Friend won't take cats back, how do I be a responsible owner?

[LunarGirl]

A year and a bit ago my friend was made homeless and the council placed her in a hostel type place. She asked if I would take in her 2 cats until she got a new place. She would buy their food, flea and worm stuff etc. I said that was fine and we settled them in and they're lovely.

As time went on she stopped buying the food so obviously we provided that for them. She didn't provide any details of their vet, yet wouldn't allow us to register them with one near us. She said they are both neutered, now I know the female cat is as I saw her after the op but I have my doubts about the male. I'm not really an expert but he looks like he has balls and I thought they were removed?

She was then moved in to temporary accommodation so I asked if she wanted me to arrange to bring the cats over once she was settled. She asked if we'd keep them a bit longer as this was only a temporary house and she didn't want to unsettle and settle them twice. Fair enough.

Last week she was moved in to her permanent house. She now doesn't want the cats at all. She's said that if we don't keep them she'll have to sort out a rescue place or "something".

We're happy to keep them but don't really know where to start. I want to get insurance sorted for them but I'm not sure of their exact ages. Can I put a rough estimate in? Will also register them with a vet and get this neutering issue answered as to be honest I don't trust a word she says. Is there anything else I need to think of? I love them both and I'm happy they are staying, I just never thought of them as "mine" before. Now that they are I want to make sure I've got all bases covered.

Thanks!

Go to the vet. They should be able to estimate an age and confirm if they are neutered/spayed. Vet can also arrange annual booster jabs for them. Once that's sorted you can sort insurance

Take to vets for checkup, they'll be able to approx age and confirm neutering. They'll also check for microchip, if they are it's possible to change name and address, if not get them chipped.

It sounds like you'll give them a lovely life.

You're a good person OP.

Lucky cats

Start with vet!

Lucky cats to have landed on their paws with a good person

If they are chipped their DOB should be on their chip information.

It's lovely what you're doing - these kitties have clearly done well!

It's lovely that you will be keeping the cats so they have a home. I agree with the others about going to the vet and if they are microchipped, your friend might need to confirm she no longer wants them so you can get the details updated.

I have always insured rescue cats and it has been fine to use the approximate ages that the rehoming centres have provided. The vet will be able to confirm if the boy cat is neutered by visually inspecting and having balls, doesn't mean he hasn't been.

Unless there's something wrong with them now that you think the vet needs to see I would insure them first, and take them to the vets after a couple of weeks. That way if anything was picked up you'd be covered.

The boy may be neutered (especially if they did have the female done) as their furry little balls remain but are just left looking a bit deflated compared to before.

Well done for taking them on officially. Will be so much kinder for them to stay in a loving home than have the stress and upheaval of going into a rescue centre.

You lot will give me a big head if you carry on It's honestly not a big deal keeping them. The DC will be absolutely delighted. They've had reminders for over a year that it's only temporary and that "next month" (then the month after, then again etc..) that they'd be going back to their real family. I just wish she'd come clean about not wanting them back ages ago. But never mind that now.

So the consensus seems to be vets then insurance. Although MsMims makes a good point about if anything comes up I'll be covered so not sure now. Although they both seem perfectly healthy to me. Will call around some vets today to get a feel of where would be best to register them.

It's strange, they've been here a long time but it's only since I got the news yesterday that I've come over all giddy about having cats

Hi op

Can we have Pics or a diagram 😉

Don't be giving them back if she changes her mind again! They're happy and stable with you. Who knows where they might end up going if they go back to her and she ends up passing them on.

Yep...microchip both to you. That secures them.

Is she likely to change her mind again - do you think you should get a written confirmation?

Good on you for being a responsible kitty slave!
I think to get insurance cover cats need to be vaccinated to be covered and neutered is cheaper (don't quote me mind). With vets I would avoid the corporate type practises and go for independent, small group of practises, if you know anybody who has cats ask them for vet recommendations.

I deleted about the importance of microchipping. Most important and if you move or change contact details must be kept updated. I look forward to photos

What an arse! Not you of course OP (wish there were more people like you), the irresponsible cat owner who fancied having a pair of cute kittens, but then just changed their minds. Perhaps they didn't match the new cushions or something, and yes, people have actually been known for doing that :(

Enjoy your furry overlords!

You are a wonderful person OP. Lucky kitties, please can we have a pic?

Keep them op your friend sounds too fickle to make a good pet owner. Can we have some pictures?

LadyCat - 9 years old. Not a fan of pictures. Will allow you to stroke her when she feels like it. Likes to sleep on your head.

BoyCat - 6 years old. A bit of a tart and DD's best friend. Will jump on anyone who enters the house and headbutts you until you stroke him. Fetches his toys when DD throws them. We think he might believe he is a dog.

Thanks again for all the replies. Haven't been ignoring you all, mumsnet hasn't wanted to work for me for a few days! Both cats are booked in to see the vet in a couple of weeks. Phoned up and it was agreed that as both cats seem physically fine there's no point rushing them in. Will wait for the insurance to kick in just in case. Friend has provided their ages so all good there.

Pictures as requested

I'd get a written transfer of ownership. Speak to your vet- i think you may need it to change any chip details.

Thanks really, they aren't chipped at present so no worries there but friend has sent me an email to state she is handing over ownership of them to me and is happy for the vet to call her if they have any questions.

I'm hoping it will all go smoothly, the lady at the vets I spoke to didn't seem to think it was a problem. I should imagine they see cats changing owners fairly often for one reason or another.