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Original poster

Scruffy cat (homeless?) Help!

141 replies

MardyKnickers · 22/10/2015 21:23

I've 2 cats, Big Grumpy and Wee Shite (not actual names) Big Grumpy hates other cats and I nearly had to give up the kitten as she was so grumpy about him (they're ok now)

They have a cat flap that I've had to lock so it's inward only so kitten can't get out (he's mastered the cat flap but not spayed etc yet)

Anyway this other cat called Scruffy Cat has been popping in and out for food. Big Grumpy obviously doesn't like him. Now the cat flap is locked though Scruffy Cat can't get out again. He's filthy, his fur is thin and scraggy looking, he's flea riddled Sad He's not skinny/starved though, friendly if you stroke him but growly if you try and shift him. Went in the kitchen tonight and he was asleep pushed up as close to the radiator as he could get. Have put him out but I feel mean on him! I really love cats Sad Also he has a blue patch thing in one eye? Like actually in the eye, hard to describe.

I don't want to take him on as have the 2 cats already. But don't want to shove him outside and leave him. Also don't want to lock the cat flap all the time as Big Grumpy gets stressed if she can't get in.

What do you advise anyone? Am breaking my heart over him!

(I will add pics when I take some)

OP posts:
Girlfriend36 · 23/10/2015 21:47

Poor cat Sad he looks a mess.

I would hope CPL would help a case like him, it will cost a fair bit to get him right again so can understand your reluctance Op but a good shelter should help surely?

Fluffycloudland77 · 24/10/2015 10:42

It's pretty obvious he has no owner, he must be in a lot of pain with the eye and the teeth. Plus the hunger pain.

RubbishMantra · 24/10/2015 16:42

Pets At Home have an in-house vet (Vets 4 Pets), open Saturdays and Sundays, OP.

Fluffycloudland77 · 24/10/2015 19:02

Vets are legally obliged to treat suffering animals op, even if they pts it's better than suffering.

If the two resident cats aren't rolling round the floor with him then they cant mind him too much, last time I had a stray in the house ours was apoplectic with rage.

Still wish I'd kept him and called him Georgie.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 24/10/2015 19:26

Poor thing, he reminds me of my lovely William. He found me when he needed help and ended up living with my Mum for 5 months and being well and truly spoilt. I would have willingly taken him in but he was chasing Harry out of the house so it wouldn't have worked.

timtam23 · 24/10/2015 21:26

I keep coming back to this one. He just looked so unwell in that photo. OP I really hope that you have managed to get some help for the poor cat.

Original poster
MardyKnickers · 24/10/2015 22:00

As I've been working I've not been able to get Scruffs to a vet yet. He's been in the house most of the day today while I've been out. He's now outside but he has food and milk, and the cat box with blanket and hot water bottle in.

He's been the bathroom in my bathroom today and it looks a bit nasty, I think in general he's pretty unhealthy.

Didn't know about the Pets at Home vet but that's really good to know as not sure if my vet opens Sundays. Not working Sunday or Monday so the second I see him tomorrow he'll be off to the vet or Pets at Home. The more I see of him the more he seems pretty unhealthy though Sad

Promise I'll update again with vet news.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 24/10/2015 22:03

You're not in London are you Mardy?

It also occurred to me that the Blue Cross might be able to help. It's worth calling them if money to get him treated is an issue.

Original poster
MardyKnickers · 24/10/2015 22:08

No I'm north west.

Am thankfully not so hard up I couldn't afford to pay a wee bit to help him out....if he's really old/ill and homeless though, which I suspect, I think it'd be kinder to put him out of his misery. Which id rather do than have him suffer. If he were my cat and looking like that I'd have him pts, sadly. For tonight he is fed, watered, warm, and sheltered though.

OP posts:
timtam23 · 24/10/2015 22:11

Thanks for the update OP, and you are being so kind to look after the poor scrap! Hopefully you can get him seen tomorrow even if it is to be PTS.

thecatneuterer · 24/10/2015 22:15

I'd like to bet that all he really needs is a dental and a home. A dental can be a few hundred pounds though.

If they suggest testing for FIV, unless they can make a very strong clinical case for it, don't accept. Most FIV positive cats are largely unaffected by it so there is no point in testing.

We have lots of cats come off the street looking just like him. After having some teeth out and a few good meals you wouldn't believe the transformation.

Original poster
MardyKnickers · 24/10/2015 22:18

And to whoever mentioned about getting a microchip cat flap - normally it's not an issue, I and most of the neighbours are very relaxed about each other's cats popping in and out! Grin I used to have a cat who was basically the neighbourhood foodwhore - people would ring me (number on collar as he wandered) and say, Oooh he's been round today and had his bit of chicken etc etc! It's only been a problem with Scruffs the last couple of weeks as I've locked the cat flap one way so Wee Shite can't get out til he's bigger. So Scruffs can get in but not out. But at least seeing so much of him means I've noticed the state he's in (he's actually been coming a couple of months but used to run off as soon as anyone was about, so I never saw him up close)

OP posts:
flanjabelle · 24/10/2015 22:26

Poor thing. Good on you op.

Iwasworried · 24/10/2015 23:13

Poor cat. Please take him to the vet.

RubbishMantra · 25/10/2015 01:40

Nice one, OP. I keep coming back to this thread. You may be able to see your usual vet tomorrow, but check if they charge extra for out of hours. PAH don't. Oh, and ask them to scan for a microchip. I'm glad there are people like you, I've 2 of my own, and it's comforting to hear from people who'd look after a lost animal.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 25/10/2015 08:25

What mantra said. The world needs more people like you who care

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 25/10/2015 08:33

Good to see the updates, and couldn't agree more with mantra and pinksparkly

Original poster
MardyKnickers · 25/10/2015 16:04

Well, me and Scruffs have just been to Pets At Home. Woman was very rude and unhelpful so I've wasted my time there! Scanned him and he's not chipped, then she said it's all my own fault as I've been letting him in. Wish I'd not bothered to be honest. Hope that nasty uncaring cow was the receptionist and not the vet to be honest, I wouldn't want her looking after my cat!! Shock Or Scruffs to be honest. She said ring the RSPCA, told her I heard they were crap so that's why I'd gone there. But she just kind of shrugged.

OP posts:
Original poster
MardyKnickers · 25/10/2015 16:06

Tried to get a picture of his weird eye but he didn't fancy it, these phones are really slow to take the picture and he kept shifting his head

Scruffy cat (homeless?) Help!
Scruffy cat (homeless?) Help!
OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 25/10/2015 16:09

What was it you asked them to do? Did you take him to be examined? Surely if it's just a normal consultation where you bring a cat for a vet to tell you what is wrong with it then they wouldn't react like that? Did they think you wanted a free consultation perhaps?

I really can't understand how that can have happened.

Original poster
MardyKnickers · 25/10/2015 16:17

I couldn't get past the dragon to get to the vet!! Just asked what she thought I should do with him as he obviously looks in a state. She just looked disgusted and said take to RSPCA Sad

Will speak to cats protection tomorrow (they're closed now) and if not it'll have to be reluctant RSPCA job I think. The more I see him the more I think if it were my cat, I'd rather he was euthanised than living like he is.

OP posts:
Original poster
MardyKnickers · 25/10/2015 16:18

We're sat in the car on PAH car park, feeling very unsatisfied!! Scruffs is asleep in the box

OP posts:
goodasitgets · 25/10/2015 16:20

Are you anywhere near preston? I just adopted a cat from CPL and they're really good

Original poster
MardyKnickers · 25/10/2015 16:21

The look on her face I think she was disgusted that I'd brought such a thing to her nice shiny desk and she just wanted rid of us. Looks like it's going to be a full day of hauling him round tomorrow til I can get him some help!!

OP posts:
Original poster
MardyKnickers · 25/10/2015 16:22

Not that near to Preston but I've just googled and there is CPL about 20 mins from my house. So I'll ring my vet and them tomorrow and see what they say

OP posts:
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