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?

Just because he has a chip the owners may still not come forwards for him, so keeping everything crossed for you. If he does have a loving home then at least you've made a family very happy and helped the cat by reuniting them.

Maybe down the line you dh would consider a trial run in a rescue centre for one he doesn't react to. More likely if you're anything like me another one will turn up anyway!

thank you everyone and another 'hello' to Fenneltea

I've had three cups of tea, a butchers meat pie and two pieces of flapjack and am feeling ok again

They must have come real fast to collect him.

Oh how sad for you, but imagine how overjoyed his owners are? We lost a cat in August, no sign of her anywhere - I'd give anything for another cuddle.

It was really lovely of you to feed and care for him. I hope the vet tells the owners what a lovely person you are.

Yes - imagine the shrieks of joy in that house when they were phoned. I would imagine your health will be drunk tonight.

I know you're sad, Gatekeeper, but you really did do the right thing. I know of 2 owners of missing cats who would have been overjoyed to get that phone call from the vets.

I'm sad for you Gatekeeper but if it was my lost boy being returned (and I still harbour a hope that he is curled up on some kind person's bed) I would be absolutely beside myself with joy. I bet your dh's heart has been softened enough to entertain the idea of a cat. What about visiting a cat rescue "just to look"? We've never come away with fewer than one cat on those trips , even when dh has made the "no more animal" edicts.

I lost a beautiful wonderful cat once. He went out one morning and I never saw him again. I would have been overjoyed and just so so grateful if someone had taken him in, kept him safe and then took him to the vets like you did. So don't be too sad.

Go and look round a shelter. Allergies Shmallergies. I'm sure there's a cat out there that needs a wonderful forever home with you.

If he lives close by he may be back :)

ANOTHER UPDATE

his owner called at our house to thank us for looking after him etc. He is one of three cats and unhappy where he is so his owner says we can have him and will transfer 'ownership' over to us

here he is enjoying the fire- this has absolutely made my week/month/year and I have sniffed out one or two happy tears

ignore the pants drying on the sock dryer thingy won't you and concentrate on the nice bits

Aw I like a story with a happy ending. Enjoy your new feline companion!

That's amazing. Did you bother consulting your dh or did you just say yes?. Whats his real name?

That has made my day, honestly! I'm so pleased for you!!

owner very attractive as well so I was blushing and stammering like a right twit

don't want to put his real name down for fear of outing myself but it is the name of a composer ! It suits him though so not sure what to call him

Fluffy dh was quicker than me at hauling him in the house and is currently steaming him a chicken breast

That's amzing Gatekeeper, I'm so pleased for you and Sherlock - he obviously picked the right house! I'm looking forward to more pictures of him living in luxury with his new slaves!

A similar thing happened to my aunt and uncle years ago. A stray cat turned up in the garden and he was in really poor condition so they fed him and looked after him and he stayed around. A few years later he needed to go to the vet and he was scanned and it turned out he was chipped. The vet contacted his owner and they took him back but a couple of weeks later he turned up on their doorstep again having walked quite a few miles.

Aunt and uncle contacted the vet again and it turned out that he needed more treatment and his so called owners refused to pay for it. Aunt and uncle did and he has lived with them ever since and is now in his twenties. He was never officially signed over to them as the owners refused to do it but the vet turns a blind eye now.

Oh how wonderful for your family and the cat. It's all turned out very well, he's such a handsome chap and certainly looks like he's made himself at home

That's a lovely outcome. Hooray! Cat cuddles all round!

Oh that's wonderful! I really felt for you when you had to leave him at the vet's. So Sherlock the detective cat managed to track down his forever family.

That's a lovely update & he looks so content & at home by the fire