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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Calling Catneuterer!..and other Litter Tray Regs!

175 replies

crazynanna · 23/01/2014 19:21

I am working (on a rotation basis) for a few weeks at a North London Health Centre with a small block of flats next door. I have my coffee (and ciggie Blush) near the flats and their carpark. For the last couple of weeks, I have had the company of a beautiful tabby and white gorgeous boy, very vocal. Seen him most days, and the other day noticed he was lying in the small bush whilst it was raining. He immediately came to greet me, and I noticed the bush grass was very flattenend (making me think he was sleeping there) and a small plastic food and water bowl.

A lady came from the flats and said to me "oh, that's X's cat...she has been flooded out of her flat and is in a hotel, and can't take the cat. Someone is feeding him, and he is sleeping in the bush" I was a bit Hmm.

Next day coffee time, I met X. She said she 'inherited' him 3 years ago from the lady at 42, who didn't want him really, and she can't take him to the hotel, she has to come 8 miles every day to feed him, and is upset as he hates sleeping outside in the rain. Her flat is so badly damaged, she doesn't think she can return, and wants to rehome the cat. He's 8 but looks much younger and is well cared for. She mentioned rehoming to original owner, who is not keen, but won't take him back.

This is breaking my heart. I got to work an hour early today, made a shelter from a cardboard box with black bags for rain, with a high plastic cushion and blanket. Brought feeding bowls and food, and I am going to feed him every day (will go on weekends too). He is so miserable and sad looking, and my girl will hate him, as she hates all cats.

Help!!!! What shall I do?

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 24/01/2014 16:44

Oh well done. You must be so relieved.

crazynanna · 24/01/2014 16:55

Grin Guys..you cannot know how relieved I feel..so,so very happy for him.

My colleague is the sweetest, softest most lovely person, and she is a cat person. Has not had a cat for 10 years since her girl died from old age. Unfortunately she's been trying for years to conceive and it hasn't happened, and she has accepted it. So..Stan is going to be soooo spoilt. She has decided on Iams dry and Sheba on weekends Grin and whilst at work, sent her DH a list of things to go buy.

She is really, really worried about letting him out and him running away.So a bit of help please?

  1. Any cat websited to give her tips on letting out a cat into new territory
  1. Any tips on settlling him in tonight?

I will email her any links.

Thanks

Oh yes..couple of pics of Stan on my profile. One of him in my feeble attempt of a shelter whist he's eating, and one where he was walking so is all blurry

OP posts:
teenagetantrums · 24/01/2014 16:55

I love a happy ending. Im sure the kitty will be happy in his new home.

cozietoesie · 24/01/2014 16:57

Oh he's a handsome chap - no wonder she fell for him!

Fluffycloudland77 · 24/01/2014 16:58

Cat international, it used to be called feline advisory board. Lots of good info on there.

chemenger · 24/01/2014 17:01

I suspect that Stanley will be so pleased to be warm and dry that he will need very little settling in. I would keep him in for at least a couple of weeks to make sure he knows where he belongs. Then let him out, in daylight just before a mealtime, so hunger brings him back.

This is such a perfect outcome, well done!

cozietoesie · 24/01/2014 17:02

\link{http://www.icatcare.org/advice/cat-care/helping-your-new-cat-or-kitten-settle\Here's} a link for her. Much of the guidance is about kittens (although there's a degree of commonality) but there's a section about adult cats at the bottom.

And tell her she can always come here for advice of course. Stanley is her passport!

crazynanna · 24/01/2014 17:06

Thanks all. Will post her all the guidance and links.

Is the emptying your hoover into an open bag and leaving it at the back door a myth?

OP posts:
LastOneDancing · 24/01/2014 17:07

I have glassy eyes at this thread! I'm a sucker for a happy ending!!

I couldn't bear to think of any cat cold and hungry. They all deserve a loving owner to look down upon and shove off the sofa... Smile

Brilliant news Crazy. Fantastic job.

cozietoesie · 24/01/2014 17:08

I've never needed to do it but it would make some sense given their keen noses.

crazynanna · 24/01/2014 17:10

Isn't it just the most fantastic news? Smile

OP posts:
crazynanna · 24/01/2014 17:10

I was not going to give up on him. Not at all. No siree.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 24/01/2014 18:15

Oh that's wonderful news. I'm so happy. You should tell her to keep him in for at least three weeks before letting him out so that he gets to think of it as home. There should be no problem with letting him out after that.

TamzinGrey · 24/01/2014 18:45

Only just caught up with this. Crazynanna you are so lovely. Good luck Stanley - I think you've landed on your feet this time. What a pretty cat.

Scarletohello · 24/01/2014 18:54

Oh I love a happy ending to an abandoned kitty thread! Well done all, so glad kitty has a lovely new home :)

issey6cats · 24/01/2014 20:05

have read all the way through this thread didnt comment as everyone else was giving you advice and support so had nothing to add but so happy to see that stanley will have a super new home only thing i can add is tell your friend to check if hes neutered and get him microchipped neuter will stop him wandering after ladies and chip if he does go walk about is a good way of getting himm back if someone takes him to a vets for checking

timtam23 · 24/01/2014 20:58

Crazynanna what a wonderful update, I was driving home from work in the pouring rain thinking about this thread and hoping Stanley was ok. You've had great advice for your friend about keeping him in for a few weeks and I would also let him out for the first time when he is hungry. I've always made little clicking/whistling noises to call the cats in so that they associate those noises with food. For settling tonight - a big fleecy blanket and maybe a catnip toy? I'm sure he will be beside himself with joy at his good luck!

Fluffycloudland77 · 24/01/2014 21:02

It must be so nice for him to have a warm bed at last. I think the vacuum bag things a myth.

Will you see her again for an update?

timtam23 · 24/01/2014 21:07

Just looked at the photos. He's very handsome, a lot of black on his body to contrast with those white feet & tabby face!

Yes please I'd also love any update if you see your colleague again Smile

crazynanna · 24/01/2014 21:28

Thanks guys yes I will be working with this wonderful lady 3 times a week for a while so will be keeping you all updated. I am just waiting for an update on his arrival.

He us neutered and will be getting chipped.
I am so really happy he is away from the bush... but I will miss that beautiful boy running to greet me every day Smile

OP posts:
crazynanna · 24/01/2014 21:29

I really would have loved to have him myself

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 24/01/2014 21:33

Poppy might have had an opinion on that though.

crazynanna · 24/01/2014 21:40

I know you're right fluffy
But I grew really fond of him but I know he's gone to a bee home

OP posts:
crazynanna · 24/01/2014 21:41

Good not bee

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 24/01/2014 21:51

But imagine if, one morning, he wasn't there to come running? Or if your home became a battleground with two unhappy cats? This is a good result for Stanley and for your colleague. (Is she keeping that name do you know?)

On letting him out after a few weeks. I've found that it's good to give them a couple of pretty short and supervised outside excursions the first couple of times. That way, they can see the door and you in their mind's eyes and it also accustoms them simply to coming back. (To a good treat or breakfast/supper of course.) I wouldn't let them range without me outside until - say - the third or so excursion.