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Original poster

Would you encourage Dh to bring this cat home?

33 replies

Soubriquet · 21/09/2016 11:41

My Dh works on an industrial state and he admitted he nearly brought a cat home yesterday

There are loads of feral cats around there.

This one is a young female and the same size as my 7 month old kitten. He reckons she's the mother of some kittens born there a couple of months ago.

She lets him stroke her (only him. No one else can get near her) before her skittishness kicks in and she runs away.

Considering she's already been a mum and has let Dh near her, if he can get her, would you say bring her here?

OP posts:
VimFuego101 · 21/09/2016 11:51

Tbh I wouldn't do it unless she had a full health check first. She could have Fiv or other diseases (fleas, worms) and pass it on to your cat.

MrsBertMacklin · 21/09/2016 11:54

Definitely a feral, or is she a stray?

I think taking in a feral is a risk if you don't have experience.

If it doesn't work out, you've potentially taken her away from her familiar environment and she'll perhaps end up in a rescue centre, you can't just put her back.

There is someone on here who works with ferals, hopefully they'll see this and post if you really want to take her on.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 21/09/2016 11:54

Fleas and worms are easily treatable but good point about the FIV..

Shame really as he's got a soft spot with her and feels really sorry for her

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Original poster
Soubriquet · 21/09/2016 11:55

I think she's definitely feral

Too young to be a stray. She won't go near any person except Dh and it took him a long time to gain her trust

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MrsBertMacklin · 21/09/2016 11:57

She's probably too old to be domesticated, so unless your home can provide a feral friendly setting, I think the best thing to do would be for DH to tell a rescue centre that there's a feral colony.

They will know what to do for the best.

gamerchick · 21/09/2016 11:57

Well you could at the least trap her, treat her/neuter and return her if she is feral. If you really wanted to do something for her.

melibu84 · 21/09/2016 11:58

FIV cats can live with non-FIV cats. Check out Cole and Marmalade on youtube - marmie is an FIV cat.

I would let him bring her home, but I am a major cat lover. He could try going to the vets on the way home, see if she can get a full check up beforehand.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 21/09/2016 11:59

I'll try and find somewhere who deals with them

They get plenty of food. Dh works at an abattoir and they pinch meat out of trucks along with various seagulls and herons

But it's rife with breeding cats. Kittens keep popping up

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3Eggses · 21/09/2016 11:59

I would take them all in.

Can he catch her so you can at least have her spayed? Vet could always give her the once over and you could decide about whether or not to keep...

rhiaaaaaaaannon · 21/09/2016 12:01

I'm not sure really. Feral cats can take a lot of adjusting to live in a home. Do you have a rescue near you? We have one nearby that helps Gerald mostly. If they can't be turned in to home type cats then they give them a checker, spay/neuter and will keep putting food out.

Brightleaf · 21/09/2016 12:02

Fleas and worms are treatable, FIV isn't an issue. Mr C the fat tabby is FIV and is in rude health and friendly to other cats. Go for it.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 21/09/2016 12:02

I'll have to do research into rescues who will help

I'm in Lincolnshire if anyone knows anywhere

I can't take them all in Shock there's loads of them! No idea where the kittens are. Dh has spotted them about but can't get close enough to them

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rhiaaaaaaaannon · 21/09/2016 12:06

They definitely need spaying at the least otherwise there's going to be an army of them!
It's worth asking around. The group I said about isn't an official rescue so you wouldn't find them on Google. They just love cats and do what they can!

Original poster
Soubriquet · 21/09/2016 12:11

I've messaged someone who does a trap and release program so fingers crossed they know someone nearby who might be able to do it

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thecatneuterer · 21/09/2016 12:12

FIV isn't a worry if he wants to bring her home. Yes, please try to find a rescue that can help

MrsBertMacklin · 21/09/2016 12:13

Hoping you can find a rescue who will trap neuter and return. If they're close to a good food source, they might be happier where they are, just need some population control.

I'm guessing your DH's workplace doesn't have a rodent problems with the cat army around, so I'd see meat going from trucks as payment in lieu Grin

Original poster
Soubriquet · 21/09/2016 12:15

I think there are the odd rats as we live near a river but not many so I'm sure the cat population is doing their job. I think that's why the management don't kick up a fuss about all the cats about

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Allergictoironing · 21/09/2016 15:34

I have ex-feral cats who are in the process of adjusting pretty well to a home environment - however they are indoor only cats now and I don't know if I could ever let them out without them reverting. They were around a year old when the entire colony was trapped by the rescue and they were at the rescue another year before I homed them. Around 4 months in and I can stroke one a fair bit and the other occasionally, they roam around the house very happily and seem completely settled & happy. Good appetites, glossy coats, good regular pee & poo.

But I was warned by the rescue that if they go out the chances of them reverting are pretty high; we were both of the view that a life as pampered worshipped indoor cats was better for them than totally in the wild.

FoxesOnSocks · 21/09/2016 15:37

Definetly TNR at the very least.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 22/09/2016 21:33

The management are refusing to allow anyone on site to trap the cats or release them back into the environment

If the population gets any bigger, or the cats get braver they will hire a pest company to dispatch of them Sad

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timtam23 · 22/09/2016 23:11

In that case I would throw caution to the wind and ask DH to bring the cat home so that even just one might be helped Sad those poor cats, being exterminated by pest control Angry

thecatneuterer · 22/09/2016 23:27

Bloody hell!! The bastards!

Original poster
Soubriquet · 23/09/2016 09:29

He said he's going to try and get them. He saw the kittens yesterday. They are old enough to be weaned from mum but still quite small. He got close enough to see but not close enough to touch

He has promised to try and grab as many as he can. Will keep you updated if we get them

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TimeIhadaNameChange · 23/09/2016 09:31

Bastards! What do they think will happen now?

Tell DH to bring his poor girl home. At least one will be saved.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 23/09/2016 09:37

They can't risk animals getting in to the factory and mum is getting brave and has been seen around the reception

I do understand that. Course I do. No one is going to want to buy meat covered in cat hair. But I don't agree with not allowing them to trap them. They are going for the easiest and quickest option for them

He's going to try and get mum and babies. There's 3 kittens. I am hoping from his description that the babies are young enough to be tamed. They are about 3-4 months old

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