Neighbour died , two cats left still in house. What can I do!

[Charlotteap]

Hi there my neighbour died a couple month ago and left two cats behind, a relative has been coming barely everyday to feed them but doesn’t seem bothered. I have tried so many rescues and everywhere is saying full and I don’t know what else to do. The relative that visits says in a couple weeks he’s going to have to put them out ! Even though one is a house cat, it’s breaking my heart. I have cats myself or I would take them in myself. One of mine used to have lots of stand offs with the one that goes outside so that isn’t possible.

Any ideas what else I can try?

Thank you

Have you tried cats protection? Or local charities? Ultimately the relative needs to reach out to these charities and say that the cats are now homeless. Do you know anyone that has a spare room where they could foster them for several weeks? Have you tried your local vets too? Could put up a poster in the vets, I'm always seeing these at my vets. You might find a member of staff willing to foster them. Also report them to the RSPCA, as abandoned. If the relative is going to kick them out they are definitely abandoned.

Contact local cat sitters and dog walkers. If they can put a post out on their social media, they often have a network of animal loving followers they can tap into. We managed to rehome a cat in a very similar situation to your neighbours within a few days. In our case, our cat sitter knew the couple directly as they had lost their own cat a few months prior and could vouch they would be good for the cat we needed to rehome.

A friend of mine lost her mum recently and had to find homes for three cats. She made a Facebook post, all of us reposted it. She found homes for them all within a day or two. Could you suggest to the relative that they do this?

Thanks everyone for your replies , the relative really doesn’t seem bothered but these really are two gorgeous cats and will make lovely pets they don’t need to be rehomed together either. I’ve tried cats protection and all local ones! I haven’t got social media but there is lots of dog walkers and cat sitters so thank you for that idea I will ask if they can make a post.

I was hoping that If I agreed to temporary foster one of the local rescues would advertise it on their page and even keep the adoption fee etc. I would then try and make it work keeping them separate , the relative unfortunately hasn’t tried anything to help.

I will report them as abandoned too thank you

So glad they have you looking out for them.

Direct rehoming might be possible, which means the rescue overseeing it don't have to have any room (so many are full):

www.catchat.org/index.php/direct-rehoming-cat

If you put in your area you can see if there are any small local rescues you might not be aware of:

www.catchat.org/index.php/cat-rescue-centres-uk-ireland

Also check if you have a local Facebook group for cat lovers, lost and found cats.

If you want DM me your area, I'll see if I know anyone there who might help. 🤞

I honestly wouldn't report them as abandoned to the RSPCA yet, @Charlotteap. I've volunteered for them and depending on the branch, older cats, especially if they have any health issues, are at risk of being put down. A direct rehoming as you have suggested (and as in my link above) would be safest.

Cinnamon trust?

I didn't know about RSPCA putting animals to sleep. But I was warned out putting 'free animals' on Facebook because people might get them for the wrong reasons (to abuse). I suppose if it's a group then it's safer.

@TryingAgainAgainAgain that’s exactly what I am hoping for I just didn’t know the words. Direct rehoming. I would be willing to take them in and foster, I could perhaps keep them in one part of the house. And a rescue oversees the adoptions. Thank you very much I will dm now.

havent heard of cinnamon trust will look into that too. Thank you

It would be great if they could help. They are amazing.

I've just registered my cat with them so if anything happens to me his future is assured.

Cinnamon Trust are brilliant. They help with care of pets if owners are elderly or terminally ill. They arrange permanent fostering (not adoption because they always keep tabs on pets) of animals whose owners have sadly died.

Not sure where in the country you are but Romney House in Downe are brilliant and wouldn't turn them away.

My Mum's first cat had experienced just this - owner died, son turned them out - she was so terrified when Mum first had her and had obviously had a terrible time of it, so sad.

@Wolfiefan oh how lovely, I’ve just been reading sounds absolutely brilliant. Can’t believe I’ve never heard of them. Wish I knew about them before and I would have signed her up, she was well into her 90s bless her. I will give them a ring first thing. Thank you for the recommendation.

@OnlyOneAdda sorry I should have probably said, I am in Yorkshire so unfortunately other end from there but thank you anyway

They are a bloody awesome charity (used to dog walk for them) You’re pretty awesome yourself for looking out for these poor kitties. Wish I wasn’t the other end of the country or I would offer more practical help.

Thanks everyone for your help, cinnamon trust was very lovely and kind but unfortunately cannot as prior arrangements hadn’t been made before. Luckily I have sorted temporary foster for now so at least they won’t be home alone any more.

thanks again

That's great news. You are a very kind person ❤️

Thank you for caring and helping these poor little cats. Hopefully, eventually they will find a forever home together.

https://petrehomer.org/giving-up-a-cat?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo56Sx5X8hQMV7Ah7Bx0AGgH8EAAYASAAEgLy0vD_BwE

another website to try