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Neglected Cat Help!

20 replies

Neglectedcathelp · 11/06/2023 15:11

Hi,

I’m looking for advice please!
My Dad has neighbours who moved next door to him about 8 month's ago, who have multiple cats, the female and male have not been neutered/spayed and they have had their second litter of kittens, I believe the previous kittens were given away but one or two also died. The kittens often come into my Dad’s garden and sometimes he has 5 in his garden which he doesn’t mind. However, the male cat doesn’t look well, he sleeps at the top
of my Dad’s garden and seems lethargic, he also has scabs all over his head and bits of missing fur on parts of his body, his hip bones also protrude and he does look underweight, he also has very pale gums which is a sign of anaemia, it’s clear he has a severe flea infestation that’s not being treated. My Dad leaves food and water in his garden (this is gone within minutes), the male is often trying to come into my Dad’s house and although my Dad would like to offer a safe haven, he doesn’t want fleas in his house. He has today ordered some flea and worm treatment for the cat and is trying to help him but I’m not sure if it’s enough, the owners keep the cats out often, hence why they’ve taken refuge in my Dad’s garden, the problem is they’re all being neglected. The owners are quite hostile and argue and swear at each other often and to their children, so my Dad is reluctant to speak to them and doesn’t want any problems.

What should we do? Would the RSPCA come out and help?

OP posts:
SeasonsBleatings · 11/06/2023 15:15

It's really lovely that your dad is trying to help. I would be wary though of applying flea and work treatment to someone else's cat without discussion in case it should cause any issues if they have already been treated recently.

SeasonsBleatings · 11/06/2023 15:15

*worm

Neglectedcathelp · 11/06/2023 15:55

Thanks for your reply, he has definitely not been treated though, as he is infested, he is so scabby and itching constantly. He doesn’t seem well at all, he didn’t even move when I looked at his gums, he definitely has anaemia as a result of the fleas.

OP posts:
SeasonsBleatings · 11/06/2023 18:13

Oh poor little man. I don't know if the RSPCA get involved in cases like this but might be worth reaching out.

Snozzlemaid · 11/06/2023 18:29

Do you have a local cat rescue that you could contact for help?
If the cats are neglected they may take them in to rehome them.

WetBandits · 11/06/2023 18:36

I would never normally advocate for what I am about to suggest but seeing as an animal is suffering…

I’d be putting him in a carrier and taking him to a shelter. You found him as a stray.

When/if the ‘owners’ ask, you didn’t see any cats but you hope they find him.

SuperGinger · 11/06/2023 18:39

You could also nab him and get him and get him neutered I think vets often do it free in these situations, our local one does.

longtompot · 11/06/2023 20:07

Slightly different situation but there was a post on here recently about an abandoned cat who was living in a cardboard city between some neighbours houses. Everyone was feeding him as he was thin. The op captured the cat & took him to the vets where they found his was very ill. I think he had a foster home for a short while but died a short time later.
If your dad can trap him then I would do as mentioned above, and take him to a rescue. I really doubt he is chipped & he could have a chance of a loving home.

megacat · 11/06/2023 20:17

Our local cat rescue always suggests calling the PDSA to obtain a voucher for veterinary care. This is advised for stray cats that look injured or unwell however although you know who the owners are they clearly don't care for the cat so it's worth enquiring.

Yarnysaura · 11/06/2023 20:18

WetBandits · 11/06/2023 18:36

I would never normally advocate for what I am about to suggest but seeing as an animal is suffering…

I’d be putting him in a carrier and taking him to a shelter. You found him as a stray.

When/if the ‘owners’ ask, you didn’t see any cats but you hope they find him.

This.

BlueKaftan · 11/06/2023 20:22

As others have said please get him some help. He’s in a bad way.

Neglectedcathelp · 11/06/2023 20:29

My Dad is not close me and doesn’t drive or have any pet transporting cages, so I’m not sure how he would catch him, so I think i’d need to try and do this myself, I have cats so would be able to use their carrier. I am going to call Cats Protection tomorrow and get some advice. My Dad has spent £40 on flea, wormers and food over the past few weeks, bless him and he’s not overly well off but wont see them go without.

OP posts:
WetBandits · 11/06/2023 21:04

Neglectedcathelp · 11/06/2023 20:29

My Dad is not close me and doesn’t drive or have any pet transporting cages, so I’m not sure how he would catch him, so I think i’d need to try and do this myself, I have cats so would be able to use their carrier. I am going to call Cats Protection tomorrow and get some advice. My Dad has spent £40 on flea, wormers and food over the past few weeks, bless him and he’s not overly well off but wont see them go without.

Are you anywhere near the South East OP? If so, I have contacts who can help with trapping the poor boy.

Neglectedcathelp · 11/06/2023 21:45

WetBandits · 11/06/2023 21:04

Are you anywhere near the South East OP? If so, I have contacts who can help with trapping the poor boy.

No unfortunately I’m not. Thanks anyway.

OP posts:
BunnyBettChetwynnd · 11/06/2023 21:45

Thank heavens for people like you and your lovely dad OP.

Another vote here for catching the poor cat and getting it to someone who can help. He sounds in a terrible state.

caringcarer · 11/06/2023 22:34

The problem is if the male cat is neglected and has fleas then all of the other cats will too. They will all need flexing every month and worming every other month if they go out. It will be expensive. The scabs are likely from fighting other cats as he is not neutered. Your Dad could report them to the RSPCA or Cats Protection League. I know the latter neuter male cats for free.

TheCathut · 13/06/2023 10:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Neglectedcathelp · 09/07/2023 21:36

I just thought I’d update here.
The poor cat we were trying to help was sadly found dead in one of the neighbours garden. It is very sad 😢

OP posts:
longtompot · 10/07/2023 20:00

That's sad to read @Neglectedcathelp RIP puss cat, now pain free🌈

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 12/07/2023 12:29

un-neutered toms don’t live long.

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