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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.

Original poster

It appears I am the chosen one

33 replies

SunshinePaddles · 05/02/2023 09:03

This little guy appeared in our backyard today. I have placed a note on our local Facebook page looking for its owners but I don't hold much hope.

How old do you think he is (I'm pretty sure it's a boy)?

He is very small, maybe 1-2lb soaking wet. Looks clean but a little smelly.

I sent DH out to buy a litter tray and kitten food, whilst we search for the owner and he came back with litter tray, litter, kitten food, kitten milk, collar, toys etc... gotta love that man.

He is very sweet and loves to play, has used his litter tray but is exceptionally hungry.

It appears I am the chosen one
It appears I am the chosen one
OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 05/02/2023 09:04

Erm this isn’t your cat. Not all owners are on FB. Vet to check for microchip first. Then paper collar to check it doesn’t have an owner.

Original poster
SunshinePaddles · 05/02/2023 09:06

Wolfiefan · 05/02/2023 09:04

Erm this isn’t your cat. Not all owners are on FB. Vet to check for microchip first. Then paper collar to check it doesn’t have an owner.

Relax, I have every intention of doing so, local vets are closed at the moment and will be open tomorrow.

OP posts:
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 05/02/2023 09:08

I'd say around 10 months but some cats are naturally small my 3 year old moggie is the size of a 6 month old kitten and just never grew.

That said it's not your cat, if he only appeared this morning it's only 9am your not giving the owner enough time at all, vets tomorrow to scan for a chip,

FenghuangHoyan · 05/02/2023 09:10

Sounds nice and if nothing else, your giving him a nice meal and a warm place to play in for a bit.

Similar happened to me years ago. Ginger cat just wandered in one day with "my" cat when I opened the door and stayed for the next three years. He was great fun.

Coffeellama · 05/02/2023 09:11

Not sure why you need a litter tray! If he’s happy and healthy why do you need to lock him in? That will guarentee he can’t get home! He only appeared this morning I’m not sure he needs stealing yet.

He is very cute though! Enjoy the cuddles and let him go home. Vets tomorrow if he’s still lingering.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 05/02/2023 09:11

You can't mean 1-2lb surely?
From that photo he looks like a young cat rather than a kitten, and the smell may well imply he's a stray. Does he still have his bits?
If he doesn't have a chip I'd suggest you look after him (and give him a wash 🙀)

Original poster
SunshinePaddles · 05/02/2023 09:17

I should have included and I apologise, I'm not in the UK so it's actually Sunday evening here and he only appeared a couple of hours ago.

Vets are closed until the morning, he looks young maybe 8 weeks or so.

I have no intention of just keeping him and not doing everything possible to find the owners. I just want to ensure he is safe until then.

We have a large amount of wildlife that doesn't suit kittens (snakes, foxes etc) and are somewhat semi rural (small suburb surrounded by bush).

Vet opens at 8am, until then I have posted on our local FB group, and will wait.

My primary concern is for the kitten, keeping him safe and finding the owners.

OP posts:
Coffeellama · 05/02/2023 09:20

He is much older than 8 weeks!

FenghuangHoyan · 05/02/2023 09:20

Sounds to me like you're doing the right thing. If my cat ended up hungry and bedraggled, I'd like someone to look after him until I found the little so and so. And if it's a stray, then you're definitely doing the best for the little thing.

MissMaple82 · 05/02/2023 09:24

Your not the chosen one! This annoys me so much. It is a young cat, it has probably escaped, gone on an adventure and got lost, or he's he's not even got lost as yet, he's just exploring. You need to do more than a Facebook post. His family might be very worried about him. He may well be abandoned but its far too early to claim your the chosen one and setting up new home for him

MissMaple82 · 05/02/2023 09:24

He's also not 8 weeks... more like 8 months

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 05/02/2023 09:25

There's no way he's 8 weeks old! He's much older than that.

Coffeellama · 05/02/2023 09:26

To add after your new info I understand not letting him out if it’s late there. But he’s not so young and has probably got carried away exploring or escaped, so even if he isn’t chipped please do more exploring to get him home! He looks lovely and perfectly happy, doesnt look like much of a stray.

WandaWonder · 05/02/2023 09:30

I'm glad the cat is in till the owner is hopefully found, saves wildlife cats being inside

If more cats were in less would be lost, I am glad you are looking after this cat.

TheCatsMakethTheHome · 05/02/2023 09:34

This is my boy at exactly eight weeks. I’d say the kitten you’ve found is around six months?^^

It appears I am the chosen one
Original poster
SunshinePaddles · 05/02/2023 09:50

He could very well be older he is just so small which made me think he was quite young.

He is only 1-2 pounds in weight.

Hopefully the owners make contact or he is microchipped so we can get him back to his owners asap. If not I will start asking around the nearby houses to see if he is from there and also let the local shelter know.

We only have one vet here in town so if reported as missing that will be the vet they report it to. Next vet is 7 miles away.

OP posts:
2Old2BABPpresenter · 05/02/2023 09:52

That cat is much older than 8 weeks. My kitten is 13 weeks and looks half his size. Get him to the vets as soon as you can.

Original poster
SunshinePaddles · 05/02/2023 23:35

Warm and fuzzy update.

Owner has been found and kitty returned.

OP posts:
EmmaEmerald · 05/02/2023 23:40

SunshinePaddles · 05/02/2023 23:35

Warm and fuzzy update.

Owner has been found and kitty returned.

Oh they must be so relieved, lucky he had you to look out for him.

TheLongRider · 05/02/2023 23:41

Well done! This is your sign to get your own rescue kitty especially if your husband is willing too.

Stardu · 05/02/2023 23:47

Well done for looking after him and tracking down the owner so fast OP.

Boy cats do like to wander 🙈 one of mine has gone off to live in the wood twice and forgot his way back, had to be collected 🤦‍♀️

Stardu · 05/02/2023 23:48

Ps wounds like you and your partner are ready for a cat of your own!

DrHousecuredme · 05/02/2023 23:54

Great update!
Now you have all the clutter, get yourself to a cat rescue and get a permanent cat to go with it!

Florissant · 06/02/2023 07:24

SunshinePaddles · 05/02/2023 23:35

Warm and fuzzy update.

Owner has been found and kitty returned.

Great result!

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 06/02/2023 11:52

Aww, they must be very relieved!

You've got all the gear now so may as well adopt a cat or it’s money wasted