to adopt this cat?

[myownperson]

It has long hair and is both beautiful but manky. We moved in a couple of weeks ago and have a closed up cat flap.

For

She bangs the catlap night after night meowing loudly. It's driving me mad. If I let her in I'd get some sleep.

I'm newly single and would really like a cat for company.

I think she might have fleas. Have spotted a few in the house. Need try to try sort out this weekend. If I adopt her I could de-flea her or whatever you do (have never had a pet).

She's beautiful and rubs against my legs.

My DC would love a cat.

Against

She probably has an owner. I can't verify this. Some of the neighbours a bit scary.

Another mouth to feed.

My ex is allergic so seems a bit insensitive as he comes/goes with kids.

Can you just adopt a cat? Is there a sad owner somewhere ?

[NameChange30]

Firstly, try and find the owner. There is really good advice on this page, as well as a template paper collar and poster you can put up: www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats/straycats

If the paper collar and/or posters don't work, you should take the cat to the vet to check for a microchip. You could also get the cat treated for fleas at the vets (two birds, one stone!) as the treatment vets prescribe is stronger and more effective than the OTC stuff you can buy.

Tbh in your position my main concern would be fleas in the house, I've heard they can be a complete bitch to get rid of so you should get on it ASAP. I've heard Indorex spray is good... But get advice from a vet or the wise Mumsnetters in the Litter Tray section for the best course of action!

[PersianCatLady]

bumsexatthebingo
I see what you are saying but the majority of posters on here didn't advise her to just keep the cat, they tried to advise her about what to do.
However I totally understand your point about not stealing other people's cats.

[TeaRexit]

How long have you lived at the property? It could be her old house.

See if shes microchipped, if she is - they may even tell you if she used to live at your address.

[ReginaBlitz]

No it's not your cat ffs. Sounds like it is the previous owners or just a greedy fuck trying to get food.

[torthecatlady]

Lots of good advice here so far. Keep up updated!

[sm40]

We adopted a cat that turned up. Did microchip (none), paper collar, posters. Vet said cats choose their owners! She is a lovely cat, think neutered so somebody loved her. Think might have been left after house move, or delivery van! Did upset me that somebody might be missing her, but did try my best. Get cat to vet (scanning is free) and they can advise. They also start flea treatment etc.

[ProcrastinatorGeneral]

Picture of the floofy cat please!

Also seconding taking her to the vet for a chip scan, and asking about if the scan is a no-show. Good luck.

[myownperson]

Ok. Thanks for all the replies. I will set about finding possible owners. Thanks for link Emma and advice all. I would not want to break the heart of a loving cat owner.
She is beautiful. Will try get a pic tomorrow.
Urgh, fleas to tackle tomorrow.

[AnotherUsernameBitesTheDust]

I'm glad you're going to try and find the owner.

It's quite raw to me. We lost one cat last year to a family that kept feeding it, despite knowing he was ours and us keeping him in for 2 months they still carried on and we rarely see him now, he runs from us.

And now two blokes who live opposite have been feeding our other cat, and they know he's ours, and he's not actually been home for a week. Looks like we're going to lose him too.

Both these people already have cats, I've got a bloody mind to take theirs and see how they like it. I've got upset kids here who don't understand why these people would deliberately choose to steal our cat.

Sorry for the rant, bit of a sore subject atm.

[TeaRexit]

You have to flea then worm a week later. Then flea evety 4 weeks & worm every 12 weeks. One wont work without the other.

My vet charges £10 a month for this including vaccinations.

[YourNewspaperIsShit]

Please constantly check for an owner, there's a siamese that does this to my house but it only lives over the road and my neighbour told me one of mine (before she was a house cat) used to cry at her door to get in all night while coming nowhere near my house In fact that's why she's a house cat so someone doesn't keep her.

Although it sounds like you would give her a better home (be prepared for hair everywhere I have long-haireds) you don't want to upset anyone's kids, etc.

[YourNewspaperIsShit]

Also the cat could have been flead yesterday by the owner who's struggling with flea treatments so please don't give anything thay could "overdose" the cat on medication until you know for sure that it isn't owned.