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

Original poster

Looks like we are being adopted

73 replies

MEgirl · 04/04/2023 21:57

The fluff ball in the picture sauntered in to my house a few days ago and has been hanging around since. It's very friendly, so much so that Apollo doesn't chase it away(he's just visible under the chair).

I gave it a few biscuits this afternoon and it camped outside the kitchen door tonight. It's very chirpy as though it's trying to tell me something. I wouldn't be surprised if it works out how to get in through the cat flap. I can't make the flap Out only as Apollo doesn't stay out all night.

What are the chances that within a few days we will have a new family member?

Looks like we are being adopted
Looks like we are being adopted
Looks like we are being adopted
Looks like we are being adopted
OP posts:
userxx · 04/04/2023 21:59

It looks pretty well looked after, won't it be a local cat just out for the biscuits?

Hallmark1234 · 04/04/2023 21:59

Aww those eyes! That look! How can you resist?

Fluffyrug191 · 04/04/2023 22:00

Stop yourself from pinching someones cat!

fuzzbearpenguin · 04/04/2023 22:01

I wouldn't feed it, it's likely someone else's cat that you're stealing! If you think it's a stray that you want to take in, take it to vet to see if it's chipped and ask the owners first.

megacat · 04/04/2023 22:04

Why would you assume you can just adopt a passing cat? It'll be a six dinner sid opportunist with a home of its own. You must paper collar it and if no joy get it scanned.

QueenSmartypants · 04/04/2023 22:04

He looks pretty well fed and in good condition, he's probably not a stray!

TriggeredByGravy · 04/04/2023 22:05

cat burglar! 🤣

Toddlerteaplease · 04/04/2023 22:06

Please don't feed or encourage it. Unless you are seriously concerned fit it's welfare. It's probably a six dinner Sid.

Dancemonkee · 04/04/2023 22:09

Someone tried to steal my friendly cat like this once. He was having cuddles on their sofa. Don't encourage it, it looks well looked after.

OnaBegonia · 04/04/2023 22:10

Why assume it's a stray? You shouldn't feed him/her, honestly ppl need to stop this.

Prescottdanni123 · 04/04/2023 22:11

Please establish that he is definitely a stray before you take him in. He could have a loving family of his own.

Soproudoflionesses · 04/04/2023 22:20

My little boy regularly appears on facebook streetwatch as a stray but it's bullshit - he has a very loved home!

Original poster
MEgirl · 04/04/2023 22:20

I have no intention of stealing it and every intention of trying to get it to a vet. I'll also post on the local facebook groups. It is dirty and very matted so am wondering whether it has been dumped or left behind by someone. I would hate to think that someone is looking for their cat that has gone missing.

I'll try over the next few days to take it in and hopefully it IS chipped and can be reunited with its owner.

OP posts:
userxx · 04/04/2023 22:27

Maybe the photo is making him look in better condition than he actually is, hopefully you'll find the owner.

StarDolphins · 04/04/2023 22:30

Surely if he’s matted & dirty & doesn’t have a chip AND he’s chosen you then he’s your cat!😀

Original poster
MEgirl · 04/04/2023 22:31

I'll report back if I manage to catch it and get it to the vet.

OP posts:
Original poster
MEgirl · 04/04/2023 22:34

userxx · 04/04/2023 22:27

Maybe the photo is making him look in better condition than he actually is, hopefully you'll find the owner.

I haven't got close enough to see properly. Its face looks okay but in the day light it is possible to see a huge muddy looking patch on its side. My daughter managed to stroke its head while it was eating and said that up close it is possible to see that it is very matted.

OP posts:
Exl · 04/04/2023 22:50

DO NOT TAKE IT TO A VET.

It is clearly a healthy cat that’s a bit bored and wandering round nearby houses to beg for snacks, as many cats do.

Some busybody tried to ‘adopt’ my elderly cat and kidnapped it for a few nights then took it to the vet. He died shortly afterwards from the shock / not getting his regular medication.

Cats wander. It’s what they do. Unless it is obviously unhealthy, leave it alone and DO NOT feed it, you don’t know what allergies or medical needs it has.

Namechangingagain111 · 04/04/2023 23:03
  1. Get a microchip controlled cat flap so that random cats can't come in to your house - Apollo might be ok with this particular one but maybe not with others
  2. Put a paper collar on the interloper (write your details on it - see here for info: https://www.cats.org.uk/croydon/news/paper-collars-for-stray-cats)
  3. Put the cat outside, keep it outside for at least a couple of days and don't feed it however much it pleads with you !

As others have said, you have no idea what allergies it might have, or what medication it might be missing while it's lounging around at your house.

Paper Collars for Stray Cats

HOW TO MAKE A PAPER COLLAR FOR A POTENTIAL STRAY CAT Take a strip of paper and add wording along the lines of:

https://www.cats.org.uk/croydon/news/paper-collars-for-stray-cats

Original poster
MEgirl · 04/04/2023 23:10

Exl · 04/04/2023 22:50

DO NOT TAKE IT TO A VET.

It is clearly a healthy cat that’s a bit bored and wandering round nearby houses to beg for snacks, as many cats do.

Some busybody tried to ‘adopt’ my elderly cat and kidnapped it for a few nights then took it to the vet. He died shortly afterwards from the shock / not getting his regular medication.

Cats wander. It’s what they do. Unless it is obviously unhealthy, leave it alone and DO NOT feed it, you don’t know what allergies or medical needs it has.

That's a bit of an extreme response. I assure you that I have no intention of letting it in the house and I WILL be taking it to a vet to check for a chip. If it is lost then it can be returned to its owner.

I'm not sure how you can tell that it is healthy from a photo that was taken in the dark and all that can be seen is its face.

My own cat wanders and can be gone for hours. I have no idea where he goes. We've also had people come in to our garden looking for an airtag that fell off their cat. They live a good half mile away from us across a park and a busy road.

I've already said more than once that I intend trying to re-unite the cat with its owner if there is one.

OP posts:
fuzzbearpenguin · 04/04/2023 23:35

OP you are being very defensive now to people telling you not to feed it as you don't know it's medical needs and now saying that your intention is to take it to vets to check for chip.

Your literal title and OP state that you think you'll be adopting it and have fed it!! Just stop! Just leave the cat alone! It is not your cat!!

verdantverdure · 04/04/2023 23:48

Checking for a chip and/or putting in a paper collar with your phone number on it is the advice if you think a cat might be lost.

If people ignore cats who are in good condition then that robs cats who have only been lost for a short time of the chance to get home.

That's how they end up being injured ill old street cats who don't trust people any more.

If in doubt, help the cat..

If it turns out he lives in the next street then great. If not, you can help him.

notangelinajolie · 04/04/2023 23:49

It’s not your cat. Please don’t take it anywhere.
Muddy, mangled fur doesn’t make it a stray - some cats (like mine) are scruffy buggers.
It’s not a requirement for cats to be chipped yet - it’s quite possible it has no chip. What then? What if it is a much loved family pet owned by an elderly lady who has gone on an adventure. Are you going to steal it?

notangelinajolie · 04/04/2023 23:50
  • the cat - not the elderly lady 🙃
MsFogi · 04/04/2023 23:50

Stop stealing someone else's cat!!!!