Worried about a "stray" cat

[scoobysoo]

Hi. I hope somebody can help me with this. I moved into my flat a couple of years ago. On the pavement on the opposite side of the road, I always used to see a pretty little cat, who I'd go over and pet every so often. She seemed little older than a kitten, in good health and very friendly, and I had always assumed that she belonged to whoever lives in the house opposite.I noticed several months ago that cat had seemed to have vanished, and was sad to think she may have died. However, about 3 weeks ago, the cat has returned but her fur is all dirty and matted in places, she's all skin and bones and appears not to be able to hear, but still has the lovely temperament that I fell for 2 years ago. I'm now of the oppinion that she may not live at that house at all, and may be a stray. The logical thing to do would be to knock on the door of that house and ask them, but what if it actually is their cat? I've been secretly feeding her and giving her water, and I worry so much about the poor little thing. I want to take her home and to the vet, and get her well, but I can't very well do that if she is somebody's pet, yet I somehow feel responsible for this sweet little creature's life. What would you do?

[B00]

I wouldn't hesitate to knock on their door I'm afriad, however you are possibly more tactful than me- lol.

How about knocking and asking, and if they say yes it's theirs, put on your best symathetic voice and say something along the lines of "oh I was only asking because it looks like it's been in the wars and I was wondering if it was a stray??" Surely they can't take offence at that?

[Cheekystar]

def go ask - or take her to you nearest vet - is she's local perhaps the vet will recognise her and tell you who owns her

[scoobysoo]

I'll try to pluck up the courage a bit later...I'm just scared of being shouted at!

[sophie_1003]

follow BOOs advice then if her condition doesn't improve ring the RSPCA

[jules77]

I was in a similar situation some years ago, I took the cat in, took it to the vets and took ownership of it. Some months later I went to the doctors and the receptionist asked me how the cat was, it turned out it was her cat, and she knew I had taken it in. She didnt mind, as she said it had run off when she had a puppy, strange though, as I also had a dog! We moved house shortly afterwards and took it with us. So my advice, take it in and look after it if you feel like you want to, as if it looks that bad, the owners obviously dont care anyway.

[tiggerwoo]

Agree with you jules...take it in and to the vets...nobody else seems to be looking after her.I would just have to I'm afraid whether or not I got into trouble. Good luck...and please let us know how it goes.

[scoobysoo]

I phoned the RSPCA this morning, hoping they could investigate, but they basically told me that if the cat is owned, then it is the owner's responsibilty. They asked me to go over the road, ask if it's their cat, and if it was then report it. Talk about incriminate myself!! I don't want to be on the firing line of a p***ed off neighbour! I just don't know what to do!

[ruthiebabie]

Well if it is the people across the roads cat and they are not looking after it then it should be removed from them anyway. You could always try the local cat charities and tell them you have found a "stray" and can they take it in - thereby removing it from the situation it appears to be in.

Alternatively you could take it to your vets - most of them will look at a stray and check for microchipping/flea treatment them for free at the least. If you had it checked and it had a chip it might help determine its owner.

Or alternatively you could adopt it yourself - it obviously needs some help and if no one else is doing it and you have the inclination and cash (vets ain't cheap) to do so then you take it on board.

I can't bear to see animals mistreated and my inclination would be just like yours to take it in and see what I could do.

I use www.mymoggy.com quite a bit - you can find out about strays in your area/missing cats and post details of found cats.

[B00]

Me again!

Have you reached a decision scoobysoo?

PS
I could have told you that the RSPCA would refuse to help, about as useful as chocolate teapots they are!

[scoobysoo]

Hi Boo
I'm on my way over there now...fingers crossed