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The litter tray

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

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Original poster

Have I done more harm than good?

21 replies

OatFox · 10/12/2022 23:22

Resident stray cat has been fed by next door neighbours for 6 months but doesn't have an owner. Hadn't seen her beforehand but only stays near mine and next door's house. No microchip and after several appals in the local Facebook group nobody has claimed her. DH built an off the ground warm shelter from the rain for it near our drive as that's where the cat always stays.

I'm hormonal right now and realised how bloody cold it is (-2 already tonight). I've only gone and brought the cat in for warmth. I thought I was doing a good thing but friends have said I'll have done more harm than good as now it won't leave.

We have two dogs and a cat but the stray one has just had something to eat and found a spot in DD1's (14) quiet room to cosy up. She's a bit thin but doesn't seem to have fleas and absolutely loves being handled. Seems like quite a young cat and has some hair missing from the tail area which has been over groomed but otherwise well.

Please tell me I did the right thing saving the cat from the cold tonight. Any advice?

OP posts:

thelobsterquadrille · 10/12/2022 23:26

Congratulations!

You now have a second cat

QueueEtwo · 10/12/2022 23:33

Yes you absolutely are!
My cat has been missing for 12 months I am clinging on to the fact that people like you are looking after him!

Thank you for looking after him.

freeandfierce · 10/12/2022 23:33

I would have done the same, it's far too cold to leave cats outside

Toddlerteaplease · 11/12/2022 03:14

If you can't keep her, please take her to a rescue. I found a cat who was living in similar conditions, a few month ago. He had a bed outside, People were allegedly feeding him. But they weren't properly looking after him. They put a note on the bin saying he was 'a fine actor.' He wasn't. He was actually dying. And very hungry. Got a local rescue to take him. And he lived the life of Riley for a couple of months, before he died in comfort and warmth. Instead of under a bush.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/12/2022 03:15

But yes. You've done the right thing.

Spliffle · 11/12/2022 03:32

You have done the right thing. My cat dashed outside during a bitter winter when I was a child & we couldn't get it back in whatsoever. It froze to death under a bush.

Clarich007 · 11/12/2022 12:54

Thank you OatFox. You have done the right thing.
My cat who constantly roams, has been out now for 10 days, first in heavy rain, now in freezing conditions and heavy snow. We're in Yorkshire near the Pennines, so it's a bit rough.
I just hope someone is kind enough to look after him.

Fluffycloudland77 · 11/12/2022 13:45

How can letting a domestic animal inside be a bad thing.

Original poster

OatFox · 11/12/2022 21:35

She went out this morning about 11 and now she's back in for the evening on my lap. Poor little thing chomped down the food and had some salmon as a treat and seems nervous but content.

OP posts:

verdantverdure · 11/12/2022 21:41

You've done the right thing. People like you restore my faith in the world. Thank you.

Unforgettablefire · 11/12/2022 21:42

You're an angel op 😊

CatChant · 11/12/2022 21:43

Definitely the right thing. Thank you.

Clarich007 · 11/12/2022 21:49

Glad she's ok. How can it ever be wrong to help an animal.
Could we have a photo? It's the cat tax we all have to pay on here 😻😂

IntheSnowySnowyMountains · 11/12/2022 23:07

You did the right thing.

We were feeding a stray in winter 11 years ago... eventually she started coming in for longer periods. Started putting on weight... oh good, we thought. She was pregnant! We took her to the vet and she wasn't chipped. Kept her and two out of four kittens, other two went to a close friend. Mum left us last year but we still have the 'kittens'!

So yes you have a second cat but he/she maybe needs a trip to the vet if you don't want a third and fourth

Original poster

OatFox · 12/12/2022 08:44

She's a little void with huge eyes and a ginger tipped tail.

OP posts:

CatChant · 12/12/2022 08:47

Oh, she is beautiful!

Original poster

OatFox · 12/12/2022 08:50

I'll try and take a better photo later as she spends all of her time with her head buried in and cuddling as she's so nervous. But she's warm and fed so that's the most important thing right now.

OP posts:

TheLadyofShalott1 · 22/01/2023 00:45

Thank you OP for your love of the vunerable, and thanks to your partner too. That beautiful cat is so lucky to have found you, and as pp have said, if you can't keep her for any reason, then please take her to a trusted rescue centre. But I do think that she wants to be with you, and has already adopted you! 🪻🪻🪻

TheLadyofShalott1 · 22/01/2023 00:46

Oops, I just realised that this post was from December, Sorry! But the sentiment remains the same 😊

Mia184 · 22/01/2023 08:23

I would love to see a new picture of the cat!

verdantverdure · 22/01/2023 22:01

She's gorgeous @OatFox

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