DP and I grew up with cats and always intended to get one or two when our house was finished. We've completely gutted the place, so it's taken years, but I think we would be ready to home a cat in about 6 months.
A while back, a wee cat started visiting out garden and beggingn for food. He was flea ridden, miserable and very hungry. Since he was obviously tame, we fed him and treated him.
Subsequently we found out he belonged to a neighbour who works away and merrily left the cat on an automatic feeder for a week at a time.
I spoke to the neighbour about it, but it kept happening, once for a fortnight. Then he got a young Alsatian cross puppy and complained to me that his cat has abandoned him.
Kitty isn't living with us, but I know he visits us and three other neighbours. Neighbour has had him for a number of years, but seems taken with the dog and no doubt neglected him.
I don't encourage the cat, but now it's summer, I'm reluctant to close the doors and windows to prevent kitty entry! Part of me feels guilty, but another part of me thinks his owner was awfully neglectful and it took him 18months to work up to indignation. I won't tempt him with food, but if he wants to sleep in my study in the sunshine, that's okay with me.