Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

Stray or not?

21 replies

bladebladebla1 · 24/05/2023 21:29

We've had a lovely cat coming to see us lately which I assumed was stray as had no collar, so I have been feeding him (I know, I know that's a big no no but I honestly thought he must be hungry as he was hanging around a lot). But in hindsight, he's very clean and friendly so now I'm questioning myself, and although no collar a quick google tells me he could be chipped which is obvs not visible to me. So.... you guys with chipped cats, so they also have collars? Wondering how likely it is that I've pissed off a family by feeding their cat as he's here ALOT now.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 24/05/2023 21:30

Not all cats wear collars!

Original poster
bladebladebla1 · 24/05/2023 21:32

@Toddlerteaplease well yes I gather, since the one I'm talking about does not 😂.

OP posts:
Mardiarse · 24/05/2023 21:38

I don’t put collars on mine and they are chipped.
I would ask around the neighbours and put a paper collar on them to check for an owner. I wouldn’t just assume they look ok, so must have a home. The cat may be still be lost or abandoned.

Original poster
bladebladebla1 · 24/05/2023 21:44

Mardiarse · 24/05/2023 21:38

I don’t put collars on mine and they are chipped.
I would ask around the neighbours and put a paper collar on them to check for an owner. I wouldn’t just assume they look ok, so must have a home. The cat may be still be lost or abandoned.

@Mardiarse thank you, paper collar- great idea.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 24/05/2023 21:47

My 2 are also chipped with no collars

NoLostCause · 24/05/2023 21:49

My cats are chipped but don't wear collars. They both look healthy and well cared for but I'm sure they wouldn't turn down a free meal. I'd be pretty pissed off if one of my neighbours started feeding them. They're very much loved and already have a home!

Cheekyfuckerseverywhere · 24/05/2023 21:51

Yes paper collar him. It’s every cats dream to have double meals.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 24/05/2023 21:59

No collar here but chipped. Please just don't feed any cats, even if you think they are a stray. If you genuinely do think a stray contact cats protection or call your local vets and see if they will scan them for a chip.

Original poster
bladebladebla1 · 24/05/2023 22:00

NoLostCause · 24/05/2023 21:49

My cats are chipped but don't wear collars. They both look healthy and well cared for but I'm sure they wouldn't turn down a free meal. I'd be pretty pissed off if one of my neighbours started feeding them. They're very much loved and already have a home!

Yep, I already acknowledged that I realise I may have pissed someone off and hence why I'm asking for advice

OP posts:
Original poster
bladebladebla1 · 24/05/2023 22:00

Cheekyfuckerseverywhere · 24/05/2023 21:51

Yes paper collar him. It’s every cats dream to have double meals.

And mine 😂

OP posts:
Yarnysaura · 24/05/2023 22:18

Paper collar and also post a pic in your local FB/NextDoor group to ask if anyone knows him.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/05/2023 12:59

Neighbourhood facebook page sounds a good starting point , someone might have moved in and the cat made a break for freedom while settling .
Or might have moved away and he's come back , and his his search for food has wandered a bit .
Or , someone might have moved and left him behind Sad Angry in which case , you might be getting a new cat !

Take some photos if you can , especially if he's distinctive but be a bit vague in your Facebook posts until someone contacts you and they can give details .

Thankfully mine aren't the type too accept bribes and free dinners (yes they are real Wink ) but the old cat would join her friend (NDN cat) for Double Dinner quite regularly - NDN encoraged her and we didn't mind .

TheSnowyOwl · 27/05/2023 13:02

Always told not to collar cats as it’s a strangulation risk for them. Subsequently mine don’t have collars but I’m pretty sure they’d love an extra meal at somebody else’s house.

In general a legitimately stray cat usually doesn’t look like the kind of animal you want in your house because they look full of flea dirt, and generally neglected.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 27/05/2023 13:57

Cats shouldn't really wear collars as even the quick-release ones can fail and cause them to strangle themselves.

Mine are both chipped and have never worn collars - and I'd be really pissed off to find that someone was feeding them.

If you want a cat to feed, get your own!

Cheekyfuckerseverywhere · 27/05/2023 14:02

It’ll be a paper collar. You can print templates off to help find cats owners.

Gingerkittykat · 27/05/2023 14:16

Joining a locl lost cat group in your area can help. They have loads of success stories on my local group and quite often neighbours recognise the cat.

amylou8 · 27/05/2023 14:25

Cats are scammers. They'll never turn down a free lunch. We have frequent visits from 4 or 5 local cats who come in through the access for our cats. One of them I'm pretty sure is a stray, he's skinny and terrified. The others are just being cats. Mine are probably doing exactly the same down the street! None of the cats wear collars, they can be dangerous. Unless the cat is there all the time, or looks unwell (although older well cared for cats often look thin and scruffy) I'd not worry. If you are concerned posting on your local FB group would be a good start, or ask if there's a rescue that can check for a chip.

Catsandcats · 27/05/2023 14:57

Please, please try the paper collar, asking around and posting his picture on local groups. If you get nowhere with that if you Google Scan Angels someone will come out free and check him for a microchip, or you can take him to a vet or a rescue to check.

My beautiful, confident, friendly Siamese has been missing for 10 months now and I'm convinced he's wandered to another village and can't find his way back so has found someone who is caring for him. I'm devastated still and pray for the day someone scans him and gets him back to me. You could seriously make someone's whole life if he's a lost cat and you're able to reunite him.

Soubriquet · 27/05/2023 15:22

My cat won’t wear a collar. She panics and becomes a danger to herself. She is microchipped though

However, she wouldn’t come near you in the first place anyway. She’s friendly with us, but no strangers

FloofCloud · 27/05/2023 15:25

Cheekyfuckerseverywhere · 24/05/2023 21:51

Yes paper collar him. It’s every cats dream to have double meals.

Indeed it is! Is he a black panther like cat because I'm sure my cat has at least 3 other feeders!

EchidnaKidney · 27/05/2023 15:42

Not at all relevant but I had to poke my head in to see if anybody had suggested the thread should be called "Stray or nay" Grin

New posts on this thread. Refresh page