We live in a small cul de sac modern development of a couple of block of flats and about 20 terraced / semi houses plus more terraced houses going out of the development. We've always had a cat living here in someone's house and wandering around the courtyard areas in daytime. always gave him a stroke / 'chatted' when passing and he at some pont he was friends with another (someone's) cat but those people seemed to have moved with a cat). He was always happy and lchilled wandering around / owning the area - occasional fight with visitng cats, but hardly any other ones visit.
I thought he belonged to a guy I once chatted to when we stopped to talk about that other cat. He mentioned his own cat so I assumed he meant this one. I haven't seen the guy for months. There was a young couple in o ne of the houses and we saw them inviting the cat in, holding him in his arms etc, inviting both cats in. My neighbour thinks his was his owner, but I stil lthink it as the older single guy.
About a month or so ago the house with the young couply got a 'sold' sign, no one moved in yet. I was away for couple of weeks, and now wehn I'm back a few times i saw the cat and came up to stroke him, he led me to a door 'askng' to let him in, I couldnt obviously. Then todau led me to that Sold house door and really miaowed to be et in. Thankfully there was a sunny patch by that house and after a few strokes he settled there. When I came back, the house he asked to be let in the other day , had their door open and the cat was siting by the door so I chatte dto them - they were telling him they cant let him in but brought out a bowl of car food for him.
I started chatting about him asking to be let in to various doors, and they sad they feed him every morning and night but they have owncat and can't take him in. I said, but hasn't e got an owner? The an replied that he thinks he's stray as he's always hungry and he sees him in the middle of the night out sometmes (maybe works shifts). He never used to be 'always hungry' and was chilled out but I've noticed he's a bit thinner now , not a young cat.
I'm now worried that the poor mite is homeless and it's getting very cold - it's 3 deg tonight, though will warm up to 9deg by the weekend. CAn a cat come to harm being outside in these temps? I only really hav experience with domestoc cats, not strays. But he def wasn't srtay before! He's maybe about 10y.o. and needs a home for winter. I can't take him in - Im on 3d floor and will be going away for a month in Dec. He's nice looking cat, same colouring as Larry No.10 cat. He's independent though and likes to srtoll around - so I'm worried that if we call a cat sheletr/ charity, he'll be pit into some house / cages and would hate that as he's prob never been to these. What to do?
There's also uncertainty - what if that older guy who I thought owned him, is away or in hospital and will come back? I can't imagine the couple who solf the house owned hom and just left him begind? They seemed to be vey fond of him, but possib;y just friendly like I am with cats. Surely they would have found someone for him if moving away, or called the shelter if they though he'd be ok with it?
Or will he be ok just living outside being fed by those peple who feed him daily, and I now got cat biscuits and will also feed him during the day interim? Just no idea if he can survive the cold nights, maybe a vet can advise?
Sorry it's too long, but I love cats and got quite upset today learning about him possibly being homeless and obviously wanting a home as he 'asked' me twice to let him into houses?