I think there's a stray cat in my garden <pictures>

[ElizaDontlittle]

In between the rain it's been a nice day here. I'm currently sitting on my patio with 4 cats. Only 2 of them live here but one is next door's rather bedraggled old boy who comes for a fuss. And there's this new, I think quite young, not got close enough to sex, black cat.

It's definitely never been around before - I know the local cats practically by name. It's trying to come inside the house, it's fairly well groomed but thin, bigger than mine - bit both of my cats are quite small. It's not keen on people but it's pretty willing to face down my boycat.

It could be someone's pet - in which case it needs to go home! It's been here for at least 7 hours now!! What - if anything - do I do?? I normally leave a window open at night (no cat flap, secure back yard) but I don't want WW3 in the house!!!!

Your cats should be in at night so do that and shut window.
Paper collar to find owner?

It could be someone’s pet that has gotten lost. Why not post it on your Facebook or pets lost and found?

I usually do - since the weather is nice I let them stay out til sunset, and shut it when I get up to the toilet about 11. (chronic illness struggles) maybe tonight my bedtime is their bedtime...

Can't get close enough for a paper collar! It's quite skittish.
I'll look up pets lost and found.

Feed it if it’s thin.

I can't believe I never knew about the pets lost and found FB pages. Thank you so much.

I've just persuaded my two in (black cat didn't even recognise Dreamies - not that it was being offered any - but one shake and my two were straight in!!) as it's my bedtime, and they are annoyed BUT it's thundery and I feel more relaxed that we are definitely a 2 cat household for the night! Sometimes you can't see the obvious...

Young cats often look very skinny compared to older cats. My young black cat is like that. He's also fascinated with other cats and will happily spend the whole day shadowing one. Thankfully his stalking victim is one of our own so he spends his entire day staring at her while she sleeps.