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Adopting neighbours' cat

6 replies

GBooArt · 26/04/2025 10:21

Our neighbours will be moving away soon. Due to age and health concerns, they are not able to take their cats with them. Their cat, has always been in and out of our house. He's absolutely adorable, and we are more than happy to adopt him.

My question is, how do I go about settling him in, and making him realise that he now lives here rather than next door? Would it be a good idea to keep him inside for several weeks once the neighbours leave? We have another cat already. They get on surprisingly well. In fact the neighbours' cat is the only other cat that my cat will tolerate. The two of them together have often tried to chase away 'enemy cats' that come into the garden!

Any advice gratefully received. Thank you!

OP posts:
LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 26/04/2025 10:26

Yes, I think keeping him in for a week or two would be a good idea. If he is in and out of your house anyway, and gets on with your cat, he should settle well, and easily...

How lovely of you to adopt him! 😍

thecatneuterer · 26/04/2025 17:34

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 26/04/2025 10:26

Yes, I think keeping him in for a week or two would be a good idea. If he is in and out of your house anyway, and gets on with your cat, he should settle well, and easily...

How lovely of you to adopt him! 😍

Seconded, on both points.

Perkuppaige · 26/04/2025 17:39

That made me smile hearing how your cat gets on with the neighbours. My very shy rescue cat adopted a homeless cat that use to regularly frequent our garden - after several months, homeless cat moved in too of his own accord 😄

Doesn’t sound like you’ll have many problems OP with him adjusting 😊

myplace · 26/04/2025 17:41

I’d ask the new neighbours to make a special effort at keeping him out, too. Just for clarity.

GBooArt · 28/04/2025 00:52

Thanks for the advice and kind words, everyone. Love the story of your homeless cat, @Perkuppaige!

OP posts:
SecondVerseSameAsThe1st · 28/04/2025 06:26

I love hearing about others taking in animals in need. I’ve always adopted stray cats that seem to find me and they in turn have brought me joy. OP, the neighbour’s cat will know who is feeding him and he’ll be 100% yours in no time. 😻

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