ignore it out there!!....Any ideas as what to do next?!...

& before you flame me , i have already been had a go at by the RSPCA for feeding it, i know it was "the wrong" thing to do, but he looked so scared & hungry!

No one can help?

I would go round the neighbours, see if someone can give it a home.

Whereabouts are you? Someone on here may be able to help you.

Thank you for the reply!

nope not one of the charities has space, i have been put on a few waiting lists but these are at least 2 weeks waiting time some even a month plus, i have been up & down all the roads round here asking if they have lost one & nobody offered to take it in then, maybe pushing my luck to ask them to adopt him, & i reckon if he was re homed round here he would still be living in my garden!!

I feel at my wits end with it, can't ignore it, but can't really help either!....

This happened to me a few years ago, a tiny, soaked scraggy little tabby was sat at the french windows clawing at the window and it was lashing it down outside. Already had a cat but could not leave it outside so brought it in and dried her. I contacted all the local vets to see if she was reported lost and knocked on neighbours doors to see if anyone knew who she belonged to. Turned out she had been taken from a farm by a neighbour who then lost interest.

She is now 4 and gorgeous, however I could take her in. Have you put anything on FB (if you have it) or spoken to neighbours? At that age it wont have travelled very far but is obviously totally lost

Aww, that's very sad. Perhaps you could contact your local paper and let them know no charities have been able to help?
They might put a little something in to try and trace the owner or someone who could give it a home.

Perhaps you could print off some 'Missing Kitten' posters with a photograph and post them through some doors around the neighbourhood. I realise this is quite labour intensive though.

I really hope someone's able to give the poor mite a home

Poor kitten :( first up he/she needs a health check before he can go anywhere and I cannot believe everyone has turned you away!!! Perhaps a local radio appeal??? Have you spoken to your local vets to find out if anyone has phoned in
Missing a cat?

Or perhaps you could keep it as a garden cat?

Like some people have house cats. You could just make a wee home for it in your garden and give it a tin of tuna every couple of days. At least you'd know it was safe.

P.S. I've never owned a cat so please forgive me if this is completely abhorent

Try Celia Hammond? They have a few branches but even if you can't get to one they might be able to point you to a rescue in your area?

A small local rescue might be your best bet, they seem to be the ones who will squeeze a desperate cat in even when they don't really have the space or the money. I know a few in S.Yorks if that's any use to you?

I second the local paper idea. You may find the owner or someone may offer it a home. Also do take it to the vet and ask them to check whether it is microchipped. They may have some ideas about rehoming also.

Thank you for all your help, i think i was secretly hoping somebody on here would say oooh i will have him!!

I have contacted the vets, knocked on all the doors in what feels like a 5 mile radius!! searched for local smaller charities, people that will rescue, but it seems we have none nearby, i hadn't thought of contacting local radio/ paper, that is a good idea thanks!

I thought about taking a photo & putting up posters but there are no missing cat posters up & if they are not going to advertise that he is lost then they are not likely to claim him.

I feel like he is going to become a "garden cat" if i can't do anything for him soon, then how long before he becomes an inside cat!...Cannot do it i'm afraid!

I have tried to get to the vets but i don't drive & as mentioned have two toddlers & don't fancy a trip to the vets on foot with a cat box & the little ones, whilst leaving my father unattended!

We doubt he is microchipped he looked so unloved when he first arrived, doubt that money would have been spent on him, & i think he has had three of his whiskers snipped short on purpose, they are very short & cannot think what would have done this by accident!

I am in south west Devon for those that wondered!

There is not a Celia Hammond near us, but thank you for the advice

Bump for you - someone on here must want a kitten!
Or... if all else fails then two cats aren't really any more work than one...
Hope you find him a home soon!

Why did the RSPCA have a go at you for feeding it?

Did they think it would have gone home if you hadn't!

Come on Devon mners - who wants a little kitty? :)

I'll have him

DH would kill me - i'm in west devon.....

I soooooo want this kitten! I have an elderly cat already and I'm sure she'd give it a lick and a cuddle (I think my toddler would too but that's another thread).

If you don't find a home soon, I'll have him/her and give them a very good home.

Oh good - I can sleep tonight! yes, i know there are bigger problems in the world , I'm just a bit kitten - centric

How is your new arrival getting on, Tough ?

Yayyyy two takers!

I wish I were closer to you, I'd deffo take him off your hands.. :(

Aw, that's so sad about her kittens - she looked so young, too, poor thing
Sound like she's found a loving slave home with you, though.

Is Meerkat her name?

I notice you have no photos on your profile though. This is against the law - please remedy this soon!