Picking up our cat that's been 'missing' for years

[KiffyKiffyKiffy]

Well not missing exactly but we lived at our old address and as our cat got older and we had kids and 2 dogs our cat spent more and more time with our elderly neighbour. We would try and coax him home but he always went back.

The neighbour loved him and spoilt him rotton.

2 years ago we moved house and we tried to catch him a few times to bring him with us but he evaded us. So we went to the neighbours house to ask him to catch him for us. The elderly neighbour said he would like him to stay (his wife and dog had passed away) as he was good company

So over time we check in on him, make sure he doesn't need vet care etc.
Neighbour has our number.

We just stopped by to check in and he asked if we could take him.

Of course!

But I'm worried as he's not seen our dogs in years. He's never been to this home and we have somehow adopted a stray cat here who treats it like his home and is basically out unplanned cat too now.

We are picking him up in an hour and I'm just a bit stressed at how to navigate this!!

We never planned to be apart from him but he chose the neighbour over us and at that time the neighbour really needed him.

Any advice please!

Aw bless I've just read the full thread & it's brought tears to my eyes - what a fantastic cat mum you are. Vader is a lucky boy to have you & to come back into such a loving home. You are doing all you can for your wonderful old boy. He is such a handsome boy. I wish you & Vader all the very best x x x

Hmm. I think you are probably right.

Dh told me something last night that upset me quite a lot.
The old guy doesn't text much so we called in every so often just to check in, but admittedly it had been a while.

When he asked DH if he could take him he said that he didn't have our number anymore and that he was 'at the point where he was going to contact a rescue to take him'

That made me really sad/mad because we were always so clear about taking him at any point.
He could have asked any of our other neighbours who would have our number or be able to contact us on Facebook etc...

I know it's just a 'what if' scenario but it's sad!

The last 2 nights have been much better in terms of him just sleeping and not meowing/wandering/demanding 3am snacks.

It's a process isn't it? He's learning a new way of life/routine and he's getting there slowly. He's done really well TBH, I'm proud of him.

I'm so pleased you got him back OP, so so pleased, you sound like the most lovely lovely person. 😻

I suppose the only solace you can find in the old man/rescue story is that he would have probably been better looked after in a rescue centre's foster home than with the old man. Anyway, no need to dwell on that now, you have got him and he is safe.

Yes it is all new to him, no doubt he will be loving his new life, no fleas, worms and endless love, food and litter tray (s).

Awe thankyou!

So after wandering about upstairs since he got here I just walked into the kitchen to find him sat on the counter top!

Meowing longingly at the window. He quite obviously wanted to go out but I just don't want to let him.

I got him a towel to sit on so he could watch out of the window.

I'm not actually sure he could get out of the garden itself as it's got 8ft walls. Our young cat manages fine by jumping from the windowsill to a ledge.

Having said that he managed to get on the kitchen sides no problem!

Last night his legs did give out when trying to jump from his crate to the bed and he fell :(

He now has a sort of pirate plank to walk across.

My dogs barked at the strange cat a little but soon calmed down.

So, what should I do now that he has ventured downstairs?

Allow him to go out supervised? Or just keep him inside?

You can get rollers that go on top of a fence, so that cats can't jump over them - look up 'cat proof fence'. You might also lead train him? Our old boy took to it really easily and loved it. Bless him, he seems to be settling in really well!

But that would restrict our other cat and would be unfair to him I think.

The garden is tiny and he's used to roaming.

His legs are so bowed, they really are a funny shape when he stands.

There's no indication he's in pain or anything but his back legs do give up a few times a day.

Ah right, I forgot you have another cat! Maybe a catio? I've even seen window-box enclosures for cats, just to let them sit outside and watch what's going on.

When I was looking for a cat at Cats Protection, any cat that was blind and/or deaf had to be indoor only for their safety.

How fast is he? Does he get spooked easily? You could perhaps supervise him outside but personally I wouldn't let him go out on his own. Your garden is new to him and he could easily get disorientated without all his senses to rely on.

Can you go outside with him?
Saying that my old boy LOVED having the window open - he would sit on the windowsill with his head hanging outside but didn't want to actually go out, just sniff the air

His little scrunchy face!!!! 😍
Does he make the little yak yak noise when he sees birds?
Maybe an outside bird feeder you can attach, so he has a birds -eye view (couldn't resist!!!) Or an outside run? I'm being given the evil eye so neeed to close this tab before she sees it!!! 😾

like this!!!

like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Feeders-Detachable-BPYOT-Gardening-Grandparents/dp/B0CBSKTTDH/ref=asc_df_B0CBSKTTDH?mcid=0e6a42c400e935b5922b23287c1e0e15&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696350872245&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13921072789267543779&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9210251&hvtargid=pla-2202985382069&gad_source=1&th=1

The problem with letting him out is that he is deaf and there is no guarantee he could jump or run to safety if his legs give way regularly. The only way is in a harness or making him a personalised catio otherwise you are putting a death sentence on him imho.

Loving the pictures 😍

I would let him out supervised only, unless you're sure he can't jump the fence. He doesn't sound like he'd be safe near roads.

A catio isn't possible. The garden is like 3m x3m with a shed there already. If I put a patio on the back of the house there'd be no garden space at all and there's alot of big pots and plants out there.

I think I will wait a while until it's warmer and start taking him out for 30 mins each day. Just for some air.

A catio isn't possible. The garden is like 3m x3m with a shed there already. If I put a patio on the back of the house there'd be no garden space at all and there's alot of big pots and plants out there.

Some people also enjoy living inside the catio too 😎. A basic catio is a pergola type structure with chicken wire top and sides and possibly a small covered area to keep a cat tree dry. Your pots wouldn't need to be moved unless they contained poisonous plants (doubtful as you already have pets). It's just a secure covering so the floor/garden part can stay the same iyswim.

I adopted a 10 year old with FIV a few years ago. He can't go out due to his own health condition, it's too risky for him. He was obviously used to outdoors and it upset him at first, lots of crying at windows and doors. We ignored or distracted him with play and treats and honestly now I think he's forgotten he used to go out. He needs plenty of play and interaction to keep him happy though!

Another option is a door or window screen https://www.flatcats.co.uk/

You could put a cat tree or a perch by it.

I'm looking at the catio options but DH isn't into it. It would have to he absolutely tiny to work, we have a patch of grass that's just a mud fest and the catio would be in the inly place people can sit. It's not really practical :(

On a funny note, my DS ordered McDonalds and had eyes bigger than his belly so gave me a spare double cheeseburger.

Vader was straight on me and I figured he's old enough to be a little naughty.

He absolutely loved it and ate about a 1/4 of a patty.

DH says I'm on litter tray duty if it goes right through him 🤣🤣🤣

Lord Vader will have his way, your DH will capitulate. I predict slavish devotion, rueful smiles and a hyperfocus on constructing the world's finest mini vertical catio. Then, if Lord Vader wills it, he may flick some burger detritus your husband's way. Then again, maybe not. More photos, please. 😂

My old boy had everything he wanted - how could I resist this face asking for milkshake?!