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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

So this cat showed up in my garden yesterday…

193 replies

Inarightpickleandpreserve · 29/12/2023 12:05

Yesterday morning this little small kitty showed up meowing really loud at the door. Never seen it before. Went out and came back and it’s still there. Went out again and it’s still there so I gave it some tuna from a can which was wolfed down.

The weather was awful yesterday and I couldn’t bear thinking about leaving it outside so I set up a little bed in the garage with a blanket in a laundry basket which a heat pad. Makeshift litter box with a shoe box and hastily purchased corner shop litter.

My girls and I took it to the vet and today and they said he’s a boy cat about 10 months old, no chip, not been neutered and did we want to take him home?

so £100 in pets home later we have one kitty that’s moved in with us!! He is very purry and seems happy to be inside and warm.

ive got a litter box, carry case, scratch thing, got him chipped and have some sachets of food.

what else do I need to do??? Help!!

So this cat showed up in my garden yesterday…
OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 29/12/2023 12:48

We have two house cats and had them chipped at their first vaccinations and fixed at 4.5 months.
I wouldn't be handing him over to anybody without a very good explanation and proof they responsible to have him back.

AutumnComfort · 29/12/2023 12:51

Check your local cat rescue places in case anyone is missing him.

BombaySamphire · 29/12/2023 12:53

Ignore the cat rustling comments, op.
He’s yours now, nobody else was looking after him.

IsEveryUserNameBloodyTaken · 29/12/2023 12:54

Inarightpickleandpreserve · 29/12/2023 12:10

Thanks all, the vet checked him over this morning said he was in decent health but under weight. We did have a look locally to see if anyone had put a missing cat poster up but no.

will post on the social media.

thanks

Beware of people coming forward and claiming it as their cat without definite proof.
Dog fighters obtain free bait by getting their girlfriend with kids in tow to claim it is their cat.

StBrides · 29/12/2023 12:55

Don't take the posts down for goodness sake 🙄

He could be someone's house cat who got out and as a house cat, there could be valid reasons why he had not yet been chipped. He could also have been living stray for a while.

When a cat goes missing, it tears you apart. Op you need to make a concerted effort to find its ow ers -social media and contact local vets & shelters.

Santaisscouringindeedfornewjob · 29/12/2023 12:55

Micro chipping isn't a legal obligation yet. Looks a clean and tidy dcat to me.Ime of strays they have gooey eyes and noses. And seem nervous.. Unlike your house guest..
.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 29/12/2023 12:57

He’s chosen you , OP and the lap of DD.

twigolsenisabrat · 29/12/2023 12:57

This is the cat distribution system at work - you are now chosen!

He sounds like a long term stray or being abandoned by someone. check with the local cat rescue places is probably your best bet. If someone has lost a cat locally there are usually lots of posters up.

Sera1989 · 29/12/2023 12:59

He looks gorgeous but I think you have been a bit hasty in thinking you have a new addition to your family. There are lots of reasons the cat might not be chipped and neutered (indoor cat, owners on a budget, elderly owner etc.). Yes, it is irresponsible to not chip the cat but that doesn't mean the owner doesn't deserve him back. Outdoor posters aren't really common anymore. If I were you I would be posting on every local Facebook group and leave a flier at the local newsagents and vets. Young cats tend to play with prey rather than eat it so I'm not surprised he's underweight if he's lost but he's in good condition and is clearly not feral. Please give it at least a couple of weeks before deciding that this lovely kitty is now yours

justhadenoughofitall · 29/12/2023 13:01

RubySundayy · 29/12/2023 12:12

Can’t believe you’re all preaching at the OP to find the owner of an underweight, unchipped cat.

Exactly.

You need to cuddle him, Op. Over and over ❤️🐈‍⬛

arewedoneyet · 29/12/2023 13:02

Sera1989 · 29/12/2023 12:59

He looks gorgeous but I think you have been a bit hasty in thinking you have a new addition to your family. There are lots of reasons the cat might not be chipped and neutered (indoor cat, owners on a budget, elderly owner etc.). Yes, it is irresponsible to not chip the cat but that doesn't mean the owner doesn't deserve him back. Outdoor posters aren't really common anymore. If I were you I would be posting on every local Facebook group and leave a flier at the local newsagents and vets. Young cats tend to play with prey rather than eat it so I'm not surprised he's underweight if he's lost but he's in good condition and is clearly not feral. Please give it at least a couple of weeks before deciding that this lovely kitty is now yours

I think if he was previously owned by someone who for whatever reason wasn't able to meet his needs it's better for him he stays with Op not be returned to continue to not have his needs met

Sera1989 · 29/12/2023 13:03

If someone does come forward to claim him and you think they may be lying, ask to see photos of the cat in their house (particularly as a young kitten) or ask them about distinctive markings (asymmetry, belly markings, toe bean colours)

StrawberryFizz27 · 29/12/2023 13:04

You're so kind to take him in. I'd post on social media however chances are he's a stray and is a very lucky boy to have found you.

Do you know what you're going to name him?

Blueeyedmale · 29/12/2023 13:05

No advice but well done for taking him in he's an absolute cutie

AutumnComfort · 29/12/2023 13:05

My cat went missing and came back in a very sorry looking state (and injured by another animal - possibly the reason she disappeared in the first place). We had been looking for her constantly and the first thing we did was to take her to the vet for antibiotics/ painkillers. She was also starving when she came back.

Escapetunnelalmostcomplete · 29/12/2023 13:06

inigomontoyahwillcox · 29/12/2023 12:34

I'd take the social media post down - as others have said, he's not been looked after well at all if he's not neutered or chipped (charities will do this for free if you're low income, so no excuse). If you can provide it with a good home and be a responsible owner and get it neutered and chipped then go for it.

Or he got out and got lost a while ago, hence being underweight. The only responsible thing to do is make reasonable efforts to find the owner, so that OP can keep the cat with a clear conscience if no one comes forward. A cat that friendly has had a home at some point. You can't just decide someone else is unfit to own a cat and keep it.

Potentialmadcatlady · 29/12/2023 13:09

Inarightpickleandpreserve · 29/12/2023 12:15

I’m not stealing a cat! The weather has been absolutely awful and I couldn’t bear the thought of him being outside it’s been horrible rain and wind here. Really stormy.

have put pictures up on socials including facebook and we will look after him until someone comes forward.

what age would someone normally neuter a boy cat? Is it likely to have been done before 10 months?

Should have been neutered and chipped by now OP. And if he underweight at 10months then that not good either. The cat distribution factory appears to have chosen you.
I guess the vet checked for fleas etc? You will need to restart his vacs in a couple of weeks time when you get him settled and his weight up a little.

Original poster
Inarightpickleandpreserve · 29/12/2023 13:09

I will make a decent effort to find out if he has a family and have put pics on Facebook and IG and will see what happens from there. If it is someone’s beloved pet then he has to be returned of course he has. Until then we will look after him.
I think he’s very relieved not to be outside as it is torrential downpour and high winds here

OP posts:
Sera1989 · 29/12/2023 13:10

arewedoneyet · 29/12/2023 13:02

I think if he was previously owned by someone who for whatever reason wasn't able to meet his needs it's better for him he stays with Op not be returned to continue to not have his needs met

Show quote history

I do definitely agree that he shouldn't be in a home where he is abused or neglected. But I think the only sign of neglect mentioned is that he's very skinny, which could have happened from trying to live outside for a while. IMO he looks quite smart, my own cats have dirtier/scruffier faces 🙈

arewedoneyet · 29/12/2023 13:11

I just think if he was anyone's valued pet he'd have been neutered / microchipped

Santaisscouringindeedfornewjob · 29/12/2023 13:17

The dcat my dd found had a loving owner.. She didn't drive as was disabled and he wasn't chipped or neutered as she didn't want to put people out asking he be taken back and forwards to the vet. She was very emotional when dd took him home. You don't know other people's circumstances..

Mygosh · 29/12/2023 13:19

AHH, he's cute. I honestly believe that if someone loved and cared for the little man, he would be neutered and chipped. Be very cautious if an 'owner' does come forward. Apparently people look for animals to abuse on social media. If you have a local cats protection it might be worth asking them for advice.

Also be careful letting him outside until he is neutered. If he gets the scent of a female, he will be off searching.

Newuser75 · 29/12/2023 13:20

StBrides · 29/12/2023 12:55

Don't take the posts down for goodness sake 🙄

He could be someone's house cat who got out and as a house cat, there could be valid reasons why he had not yet been chipped. He could also have been living stray for a while.

When a cat goes missing, it tears you apart. Op you need to make a concerted effort to find its ow ers -social media and contact local vets & shelters.

Exactly this! The cat isn't yours. Make an effort to find its owner!

ValkyrieAssassin · 29/12/2023 13:22

My understanding was all cats have had to be chipped for a while now? In England anyway. So he would not be vaccinated without being chipped at least.

caringcarer · 29/12/2023 13:22

Thisweeksname · 29/12/2023 12:13

Thanks for taking him in, what a lovely boy ❤️ I doubt he has a home, there are so many stray cats at the moment. Obviously check social media etc but I think he’s yours now OP, enjoy your new cat

If he was in decent condition in winter except a little underweight which can happen within days of a kitten getting lost. You should put a photo of it on the Neighbour site and FB local. You should at least try to find the owner. Put up a few posters of kitten found. This kitty might have a family who are desperately trying to find him.

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