Can I let her in?

[BathildaBagshot]

Yesterday I was minding my own business in the garden when a lovely little cat came charging down the path and straight onto my lap. She was clean and healthy looking but quite skinny (although am guessing she is only about 6mo) so after a couple of hours we popped her some food on a plate outside and she wolfed it down. Problem is she's still here and won't leave. She has been sat on my windowsill yowling since 6am. When she spots me through the window she goes apeshit! She's a lovely little thing and very friendly so wouldn't mind her coming into the house while we wait for DP to fetch a cat carrier from a friend for us to take her for a microchip scan. But if I let her in, will she never leave?

Ps not that I don't already love her dearly, but we rent and aren't allowed pets

You should not have fed someone elses cat.

Has she got a collar on? Do you know if any of your neighbours have recently got a new kitty?

I realise that we shouldn't have fed her in hindsight but we aren't cat owners and didn't know what to do!

She looks like she has had a collar on and has either lost it or had it taken off.

Do you think she went home last night, or did she stay in your garden?

Maybe have a look in your garden to see if she's lost it? Sometimes they can have tags on them. If she's only little, she might not have been microchipped yet. I hope the poor little thing is neutered though, otherwise she's going to get harassed!

I've got a feeling she stayed in the garden. She's a bit bony but otherwise looks well - am also worried about her not having been done yet though. I will ask vets for a paper collar I think and see if someone claims her. I'd hate for someone's new pet to want to live with me instead

Update: kitty has a home! She's been missing for weeks and tearful owner is on her way to collect her :) love a happy ending!

Aww, how did you find the owner?

I'd be very grateful if one of mine went missing and it was found and fed by someone.

That's awesome! Well done you.

Were they able to trace her owner because she was chipped?

I posted on a local cat charity's Facebook page and somebody recognised her! She's been missing for ages, owner is on her way over now. She's had some dinner and now she's finally having a well deserved kip on some nice soft cushions. Will be sad to see her go!

Cushions will need washing though - she's the original smelly cat. Can't say I'm surprised now at how thin she is either

Well done OP that's a brilliant outcome. I hope one day you'll be able to have a kitty of your own.

Aw love a happy ending! :)

Me too! DP wants to move house just so we can have one. We have only just moved into this one so may be a while yet

I moved from a flat to a house just so I could get cats. No regrets!

There's a pic on my profile to commemorate the happy news

I'd feed a skinny cat. I sure as hell wouldn't turn it away.

Well done on finding her owner.

Thanks fluffy. She's so content right now! Think I would be too if someone took me inside after weeks in the wild

Oh excellent news, so pleased! Well done you for taking her in and feeding her and finding her owners, you should feel very pleased

I'm delighted but also a little sad, went into the garden and was odd not having to fend off her affections

Oh that's brilliant! The owner must be thrilled.

Bathilda - I rather suspect that she was a celestial cat, sent to check whether you would make a good cat owner. You passed!!