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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to let the cat in?

82 replies

tharsheblows · 13/12/2012 21:38

I'm fine with being unreasonable on this, but please tell me the cat will be ok overnight if it's a stray.

There's a cat outside meowing to get in. I had let it in earlier - thought it was another cat that visits all the houses around here. That one comes, hangs out and leaves, we don't feed it, the owner is fine with it. Anyway, this cat is not that one. It's thin and now, after checking with my neighbour that it's not hers, I put it back out. The cat is very affectionate, so it must belong to someone?

Would I be unreasonable letting it in? It'll be fine if I don't, right? It's just that it's sitting outside the window, meowing so pitifully....

OP posts:
frillyflower · 13/12/2012 21:43

It's so cold tonight. Please let the poor thing in.

SantasComingEarlyHisSackIsFull · 13/12/2012 21:44

Aww, let it in. I would if DH didn't refuse. It will probably adopt you and refuse to leave, but YANBU, OP, ya big soft shite Grin

izzyizin · 13/12/2012 21:44

Why are writing reams on here? Let the cat in!!! And find it a tin of sardines or some such and tear up some strips of newspaper to make it a litter box for tonight as it's far too cold for it to be out.

Ask around the neighbourhood tomorrow and keep an eye out for posters depicting a 'missing cat' on trees/lamposts. A postcard saying 'cat found' displayed in your local vets may result in the feline's owner coming forward.

cheeseandbiscuitsplease · 13/12/2012 21:44

Let it in :) go on. Cats are lovely :) I have an old Tom and a ten week
Old kitten. We all love them to bits. Maybe it is a stray and it's picked you to look after it? :)

DeafLeopard · 13/12/2012 21:45

Aww it's thin, and it's so cold out, let it in, you know you want to be adopted by a cat

acceptableinthe80s · 13/12/2012 21:46

I would have to let in, it's freezing outside. You could take it to a vet tomorrow to see if it's microchipped or ask around your neighbours.

LynetteScavo · 13/12/2012 21:46

Personally, I would have to let it in. But I'm a big softie.

CajaDeLaMemoria · 13/12/2012 21:46

Let the cat in. I've got the stray I let in a few months ago next to me now...he's very warm and loving.

It's freezing. You can let it out again in the morning, but you'll worry about it all night if you don't let it in...or at least I would!

Give it kitty cuddles from us!

ilovesooty · 13/12/2012 21:47

Let it in. It can't stay out there in this weather.

VicarInaTutuDrankSantasSherry · 13/12/2012 21:47

its too cold to not let it in OP.....go on be a love. poor thing....it was minus 5 here at 6pm....

ZebraInHiding · 13/12/2012 21:49

We had this this afternoon! Except the cat looked well fed and had a collar (no name) on. The kids let him in (Gah!) and he wandered around. I think he was just cold. :( I then said to them well you have said hello to him now, and yes, he is lovely, but his people will be looking for him. So I took him outside. He was so cuddly! He sat at our door for ages and even scratched it a few times :(

izzyizin · 13/12/2012 21:51

Please come back and tell us that the moggy has been fed and watered and is now getting toasty warm on your lap or your bed by the fire.

Original poster
tharsheblows · 13/12/2012 21:52

:)

She's in. My husband's getting her some tuna, she's either very hungry or really likes tuna. Or both.

I can just put her outside in the morning to use the loo etc? I'll let her back in if it's cold, then put her out again after the school run.

OP posts:
Original poster
tharsheblows · 13/12/2012 21:54

Also - how can you tell if a cat has a chip? Is there a certain place they go?

OP posts:
DeafLeopard · 13/12/2012 21:54

Well done OP - that is how we acquired our cat

CajaDeLaMemoria · 13/12/2012 21:57

The vet will be able to find the chip. You pass a scanner over the cat and it'll show - they'll look at around the shoulders first, but the chip can move.

I'm glad she is in. Feel free to let her out for the toilet in the morning - mine goes out twice or three times a day for toileting but sits outside the door to come back in afterwards. He used to meow to let me know he was there but he just waits now. He's even got his own seat on the sofa (the best one) and sleeps on our most expensive pillow.

izzyizin · 13/12/2012 22:00

Any vet can scan him/her to see if s/he''s been microchippped.

As s/he'll be in for the night, I suggest you make up a litter box as suggested. When I've acquired new moggies I've shown them the box and put their paws in it and moved them around as if they were digging earth prior to going to the loo - they've cottoned on immediately.

Original poster
tharsheblows · 13/12/2012 22:07

Thank you - and sorry, I missed the first litter box suggestion. It's being made up as I type. And thank you for all the advice, it did seem like she was super hungry and I would have worried all night.

If she is someone else's cat, I think we might have to go get a rescue cat. I was just looking at them online the other day!

OP posts:
JakeBullet · 13/12/2012 22:12

I have a gorgeous little girl who was a stray....abandoned by neighbours after they moved Shock. She is fabulous and very affectionate.

SantasComingEarlyHisSackIsFull · 13/12/2012 22:19

OOh I know where to come now: Izzyizin is the cat whisperer.

OP, I got a rescue cat in September as a fortieth birthday gift. he is the best present I have ever had, I love having a pussy around the place. he has completed our family and makes the house seem more homely. Enjoy your little overnight guest.

Selks · 13/12/2012 22:22

Well done OP. please make sure she has a dish of water as well. Smile

AboutThyme · 13/12/2012 22:23

Sorry but I wouldn't let it in. You have no idea whether the cat is stray or not. If you are worried that the cat is a stray then ask around and check local pet shops/gumtree/facebook to see if someone has lost a cat that matches the description. If you let in a cat that belongs to someone else and it keeps coming to you, imagine how the owners will feel.

Jux · 13/12/2012 22:54

I'm with Thyme on this one. Until you are sure the cat belongs to no one and really does not have a home, you shouldn't let it in and you especially shouldn't feed it.

For all you know, there's frantic owner searching everywhere for their beloved pet. When one of my cats went missing I was wandering the streets practically hysterical, calling her, searching, searching, searching, desperately hoping I wouldn't see her squashed in a gutter. Out for an hour every other hour from the moment I got back from work and then all night, for 2 days.

It is cold outside so you make a nest of old blankets in a large box somewhere sheltered, for the night.

Not having a microchip doesn't mean she doesn't belong to anyone, either.

marriedandwreathedinholly · 13/12/2012 23:12

If one of my cats was lost in this weather I would want then brought into the warm and to be loved and cared for. If the cat has a loving owner he or she will be chipped and you can check for this tomorrow. If not, put up some posters, etc., but look after the cat whilst making sure everyone knows you are looking after the cat and what he or she looks like.

AboutThyme · 13/12/2012 23:14

In the last 8 years I have lost 4 cats to the "kindness of strangers". None of my cats were stray or unloved or underfed. Two were just rangy skinny buggers who were also greedy and affectionate. I really think it is wrong to bring a cat in unless you are at least 95% certain that it is stray. Also, they are furry cats, they won't die because its winter and a tad chilly.

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