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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Owner died cat alone

98 replies

ParsnipPuree · 12/05/2025 21:33

Horrible situation.. a lady died unexpectedly in her flat and her poor cat had been with her for three days without food when it was found. I’ve phoned all the rescues and they’re full with waiting lists. We’ve spoken to the owner’s family who don’t want it. The police have taken it to the vet who can only have it short term. I have two cats who are territorial and would make its life a misery.

does anyone know what happens in these situations? It’s such a cuddle bug.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 12/05/2025 21:35

Could the Cinnamon Triust help?

CatGuardian · 12/05/2025 21:42

Yes the Cinnamon Trust may be your best bet. They look after pets for older and unwell people or I think those who die with no one to take their pets. Look them up and give them a call.

CaptBirdsEar · 12/05/2025 21:43

Cinnamon trust definitely will help you.

+44 1736 757900

fourelementary · 12/05/2025 21:43

Awww so sad. What area of the UK are you? We might find it a home here…

Original poster
ParsnipPuree · 12/05/2025 21:44

Oh thank you so much! I will try the Cinnamon Trust tomorrow. The cat is in Kilburn in North London.

OP posts:
CatChant · 12/05/2025 22:13

What a sad story. I really hope the Cinnamon Trust can help.

Original poster
ParsnipPuree · 12/05/2025 22:17

Thank you CatChant.. so very sad.

OP posts:
Stopsnowing · 12/05/2025 22:19

Celia Hammond? Battersea?

Original poster
ParsnipPuree · 12/05/2025 22:23

I have a couple more to call tomorrow. I’d love to know what percentage get adopted even if taken by a shelter

OP posts:
splendidpickle · 12/05/2025 22:23

Have you tried the Mayhew? They’re the closest to you. And Celia Hammond are often good at taking in cats even when they're technically full!
It's the busiest time of the year unfortunately, I hope you can find someone to help.

Original poster
ParsnipPuree · 12/05/2025 22:31

splendidpickle · 12/05/2025 22:23

Have you tried the Mayhew? They’re the closest to you. And Celia Hammond are often good at taking in cats even when they're technically full!
It's the busiest time of the year unfortunately, I hope you can find someone to help.

Thanks, I have tried Mayhew they’re full. I will try Celia Hammond tomorrow.

OP posts:
AndWhoShallISayIsCalling · 12/05/2025 23:02

There is a charity run by volunteers and vets in North London who may be able to help called Feline Friends.
www.felinefriendslondon.uk/register-a-cat

Owner died cat alone
JDM625 · 12/05/2025 23:06

I too was going to say Cinnamon trust. My neighbours, in their 80's but very active, were turned down by other rescues when 1 of their elderly cats died. They wanted an older cat. The cinnamon trust helped and their other cat is very happy again.

Original poster
ParsnipPuree · 13/05/2025 11:45

Thank you.. I contacted Cinnamon Trust but they won’t get involved as there are next of kin who must take responsibility. The next of kin have told my dd they have no interest and will have no involvement. I will try Feline Friends thank you, but not looking hopeful.

OP posts:
Mia184 · 13/05/2025 13:07

Please don’t give it away for free as it may end up being used as live bait.

CatChant · 13/05/2025 13:51

How sad the owner would be if she knew her family didn’t care a toss about the fate of her beloved pet. I doubt they are equally disinterested in whatever money she might have had to leave.

My fingers are crossed for this poor puss who must be so bewildered after losing their owner, their home, three days of starvation and now camping out at the vets with all those alien and frightening smells.

Surely somewhere there must be a kind home.

SnowdaySewday · 13/05/2025 14:03

ParsnipPuree · 12/05/2025 22:23

I have a couple more to call tomorrow. I’d love to know what percentage get adopted even if taken by a shelter

If you can get it into a shelter, unless there is something particularly difficult about it’s medical needs, age or temperament, it ought to be rehomable as quickly as any other cat.

My first rescue cat had been brought in for rehoming (WoodGreen Animal Shelter, if you’ve not yet tried them) at closing time on a Friday by neighbours after her owner had passed away. She was mine by Saturday lunchtime. She had been well cared-for, socialised, vaccinated and neutered by her previous owner so I only had to wait them to do her formal health check before releasing her to me.

Snickersnack1 · 13/05/2025 20:34

Would the vet help out by putting a poster in the waiting room?

Get asking on social media - try and find somebody who you know, so you know they won’t mistreat her.

Poor puss. She deserves a new home with somebody who will love her. Breaks my heart when animals end up homeless. Thank you for trying so hard for her OP xx

Wibblywobblybobbly · 13/05/2025 20:38

Try London Inner City Kitties. They particularly specialise in indoor cats which might he helpful here, but they take outdoors cats too. They use fosterers.

WhoAreYouTalkingTo · 13/05/2025 20:57

I had this when my elderly relative got suddenly taken into a care home. Not a single cat rescue would help. I'm severely allergic to cats and so couldn't take it and I was totally stuck driving 50 mile round trips every few days to feed it. Eventually her old friend took it but that was after months.

WhoAreYouTalkingTo · 13/05/2025 20:58

Sorry posted too soon. Have you tried a post on Facebook

Whyherewego · 13/05/2025 21:00

Wibblywobblybobbly · 13/05/2025 20:38

Try London Inner City Kitties. They particularly specialise in indoor cats which might he helpful here, but they take outdoors cats too. They use fosterers.

They ve no space at the moment, I've got a stray that I'm fostering (in London) as none of the rescues have any space right now

maddiemookins16mum · 13/05/2025 21:02

Try Celia Hammond too.

Blazeicecream · 13/05/2025 21:09

Are you allowed to ask on here on the locals ? Pics? Or try to make it obvious online?
As in there must be lots of people on here who could take a cat and statistically it's more likely to be trustworthy.

Cally62 · 13/05/2025 21:25

Ah @ParsnipPuree
Is the cat with you atm.

My neighbour died just over 2 years ago, cat was alone in the house with the body for almost a week.

The police had to break in before the body could be removed. They would have taken the cat to a rescue but I couldn't let that happen.

We have a male cat who was very territorial and a scardy cat who is an indoor cat but goes out on a lead.

It was hard at first with our cat accepting that there was now this strange frightened furball in his space.

They're best friend now. They both sit by the back door waiting to have a harness and lead on before going into the garden and for walks in our small grove.

Is there no way you could try taking this cat in for a while, especially as you say it's cuddly.

My daughter took in a stray a few years ago and when she goes away she brings her cat to stay with my 2. They hate her with a passion but tolerate her in short doses.

I'm way up North or I would have taken it in.

Hoping that you can find a living home for the traumatised kitty.