Is this cat trying to “adopt” me?

[IfIHadAHeart]

Over the summer, we would sometimes find a cat in the back garden. I think it belonged to the neighbour’s girlfriend as she moved in around the same time we first saw the cat, however she’s since moved out again. We’d sometimes stroke the cat, and on a couple of occasions I caught it sneaking into my kitchen eating the dog’s food. Our dog isn’t used to cats though and chased it out.

For the last week the cat has been crying at the front door every night and trying to get inside when I’ve been taking the rubbish out etc. earlier, my eldest fussed it and the cat followed him all the way to the shop and then back again.

I don’t know for sure who this cat belongs to, but it does feel like it’s trying to adopt us! Will it move on in time?

Cats are opportunist and fickle!😅They will go from house to house eating what's on offer even if they have a home and are well cared for. I say this kindly, please don't givve in to his wiley ways and adopt him as it will just encourage him away from his owners who may believe him to be lost. He could have lots of potential adoptees! People think they're helping esp if the cat looks unwell. In which case people should have them scanned at a vets to see if they belong to anyone. As long as you feed him he will keep returning although I see he's nicking the dogs food so perhaps feeding him isn't the right term! You must have a very patient dog.

I’m not 100% sure who the cat belongs to. I think it was the neighbour’s girlfriend, but she’s moved back out now and the neighbour himself is rather unpleasant to say the least.

I haven’t fed it intentionally, it was during the summer when the patio doors were often open and it would sneak in. I have resisted the requests from my kids to feed it, it looks pretty healthy so presumably it either has an actual home, or we are not the only family it’s trying to claim 😂

I don’t want to steal someone else’s cat, for sure. I will keep an eye on it and if it starts looking like it’s struggling over winter maybe post on the local FB group to see who owns it. I definitely feel it’s trying to manipulate us with cuteness though, picture attached

I actually feel manipulated now OP, puss is absolutely beautiful.

Feed the poor cat. I know people keep saying not to but you can tell if a cat is hungry or really needy like yours sound. We are looking after 2 cats at the moment. One was a similar story to yours op except the neighbour noticed Dd being friendly to this poor cat who seemed unloved and when they moved out, they said we could keep the cat if we wanted.
Another neighbour had 3 cats, they left and left all their cats! So we’re feeding another one and put a shelter in the garden for it. A couple of other neighbours are feeding the others.

If neighbour's girlfriend has left it behind, have you asked the neighbour if he is now taking care of it and is it microchipped to him or her? I'd be concerned they've both just abandoned it and it's now neglected.

With winter setting in you can't just leave the cat in this limbo, especially as its showing signs of being hungry and lonely.

If you don't want to speak to neighbour you can take cat to a vet and at least check for microchip. Vet will contact person listed and it can go from there. If neighbour & ex girlfriend don't want it then you can at least try to see if a shelter will take cat in. Sounds friendly so a fairly easy rehome. Or keep it and work on dog accepting it!