Neighbours kitten

[MerryCheesemas]

I live on a main road and our back door go out onto a garden. The neighbours a few doors down from us have recently acquired a kitten. They do not have access to the rear of the house like we do. They have 5 young children so have a lot on, and don’t have a cat flap. The kitten has been allowed to roam freely since about 12 weeks old. We were convinced the poor thing would be run over by now but he has realised that our garden is a fun place to hang out and it smart enough to a oidthe road.
The kitten is often locked out of his own house all day as they don’t have a cat flap. We found him curled up on our frosty trampoline several days in a row during the last cold snap so we’ve put a cat shelter at the bottom of the garden so he has a dry warm place to sleep when locked out. He’s in there every day now from 8am to 4pm.

So my issue: I reckon the kitten is around 20 weeks old now. He’s not been castrated yet. I don’t know if the neighbours have any intention of getting him done and the last thing I want is an uncastrated male cat hanging around.
Should he have had the op by now? And how do I approach this with the neighbours? They’re not exactly neighbourly people (there’s lots of drug dealers coming and going) but they’re not unpleasant either. I just don’t trust them to act in this cats best interests.

Do you know someone who might like him? A family member etc. As that way you'll be able to see how he's getting on.

Kitten update: we seem to have reached an entente cordial with old boy cat, but just as long as kitten stays in the kitchen. Since the weather has turned stormy again, he’s been coming in a lot, so much so DD has given him a bed 😊
We’ve flea’d him and have put a camera in the kitchen so we can keep an eye on how often he is coming in.
Yesterday he was here most of the afternoon and evening. He visited again just before we came to bed and was still here at 5am when DD got up to let old boy cat out.

Cat tax.

I love his one white whisker.

Gorgeous inkblot. That bed looks very cosy.

He is a very handsome cat 😍

Cute cute.

Will you have your own name for him?

He is irresistible!

My cat used to have one white whisker when it fell out we were devastated it was the fastest way of telling him apart from his brothers

He’s lovely!! My kitten is over 6 months old and we still feed him 4 times a day 🥹 makes me so sad that this little guy is chucked out. So glad he’s got you!

What a stunning cat ❤️

This 100%. The bit where you describe him ‘curled up on your frosty trampoline’ several days in a row did it for me! Well done for being kind and compassionate….

Hello all. Update on the wee man. He’s been deflea’d, vaccinated and castrated by us, and has basically moved himself in. I do think he pops back “home” from time to time but that’s ok now we know he’s having decent food and shelter here.
The trouble now is my old boy cat has become really neurotic about the newbie. Whilst the little man is taking it all in his stride, my old rescue cat is becoming increasingly stressed rather than getting used to the company.
Ive just ordered some Feliway which I hope will help, but wondered if anyone had some good ideas? Rescue cat did not have a good start in life before he came to us and I hate to see him so upset.

Aww I’m so glad to hear this! There are so many Tom cats who just get left to fend for themselves, thank goodness this little guy found you! I have found with time most cats become more tolerant of each other, it might easier as the little one gets a bit older and less boisterous

Really good update on the (formerly) Tom! Can you give them separate spaces in your house for the time being? Your existing boy should get used to the new chap in time, and the diffuser should help, but giving him his own space where the new chap can't go would help him feel secure in the meantime.

It's really tricky. We have taken in many many feral kittens over the years (used to live in a place that was a dumping ground for unwanted cats, who proceeded to breed in the wild), and the honest truth is that some older cats never adapt to another cat in their house.

I would suggest having areas that the older cat can go that the kitten is never allowed to, so they still have their own territory.

Poor kitten! Glad you've taken over actually caring for the poor thing.
We use Feliway but mainly catnip which we sprinkle for all the cats to roll in or nibble on - it's helped our older female be less hissy and grumpy with our rescue boy kittens over the last 2 years
Good luck

Thanks for the advice. It’s good to know we’re on the right track. We’re allowing the old boy to have upstairs to himself so he has some time away from the little chap. And I think you’re right over time he”ll settle down once he’s through the teenage years. When you’ve got older cats you forget how active young ones are! He’s in and out and in and out and in and out before finally sleeping solid for an afternoon then back in and out again 😂

Thank you for looking after the neglected kitten. And yes, grim about your old boy. Our old girl cat never did forgive us for rescuing kittens ☹️. Hope the safe spaces and plenty of Feliway, catnip and (dare I say) Dreamies reconcile him.