I can't look at my cat :(

[catburglar]

My pet cat disappeared on Thursday. I've a microchip catflap for him and his sister so they're always coming and going. He arrived back on Saturday and he'd been neutered and ear tipped. I'm really upset. I don't know how I can cope with seeing him looking like that for the next 20 years. I don't know who did it or why. I feel like I'm being really shallow but I feel like he's been mutilated. He's perfectly happy himself at least.

If he was microchipped then this shouldn't have happened. However why hadn't you neutered him?

Here he is with his sister a few days ago! He's the one with the white nose

Why hadn't you done it?

Your cat should not be outside if not neutered.

Someone thought he was feral? They ear tip ferals in my area

To show they are neutered 🤷‍♀️ posted too soon

I've been getting the local stray cats neutered one by one this winter and I didn't want him mixed in with them. Plus I was prioritising the female cats

I didn’t realise ear tipping was intentional.

He's been captured, neutered, tipped and returned OP. It's a good thing when irresponsible owners don't neuter or chip their cats. Saved you some money at least.

Now get him chipped so people don't think he's a stray again.

Is that your job?

Sounds like he got caught up in a TNR scheme, although I'm not sure why they didn't check for a microchip. Might be worth getting your own vet to check him over.

Eh? So you participate in neutering feral cats, but didn't think to get your own done? WTAF?!

Unneutered toms are a nuisance, seems someone else locally thought so too.

Try to focus on the fact he is safe at home. If he were still missing, I'm sure you would be desperate to have him back even with his alterations. And the neutering would have needed doing sooner or later - sooner if already he is going out.

Is he microchipped?

@TriangleBingoBongo

Yes they tip the ears of feral cats to show they have been done so they dont pick then up twice

You do this but didn't get him neutered yourself? Why on earth not?

He's completely tame with a glossy coat and bright eyes. He had a little scratch on his nose, thats the only slightly rough thing about him

Why are you upset that somebody has sorted out your cat?

I agree if chipped they should have contacted you if your details are up to date but that said it's still a job you should have done before you let him out.
Anyways it's done now.
I dont see why you cant look at him though?

I agree, he needed to be neutered and because you hadn’t done it somebody else was sensible enough to do so.

If he's come to anyone's attention to bother, he is probably behaving anti-socially and beating other cats up/peeing all over someone's house, as entire males do?

Given that no sensible person would keep a male pet cat entire, they presumably thought he was feral and took the same approach that you say you are taking with other cats?

Also can't understand the concept of you wanting to neuter ferals, but allowing your own cat to run around procreating to increase the local population and putting him at risk of disease?

What, so rather then getting your own cat neutered, you've been allowing him to go outside but neutering other cats?

That makes no sense.

Yes, he's microchipped. I've been working my way through the cats one by one. It won't be kitten season for several months. He's completely tame and would be really easy to catch

Kitten season?

Seriously?

Why are you getting other cats done? And mor your own?