a cat has camped out on our doorstep; what next?

[Gatekeeper]

we already feed a stray cat- she lives in our shed and has done for the last three years. (trapped and neutered). Another stray was very kindly adopted by a MNetter's (fenneltea) mam

However a week ago a ginger and white tom sat on our doormat at the back and hasn't shifted since. He is very clean and friendly but won't go away, clawing and meowing at the back door and desperately tries to push his way in when we go out. We put a bowl of food out and he hoovered it up licking the plate around on the patio. He pats on the glass door with his paw

He's been done and doesn't spray and has a nick taken out of one of his ears

Most importantly he appears to be the first cat that dh doesn't come out with hives with or itchy, sneezing , watery eyes etc

he is currently asleep on my chair

what can we do next?

what will happen if he is chipped? Will they keep him and contact the owner?

Yes. Unless the address is out of date etc. I would make it very clear that you would happily adopt him if the owner is uncontactable.

And if he is chipped and has an owner, he might still end up with you if that owner doesn't want him or cedes to his obvious desire to stay with you. (Or if he goes home to a loving house (having become lost for some obscure reason) that will please you as well won't it? )

it will cozie either way; it has really hammered it home reading the emails from desperate owners . I will be sad (and my dc and even dh) but glad that there is a happy ending for ol' ginger-chops and his 'mam and dad'

Good point.

I agree with PP that he doesn't look like a stray.

Well done for being kind enough to take him in, is there any possibility you could take him to be scanned for a chip sooner than midweek? You don't need an appointment, it only takes a few seconds. I just know that when my cats went missing the anguish was unbearable - seems a shame not to get him scanned sooner if possible to save someone the emotional turmoil.

If he has been neutered and is friendly and well adjusted he has obviously been loved and cared for by someone. I just hope that if that is the case, his owners decided to microchip him, and that the chip is working (I once picked up a cat who didn't appear to have a chip, turns out he did but it had stopped working at some point unbeknownst to his owners).

Any news?

we are taking him to the vet today; just been trying to scrounge a cat box. He is a dear little chap- won't drink out of his water bowl but climbs in the sink and pats the tap until we turn it on

Fingers crossed

His situation will probably be resolved then - one way or the other - later today? ( Or in the next couple of days. )

...My DH says we need to get a dog...

And there may be some truth in that!

Speaking briefly for the defence on this one, I can only say that The Lodger moved in with us and stuck - even after we'd had The Chat, he'd relinquished pom poms, accepted the rules about curfew and only had part of the house due to severe Seniorboy restrictions. He still went out during the day and flirted with his (very large) fan base but there was no question where his home now was; he just settled in to our house with the cat equivalent of a happy sigh.

UPDATE**

He is chipped

I made a right tit of myself in the vet by starting to cry. They whisked him out the back to wait for his owners to come and collect and I was left looking like a wreck whilst everyone stared at me

oh dear

Just because he's chipped does not mean his owners want him anymore. Can you leave your details with the vet just in case?

I have just incase

I never know if people sometimes just don't care for their cats (and if they go off they don't mind) or if the cat wanders and tries to get a new home.

Seems strange if you've put up adverts (I think?) that no one has claimed him until the vet scanned him.

Don't worry, I cried when our old boy had a blood test. Their used to people crying.

At least he has a loving home who cared enough to chip him. Will you ring back later to check what's happened?.

I know- three local facebook pages for missing pets, 2 lost pet databases and also contacted local vets and police as per vets suggestion (plus poster thing in local shop)

For the last 10 days he's either been on our doormat, in the woodshed, under the bench or on my chair

Ah Gatekeeper - he's such a lovely boy, you did the right thing being his guardian while getting him checked out.
This has reminded me to register my cats who are micro-chipped, so thanks

Fluffy, if I don't hear back then he will be in his 'proper' home

Have told dh and will tell dc (who will be gutted) not to let him in or feed him if he does turn up again

Is it now the time to go find yourself a little rescue kitty to pass on all you love and attention to?

dh won't he accepted Sherlock as it just happened but he won't make it happen IYSWIM. Told him when he snuffs it I will be getting at least two

...and he is now sniffing the cuppa I made him as 'it tastes funny'

It was always on the cards, him being so friendly and social. You did really well in looking after him while he was lost. Remember how he hoovered up that first plate of food? He was likely quite desperate.

Think back to those desperate emails you received and imagine how you would feel after a good while if you were so attached to him after less than a fortnight. Maybe his family will be in touch with you to let you know how he is after he gets back home.

Oh - and don't worry in the least about the vets. If anyone looked at you, it was likely only because they weren't certain what to do to help you; they're used to people in tears. (Seen it myself before - including on one difficult occasion, veterinary professionals themselves !)

Dh is upset but playing the tough guy. Wait and see how things pan out.