I think my neighbour stole my cat, now he's at death's door

[StickSeason]

We found our 12 year old tom cat last night after being missing for six months, freezing cold and skeletal, unable to walk.

I've warmed him up, fed him.and cleaned him and am now waiting to see the vet to see if he stands a chance of making it. I can feel every bone in his body and the poor love can barely stand.

We have a neighbour who has quite blatantly stolen another of our cats (yes I know the cat is complicit). She now keeps him in and despite several conversations isn't getting the point he's not hers to feed.

She has some learning disabilities and has a partner or son , not sure which who has been quite threatening in the past so I'm being careful. But I think she may have stolen both cats and left this one it a terrible state. Really not sure what to do. I'm furious and incredibly sad because he's a daft old tom and we've had him and his sister since they were kittens.

RSPCA so far has been useless. Anyone got any advice please?

Agree RSPCA useless - so sorry. I know obviously too late for your cat but can you make a local Cat Protection charity aware of her proclivities? Ask at the vets - the nurse / assistants are usually more aware of local Cat charities where volunteers have guidance on how to query cat welfare, in a non challenging manner. Also, if she's in housing association / Council / privately rented property she may be in breach of tenancy agreements by hoarding cats. I wish you the best in approaching them but unfortunately until sorted, you'll need to keep any cats on the horizon indoors.

@StickSeason did you manage to get your cat back ?

so sorry about your other cat op

Oh my goodness what an awful story to come across op I am so sorry for your loss xxx

I had a really difficult conversation with the neighbour - she's obviously very vulnerable and potentially not able to understand or retain what I said. It seems as if they were feeding the cat that died but hadn't understood how ill he was. Her husband is the one who feels the cats and he wasn't in.
But hopefully they are stopping feeding the cat - he's been back home the last couple of days and I hope it stays that way.
I can't bring myself to keep him in as he's been an outdoor cat all his life but we've checked him over and he looks OK apart from needing flea treatment.

I'm sorry you went through that. It sounds like you have done your best with the neighbours. I couldn't keep my cats in all the time either. Best wishes.