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

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:
gamerchick · 25/10/2015 16:24

Can you take him back in and tell the twat you would like to see the vet please, tell her you're not looking for a freebie and maybe she can redeem the complaint to head office you're drafting in your head?

thecatneuterer · 25/10/2015 16:24

I am almost sure that all he needs is some teeth out. If you can face it go back in and ask for a consultation.

If you are prepared to spend a couple of hundred pounds or so on a dental he should be a perfectly happy and well cat. If you can't spend that then I would call CPL or the Blue Cross. RSPCA will almost certainly euthanise.

timtam23 · 25/10/2015 16:25

That's terrible. Can't believe they would deny access to a vet for a sick animal. Are you able to say whereabouts in NW you are, OP?

MoriartyIsMyAngel · 25/10/2015 16:34

Someone from CPL will come out and assess him, tell them it's urgent. What they do though will depend on the length of their waiting list. I'm not a welfare officer so I don't know the ins and outs of that. I foster for CP in the South, and they are wonderful. They supported a ten year old foster cat of mine through cancer treatments before she was adopted. I've only known them put cats down in if it's genuinely the only kind option.

The patch might be damage from a past trauma to the eye.

Original poster
MardyKnickers · 25/10/2015 17:21

We've come home now, he slept in the box on the way home but ran off when we got back to the house.

He's going to a proper vet tomorrow. PAH can kiss my arse, I'd rather spend my money somewhere with less offensive staff.

He has food and his box and I'll do his hot water bottle in a bit, one more night shouldn't do him any harm.

Have rung CPL but they're closed, open at 11am tomorrow so will ring back then

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 25/10/2015 17:37

That is truly disgusting behavior from the receptionist, fancy not feeding a starving animal.

Maybe she misunderstood the aim of animal care.

fenneltea · 25/10/2015 17:46

That poor cat, how the staff at PAH could deny an animal that is so obviously in dire need of help is beyond me.
I would just take him to a normal vets first thing in the morning and get some help for him. It looks like he has lost his sight in one eye so I wonder if he has been hit by a car if his mouth seems damaged as well. If treatment is too costly then I think euthanasia would be a kindness for him too bless him.

Dollyemi · 25/10/2015 17:55

Oh mardy you're so kind to be going to all this effort, let's hope you get someone nice to see him Star Flowers

Dollyemi · 25/10/2015 18:06

www.woodlandsanimalsanctuary.org.uk/about-us

These are based near Southport if that is anywhere near you.

RubbishMantra · 25/10/2015 18:09

Oh no Mardy!. So you turned up for your appointment and the receptionist wouldn't allow him to see the vet? Even if the twatty receptionist assumed you were seeking free treatment, I've brought injured birds into the vet before that had no hope of surviving, and the vet has euthinased. Both my boys are with PAH, and now I'm left wondering if I should switch to a different vet, because what if they looked a bit sickly? Would the dragon guarding reception not let them in to see the vet because they looked a bit ropey?

Good luck for tomorrow. Flowers Star

Original poster
MardyKnickers · 25/10/2015 18:17

That Woodland place looks amazing....when I win the lottery my plan is to set something like that up in my massive house with huge grounds!

Southport is about an hour away but worth the trip if I don't get anywhere tomorrow and if the place is as amazing as it looks! So big thanks Dolly for posting that link Smile

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 25/10/2015 18:17

Do you think we should copy their management into this thread? I wont if op doesn't want to but it's terrible lack of care.

BigcatLittlecat · 25/10/2015 18:21

Dreadful from PAH! I don't have much time for them either! Although I didnt have a poorly cat with me! Just a very lively kitten! Won't go back there now!
Fingers crossed a vet will see him tomorrow! Bless you and poorly cat. In my prayers.

PolterGoose · 25/10/2015 18:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gamerchick · 25/10/2015 18:29

I want them to know what shoddy service went on as well. That woman is in the wrong job Angry

MoriartyIsMyAngel · 25/10/2015 18:54

I've had a foster with only one eye, I had one who needed surgery for a broken jaw after he was hit by a car. He was a stunning pedigree too, but no-one claimed him. I guess he wasn't insured and they didn't think he was worth the bills Angry But it's amazing how resilient cats can be if they're still on all four paws.

LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary · 25/10/2015 19:02

Thank you, OP, wish more people were like you!

hiddenhome2 · 25/10/2015 21:26

Poor kitty Sad

I hope you manage to get him some help. He looks so pitiful.

MissMarpleCat · 25/10/2015 23:25

Poor boy Sad

Original poster
MardyKnickers · 26/10/2015 10:38

Update...

Rang Cats Protection today, the guy cut me off as soon as I said I'd found a cat I thought was homeless and was like, we've no room ring back next week.

So I rang my nice vet, they said if I rang RSPCA and got a reference for him, they will contribute towards treatment he needs, if appropriate, depending what's up with him (or his being euthanised if that's the best route for him). So I have the reference from RSPCA, have put extra food out inside and outside, soon as Scruffs comes back for his lunch he's off to the vet Smile

OP posts:
RainbowFlutterby · 26/10/2015 10:40
timtam23 · 26/10/2015 11:00

At last you have someone willing to help you! Fingers crossed there is something fixable which isn't too expensive. Keep us posted Smile

thecatneuterer · 26/10/2015 11:18

Oh that's a great update. I'm 90 per cent sure that all he will need is some teeth out. There is a small chance it is a mouth tumour, but that's much more unlikely. And of course there could be something else going on. However I will say it again - don't let them do a routine FIV test. Even if he has it, it doesn't really matter.

I'm so glad you're getting him some help.

thecatneuterer · 26/10/2015 11:28

So will it be the RSPCA contributing to his treatment or the vet? I wasn't clear. If it's the RSPCA then I'm impressed - so they're not all bad then :)

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 26/10/2015 11:30

Good news! Fingers crossed you catch him soon xx

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