‘Stray cat’ advice

[Whatthechicken]

In inverted commas because she is in really good nick if she is a stray.

We moved into our house about 18 months ago. We have nearly an acre and i’ve seem a cat around the whole time we’ve been here. Cat has been happy to sit at a distance from me but always quite aloof and has never come close or shown any interest - I assumed it was a neighbours cat (about 200/300 metres away).

Last night cat started acting really needy, came to me for the first time, rolling around on the floor and loved a bit of fuss. The cat seemed like it wanted to come in the house (It didn’t) and would not leave. Cat is back again today miaowing and wanting fuss. I called the neighbours because of the sudden change in it’s behaviour and they thought it was ours. Apparently they see it in their field hunting rabbits. No other near neighbours.

I put out a call on the local FB groups with a pic and another person in the village about 1/2 a mile away said it visits them but no one else recognised the cat. It must have a roaming distance of at least 1/2 square mile. I’ve left the garage door open and put a bed in there for shelter but I’m not sure what to do. My worst worry is that it’s pregnant and that’s the reason for it’s change in behaviour...but I know nothing really.

I don’t think I will be able to catch it, it likes cuddles but is quick on it’s feet.

If it is a stray, it’s lasted this long in the wilds of Yorkshire so maybe I shouldn’t interfere?? If I was to call RSPCA I think they’d call me daft as it’s in such good condition. Any advice?

Awful. I liken this to those those films where a character gets promised something wonderfully life enhancing, but only on the proviso that they have to give up their first born when they come of age. So we get 18/19 love filled, loyal years from a pet and the painful pay off is when they leave us. Sorry if that is insensitive to anyone or sounds really weird in anyway - but I think what I mean is that we get all of the joy for all of those years and then too much pain and upset all at once in the end.

I'm so sorry. Losing a pet is utterly heartbreaking but having them in our lives, for however long they share it with us, is totally worth it. Hugs xx

Yep, and then we do it all over again.

We sure do...bloody animals!

Sorry for your loss xc

She waited until you had another cat in your lives before leaving you. Not as a replacement of course, you can't really replace a cat as such, but someone to fill the cat shaped hole the old one was leaving.

And sounds like the best way to go - warm & cosy in her favorite place with her favorite person.

Thank you all for your kind words. I am having cuddles with Bella now, she really does feel like a tonic...maybe she needed me as much as I needed her. xx

I'm so sorry. A new cat is never really a replacement, they each have their own characteristics.

I am so sorry. It's always so very hard to lose them but, as you say, the happiness they bring is worth the grief at the end.

I am glad you and Bella found each other. It does sound as though you need her as much as she needs you.

Oh no, I saw your thread eons ago but so sorry to read about your elder girl.

So sorry about your older cat.
How is Bella today?

We have progressed to the living room! Bella is fine with me (very nervous of anyone else), trying to just get everyone busying themselves without too much noise around her so she get used to the chaos of a family home. This pic is of her after she’s had a belly rub. She has hissed at the dog, but they haven’t had much contact yet.

Update from the vet is that she has been spayed, which deepens the mystery further as she is not chipped. Other blood results just show worms and fleas which she had been treated for.

You get to rub the belly? That is an honour.

Now that looks like a rather contented cat! She's clearly getting very comfortable, to be lying there dozing with her vulnerable belly on show

Oh yes @Fluffycloudland77 it’s her favourite thing! Husband is just having a cuddle - I knew he’d come around!

Oh they always do!. Happy wife, happy life.

The poor girl still quivers when someone else first comes into the room, but she will let me wrap my arms around her until she’s ok...she will also let me pick her up now. I’m still putting her back into the office on a night so she has some familiarity and knows where the hidey holes are...as always with Bella, small steps.

I'm so sorry to hear your old girl has her wings but glad it was a gentle parting.. what a blessing for Bella to arrive at just the right moment to ease your pain.

It's uncanny: in Jan 2010, a straggly kitten with matted fur visited us for a few weeks and after a long search for his rightful owners revealed he had been wandering the area for months, we moved him inside... just before temperatures plunged to -20c. Strangely, we lost one of our two cats the week before to a RTA.. it was as if this kitten was sent to soften the blow. Strange how the universe works its charms. (Either that or the kitten arranged the whole thing! )

That dear sweet boy was with us until last January when he finally lost a year long battle with lymphoma, and his equally beautiful housemate passed suddenly last June of the same awful disease.. we are now sans cat.

What I would give to have such a little miracle visited upon us again truly those were the happiest years and the universe has blessed you with a precious gift. Enjoy your newfound love! She has certainly chosen well :)

This is the most beguiling story. We too lost our gorgeous boy in a rta. We were heartbroken and no time later, despite all our proclamations to the contrary, a small black kitten tottered into our garden and our hearts.

       I am so sorry for your old girl but so happy for you and Bella.

That's one chilled out cat! Lovely.

How is bella? Are you all under the paw?.

Bella is doing great...it’s slow progress, but we are getting there. I usually try to bring her into the main living space during the day, and always on a night...she sticks around in an evening, but I think the kids do her head in during the day and she’s quite happy to spend the day laid on the sofa in the office while the husband works. He’s does not fuss them too much though, and although Bella likes a fuss I think she likes the quiet too. She has been joining us in the living room on an evening which is nice...she even goes back to the office for food and comes back again. She has been looking longingly out of the office window, so today we put in a cat flap in the corridor that joins the office to the house (so she can come and go without getting involved with the dog or kids). Tomorrow, I will open the cat flap and see what happens...bit nervous. The dog already knows her place with the cat...I think she just sensed the claws and Bella doesn’t care much about the dog.

I’d be worried too. Let us know how she gets on!. Hopefully it will be cold and she’ll come straight back.

..."so today we put in a cat flap in the corridor that joins the office to the house (so she can come and go without getting involved with the dog or kids."
Can you tell me more about this cat flap, please, as the only type that I know of is in a door. Or have I missed something?

You can put flaps in walls too, they sell extension tunnels.