Not sure how much to intervene with this cat.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Out for a walk yesterday and came across a cat in very poor condition. Skinny and dirty. I spoke to a neighbour who said he is fed twice a day. And has always looked scruffy.

Posted on my local cat's Facebook page, and got inundated with people telling me to basically cat nap him.

A rescue fit in touch with me who are willing to help. Went back for another look, there is a note on the bib saying that he's fed and watered and although the looks uncared for he isn't and is an actor. The person who was feeding him has died and the house sold. But he's still being cared for.
I feel that I should leave it. Its not ideal, but the note on the bin suggests other people are concerned and they are aware of it.
But now the rescue want to scan him and possibly take to a vet. Help what do I do now!!

[2bazookas]

The lady from the rescue is going to meet me on Monday and we will see if we can scan him for a chip.

While you've got him, give him a worming pill and a drop of flea treatment on the back of his neck. Getting rid of parasites will make him look and feel better.

[CassandraCross]

@2bazookas

The lady from the rescue is going to meet me on Monday and we will see if we can scan him for a chip.

While you've got him, give him a worming pill and a drop of flea treatment on the back of his neck. Getting rid of parasites will make him look and feel better.

I think you need to read the OP's updates @2bazookas

[Toddlerteaplease]

@2bazookas yes that was done.
I keep thinking of that story about starfish on a beach and a child throwing them back into the sea.. and when told she couldn't save them all, said it made a difference to that one.

[Snooks1971]

@Toddlerteaplease

@2bazookas yes that was done.
I keep thinking of that story about starfish on a beach and a child throwing them back into the sea.. and when told she couldn't save them all, said it made a difference to that one.

The news about poor Len really upset me last night, thank god he’s in safe no loving arms for the rest of his wee life. Thank you @Toddlerteaplease for not just walking on by and what you said about the girl and the starfish is so true.

[Summerholidayorcovidagain]

I threw a huge lobster back last week. Still chuffed about it!!
If everyone did 1 small thing. Just imagine..

[Toddlerteaplease]

I think I'm going to write a letter to his feeders and just say that he's safe cared for and receiving the treatment he desperately needed. Not much pint in throwing stones at them, if they thought they were helping him.

[zaffa]

@Toddlerteaplease

It's a shame that if he pulls through I can't offer him a home. Snorg would unfortunately go ballistic. She is fine with Persians in her house. But god forbid a moggy appears on her patch and all he'll breaks loose.

The CP once told us that they would prefer not to regime strays in their old territory as it means they often resume wandering ways. Of course a home is better than no home, but please don't feel bad you can't rehome him permanently because 1) it may not be for the best with the other 'bin note' people about who may try and snatch him and 2) you've already been his guardian angel!

[zaffa]

Oh @Toddlerteaplease I just read the rest of your post. Thank you so much for taking action for Lovely Len and finding him somewhere safe to spend the rest of his days - they may be short but they will be happy.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Zaffa. He's actually about a ten min walk from where I live. Far enough away that it wouldn't be an issue. But he's staying where his anyway.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I thought it will be less passive aggressive. If Len has written the note. What do you think.

[nettie434]

I think that is a brilliant note, Toddlerteaplease. Looking at the photos of Len I just can't see how even a total non cat expert could have thought he was managing ok. His willingness to go with you and the rescue person and stay with the foster carer really do suggest that after the woman who looked after him died, he would have settled in a real home had he been given a chance.

At least his remaining time will be comfortable. It's good that you decided to ignore the comments about him being fine and an actor wanting food.

[Allergictoironing]

@Toddlerteaplease

I thought it will be less passive aggressive. If Len has written the note. What do you think.

I found that note VERY passive agressive - and absolutely perfect!

[TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo]

Perfect note!

[Toddlerteaplease]

My sister thinks I'm taking it too far, and that not everyone is a cat expert. You don't need to be an expert to see that he was ill.

[NeverDropYourMooncup]

@Toddlerteaplease

I thought it will be less passive aggressive. If Len has written the note. What do you think.

I think that taking out the last phrase would be wise, as it's accusative - and they did feed him and provide a shelter when they didn't have to.

I would put down 'thank you for feeding me and giving me somewhere to sleep - your kindness gave me more time to enjoy the sunshine on my ears and feel the breeze on my whiskers'.


After all, if they hadn't done that, he would likely have been dead two years ago, rather than playing with his octopus and eating chicken today.

[Yarnasaurus]

@Allergictoironing

I found that note VERY passive agressive - and absolutely perfect!

Yup, exactly this.

It is perfect.

[HJ40]

I can't think someone didn't care if they bothered to write the note, they just don't know how to give the right sort of care. If they really were intentionally cruel they wouldn't have bothered feeding.

Therefore I would either be explicit, and say if you come across a cat like me again please take me to a vet or leave out the last sentence.

[Want2beme]

Great note Toddler. Hopefully, they'll be more mindful if another kitty in need comes along to their neighbourhood.

Hope Len's in good form today.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I've re writing it slightly

[longtompot]

That's an excellent note and your sister is wrong about you taking it too far. They aren't cat experts and therefore should not have told other people to not intervene when he clearly needed the help he is now getting.

[findingsomeone]

This has made me really emotional. My brother lived in Lenton very close by. He loved cats, and would often make friends with cats in the local area who would stroll down the street with him or be his pal. He was in a shared house so couldn't have pets.

My brother died suddenly in 2021. I know he'll be waiting at rainbow bridge for Len when it's his time, they might have even been pals before ❤️

[Summerholidayorcovidagain]

Op could it be possible he was too dirty looking for the feeders to even considering touching him ? Sad tale I know. Was so desperate for a happy ending..

[Toddlerteaplease]

I don't think so. I was happy to touch him! Your brother might have met one of mine on their occasional forays out into the big wide world.

[Snooks1971]

I think your note was perfect Toddler not accusatory and so hopefully they won’t get defensive and take on board your points should they ever see a cat in need again. I’ve set up a small monthly standing order to the rescue for Len’s care and in honour of him.

Takes me back to over 30 years ago and I lived smack bang in the middle of a city, small terraced house, a cat came and sat stoically ‘loaf like’ on my back side wall, just sat there in the pouring rain. Took her in…omg the stench from her mouth. Poor girl couldn’t close her mouth, all her teeth/gums were rotten, she was the gentlest cat in the world, called her Pam.

I racked up £2k of credit card debt for her (the vet wore a Rolex lol but I’m not joking) but I would do it all again. This was pre-internet, I was early 20s and I didn’t have any contacts., so hard to find a rescue who might help.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Still living his best life!