Who is being unreasonable? Found a kitten in garden.

[Deathsquito]

I know this should go in the litter tray but posting for traffic before our guest disappears as we don’t know what to do!

Kitten is a female, looks around the age where you would buy one but I didn’t think they are supposed to be running around outside yet. She’s currently playing with my bemused old rescue cats tail in the garden.

Dh thinks we should just leave them to find their way home. He thinks it’s the feckless estates couple who keep buying animals then chucking them outside.

I think we should bring them in and call the local vets to check whose they are. We live on a very busy main road, lots of dogs around (and a neighbours cat has been killed previously).

It’s such a young cat I’m worried it could easily get killed running around loose and I think there is a frantic owner somewhere.

What should we do?

My DH's kitten escaped through a first floor bathroom window the night before she was due to be spayed. She was hungry and looking for food based on the destruction he woke up to in the kitchen (wasn't allowed to eat after 9pm). We had an awful day searching for her and she did eventually turn up outside the front door of his flat but we had almost given up ope as she was so tiny. So glad you've taken her in, there's a good chance she's very loved and missed.

@TheGeneaologist kitten isn't a problem, and might be a blessing.

She's gorgeous. She looks a fair bit bigger than 10 or 12 weeks though so could genuinely have been let out. (I would have helicoptered like mad if it was mine though!)

She looks much bigger than 'the age you would buy one'? I reckon you've just kidnapped a young outdoor cat!

If it is tame enough for you to check the sex 100% it got a loving owner near by.
I think it will depend on your garden settings, but you do mention that a cat has been killed recently, so I would not risk it. I would keep her and go around asking the neighbours. Failing that, ask a vet.
Once you know which one is her garden, you will know if she can go home safely in future visits.
We have a ginger one stroll passed our garden daily. But he was minimum 8 months or so first time we saw him.
I have never spotted such a young kitten without their mother around. I bet you she escaped or they let her out too early and she dashed for it.

She’s mine op send me your address and I’ll come claim her....

What have you called her OP?

She looks bigger than when you first take them home so may be ok to be out but sometimes they do look bigger in photos.

She looks older than you gave the impression of

At least 4 months old.

You've just kidnapped someone's cat

It isn't that young

Lol, I just saw your pictures! I think she is older than 12 weeks indeed.
I think you need to go around knocking on your neighbours doors and ask. She would not venture too far. The most likely thing is that she lives in a house sharing easy access via the back gardens with yours.

Ah, she's lovely OP. Well done for being 'chosen'!

I've fostered and adopted a number of cats over the years. The vet should be able to tell you how old she is and whether she's been spayed, which you could also add to your list of questions if a potential owner shows up.

I'd be very worried that a random would try and claim a free kitten. If she does have an owner, they must have lots of pictures of her already and can show them to you (who doesn't take photos of their kitten?!!)

I'd also suggest worming her, plus check for fleas and treat if necessary. Flea infestation can be serious in very young kittens.

So....if you keep her, what's her new name?

@Loveitloveitloveit

She’s mine op send me your address and I’ll come claim her....

Ahem. I believe that's my kitten...

Lol you’ve just stolen someone’s cat

It looks plenty big enough to be outside op!

😂 it wasn’t a ‘trans’ thing. I’m fairly sure it’s a female from googling but I’m no expert so wasn’t entirely sure!

Yep, I agree that for some reason she looks huge on the pictures but she really doesn’t look that big in real life! I’ve never seen a cat out at this size?

I think it was because I was zooming in and cropping the pictures to avoid identification/my messy house. I do have another picture where she is stood next to DH and you can see how small she is but he won’t let me post it!

That looks like somebody's pet kitten to me. You can't just decide to keep it.

Can you sit her next to a 50p 🤔

From your photos the cat /kitten is not as young as you said they leave their mum at 8 weeks and over. My cat is 2 years old she smsll and petite and is not much bigger than the pics you have shown.

I would have thought she's from a house close by. Maybe put up a few notes on trees or lamp post. So thing on social media. A child is probably missing her

Try and get her sat next to his shoe instead?

I’m not keeping her! I’ve posted on all the lost pages and am in contact with two local vets.

Hope she's home safe and sound too. Hopefully she's been neutered already if she's allowed out. They can get pregnant very young.

@campion

That looks like somebody's pet kitten to me. You can't just decide to keep it.

FFS read the thread before making yourself look silly.

She definitively has owners who are kind to her. Otherwise she would not be that friendly.
No worming/ flea treatment, please. She could already had a dose, and the chemicals can actually harm them if they are given too much.
I hope you find the owner soon.
She is very cute!

I agree with the others, she looks older than 12 weeks. Around 6 months, which is the age young cats are usually let out. You've just kidnapped a young explorer!