Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

There's is a cat in my shed! (What do I do?)

29 replies

MummySparkle · 03/08/2017 18:13

I've been spotting a cat in our garden for the last month or so. At first I thought I was imagining it dashing across the lawn, but then DD saw it too. I haven't seen it for a week or so, but today I saw it go into our shed, and finally managed to take a picture of it.

Spoke to NDN when we first saw it, and as far as we know there are no cats around here. Our landlord owns everything within at least a mile radius and expressly states that nobody is allowed to have a cat. There are a couple nearby, but they are black and white, not like this.

What do I do? She's up on the rafters so I can't get to her (assuming it's a girl here!) She's a tortoiseshell so that makes her a girl right? I don't know whether she has a collar, is really lost, or is just a stray. I can't bring her in even if I could get to her because DH is allergic. Any suggestions? If she is lost I'd like to get her home, but she's welcome to stay in my shed so long as the landlord doesn't find out

There's is a cat in my shed! (What do I do?)
OP posts:
moggle · 03/08/2017 18:16

Aw she's adorable. First things first put down a dish of water for her if you haven't already. Second, google lost cat U.K. and you'll get a few websites where people register their pets as lost, often including photos. You can search by location. Third you could ring round local vets to ask whether any calico cats have been lost (when the ginger black and white are in patches like that it's called calico. And still almost certainly a girl as you say.)

moggle · 03/08/2017 18:19

If you put some food out for her she may get confident enough for you to have a closer look to see if she's got a collar.

thecatneuterer · 03/08/2017 18:33

Calico is an American term. She's a tortie and white here. Anyway ...

So, put food and water down. See if you can get her trust. You somehow need to check if she's neutered. Obviously if she's tame and you can buy/borrow a cat carrier and are prepared to pay a vet bill then you can do that yourself. If not, try any local charity or Cats Protection. Don't call RSPCA.

If you're in London/Essex let me know and I can help.

Original poster
MummySparkle · 03/08/2017 18:37

So she's a calico? She's mostly black and ginger but with some (all?) white paws and a white tummy. She's slim, but not skinny from watching her through the kitchen window so I'm not desperately worried about her. We are about to go away for the weekend, but I will get some cat food from MIL to put out when we're back. Happy for her to stay in the shed - there were rats in there at some point so she's more than welcome to eat them / scare them away Grin I'll have a look at the lost cat website too and see if anything comes up.

If she is a stray we'd quite like to acquire a garden cat visitor, it's just a shame we won't ever be able to have her in the house.

OP posts:
BlackPeppercorn · 03/08/2017 18:39

You don't live on Bodmin do you?
Just a thought...

thecatneuterer · 03/08/2017 18:41

No she's a tortie and white. You really will need to check that she's spayed.

EachandEveryone · 03/08/2017 20:53

Did you manage to put food down for her before you left? Im scared she will run off if theres no grub and she might beling to someone. Are you on facebook? Have alook to see if your area is on there thats where our local misding cats come up.

Catch583 · 03/08/2017 20:58

How can you check if a female cat has been neutered, it doesn't show in any way. If she's not spayed she would almost certainly be pregnant or have kittens at this time of the year.

thecatneuterer · 03/08/2017 21:16

Catch - the only way to check is to get a vet to shave a patch to check for a scar and if no scar, then she would need to be opened up to check.

She could well be in between pregnancies at the moment, or in the early stages of pregnancy. For example of the ten or so females I've trapped in the last two weeks three were feeding kittens, two were pregnant but not obviously so, two were obviously pregnant, and the rest were neither pregnant nor feeding, but obviously had been in the not too distant past and would be again in the next few weeks.

bbpp · 03/08/2017 21:38

You can check by their ear too, catch & released and rescued cats usually have a notch in their ear to signify they've been neutered.

I'd try catching her so she can be checked for a chip. Cats can travel quite far (although they usually don't) and someone may be desperate for her home, or assumed she's dead.

allthingslipsticks · 03/08/2017 22:10

My first thought was similar to thecatneuterer's, this beautiful cat could be pregnant and has found what she considers to be a nice, safe place to have her kittens - your shed!

Maybe put some posters around your neighbourhood with her picture on it and see if an owner comes forward? In the meantime, you could put some food and water down for her, I'm sure she'll appreciate it.

Original poster
MummySparkle · 04/08/2017 00:01

We're leaving early in the morning, so I'll stick an bowl of water out then. I've got dog food, is that any good?

I'm wondering whether she might be pregnant too and chosen the old curtains on the rafters of the shed to call home. Door to the shed is always open, so she can't get stuck and she's pretty safe up there from any other animals that are about. No other noises apart from her, so I'm assuming no kittens up there now.

Almost every time I've spotted her it's either been running in or out of there. I've been looking all around on the floor, under the boxes but hadn't thought to look up until today. It's a really old brick building and we've never been to the back (there's a half height wall in the middle and it's dark and a bunk manky!) so I thought there might be an exit on the other side. She doesn't seem scared, she seemed quite calm when I was standing in the doorway.

I've checked on the animal search uk website and she's not on there. She looks similar to one that's been missing for ages and was up on posters everywhere around here, but the markings on her face are totally different. Maybe she's her daughter!!

MIL used to be a vet nurse, so will talk to her about it at the weekend, she has a cat carrier and will probably know someone who can have a look at her for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
MummySparkle · 04/08/2017 00:03

BlackPeppercorn nope, not on Bodmin, why?

ThecatNeuterer how long is a cat pregnancy?

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 04/08/2017 00:07

Cat pregnancy is 8 to 9 weeks. They only look obviously pregnant for the last 4 weeks really, unless they're having loads of kittens. Sometimes they never really look pregnant at all, particularly if they're only having one or two.

Where in the country are you?

thecatneuterer · 04/08/2017 00:09

Dog food is better than nothing. Do you have any cans of tuna? or Sardines?

Original poster
MummySparkle · 04/08/2017 00:45

I'm not sure I'd know the difference between an obviously pregnant cat and a fat cat anyway Blush

I'm in Kent. Pretty sure we do have some tuna, I'll leave some bits out for her in the morning.

That sounds like it would fit with when I first saw her. She certainly wasn't staying in the shed then, just flirting around. I wonder if she was just pregnant then and is now pretty much due?

What on earth do I do if there are kittens in my shed when I get home?!

OP posts:
Original poster
MummySparkle · 04/08/2017 08:09

Tin of tuna and a bowl of water down. DH is not impressed, says it's going to encourage the rats, but I haven't seen any since Tortie's been around. She was still up there when I first stuck my head in this morning. Food is up on a shelf, but I'm pretty sure that's how she gets to the rafters so she'll be able to reach it. I've taken a photo of the tuna so I can see if any has gone. I hope she's okay bless her

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 04/08/2017 08:19

Your DH is being ridiculous. Encouraging a cat to be around will deter rats. When you get back please update here one way or the other or pm me. Kent (depending on where exactly) isn't that far from us (Celia Hammonds - Lewisham/Canning Town/Hastings) and we may be able to help directly or recommend people who can.

Maryz · 04/08/2017 08:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EachandEveryone · 04/08/2017 08:53

You know you can get cheap dry food from anywhere don't u have shops nearby? It. Won't encourage rats she looks a good size I hope she's chipped.

EachandEveryone · 04/08/2017 08:54

Sorry I just keep thinking I'd of all the uneaten cat foods under my sink! Wish you where nearer

MsMims · 04/08/2017 09:45

Joking aside, before getting on to lovely ideas of keeping her, kittens etc please get her checked for a microchip. If she's not feral or frightened by you there's a good chance she is someone's pet.

Not everyone (e.g. elderly people) would register on missing pet sites. If you aren't able/ don't want to take her to a vet for a (free) microchip check then any local decent cat charity would come to you.

Also, if she's tame but not microchipped and no owner can be found, it would be kinder to find a new home where she can curl up in infront of the fire during the colder months. Tame, domesticated cats shouldn't be living outside exclusively. If you'd like cats in the garden but can't allow them indoors then rescues will be happy to rehome feral/ farm cats to help with pest control.

Maryz · 04/08/2017 09:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
MummySparkle · 04/08/2017 11:15

EachandEveryone no shops within walking distance from home unfortunately. Closest is a 25min round trip in the car so unfortunately not feasable around packing for holiday.

Much as I would adore to keep her, I completely agree that finding a home where she can go indoors is far kinder. Especially in the winter. My dog would love a friend to curl up with though. DH is seriously allergic though, if I so much as brush against a cat when I'm out, it will trigger his asthma.

I will make enquiries on Tuesday about catching her / getting her checked over at a vet. If she's not chipped then I think there is a good chance she's related to the local missing car from last year. I might contact them actually.

If she is chipped I wondered whether she hitched a lift on a delivery van bless her.

Anyway I can't do anything until I get back. Hope she's okay. I will message you when I'm back thecatneuterer Thank you

OP posts:
EachandEveryone · 04/08/2017 19:03

Aw bless her. Have a good weekend!

Swipe left for the next trending thread