Social Services?? Cat??

Mittens124

Hi

My next door neighbour was rushed into hospital about a week and a half ago leaving behind his elderly dogs and cat.

The dogs have been picked up by the mans son (i think anyway) but the cat has been left behind.
I'm not sure if the cat can get inside but I know that the son hasn't been back since (about 3 days), I cant feed the cat as there is no access to the garden, I can only see from a bedroom window, it has been sitting in the garden day and night for the last two days meowing.

The cat is about 16 years old and looks to be so hungry.
I phoned the RSPCA and ask if they could do something but they said it is the legal right of the social services to sort the cat out and told me to look it up in the yellow pages I have no idea what or who I am supposed to be looking for, I have tried looking on the internet but still haven't come up with anything.

Has anyone got any ideas??

whatatwit

Try phoning your local council, they should be able to either contact the neighbour's son, or arrange something.

Mittens124

whatatwit wrote: »

Try phoning your local council, they should be able to either contact the neighbour's son, or arrange something.

Thanks, Just trying the council now.

happymummy

Or you could try your local cats protection branch, they might be able to suggest something.

tattycath

Any chance of throwing some cat kind of food into the garden? so the cat can get some nourishment? I know it isn't your responsibility but I hate the thought of animals suffering

Mittens124

tattycath wrote: »

Any chance of throwing some cat kind of food into the garden? so the cat can get some nourishment? I know it isn't your responsibility but I hate the thought of animals suffering

I would but garden is so over crowded, with two massive ponds so if I do the food will most likely end up in the water. I hate hearing it howling for food but there is nothing I can do at the moment.

We managed to phone the social services and they transfered us to the hospital animal dept who are going to look the man up, all we have on him is his address as we don't know him by name. Just waiting for a call back.

Good news as I type this, the hospital has traced him and are going to get his next of kin to go and sort out the cat, they will phone us back tomorrow to see if everything is ok.

greenmoneysaver_2

The social services section to deal with this is usually based from the hospital the person was taken to.

There is a 24hr link to social services for each hospital and on admission should check this stuff, but she may think the son has all the pets.

Through this social services can provide a place in secure kennels and liase with all parties to ensure animals aren't rehomed before a patient can make decisions about their own, and their animals future (often a problem when other charities are called in to what they class as "abandonment").

Good luck, it is all a nightmare of beauracracy!

jess1974

Mittens124 wrote: »

I would but garden is so over crowded, with two massive ponds so if I do the food will most likely end up in the water. I hate hearing it howling for food but there is nothing I can do at the moment.

We managed to phone the social services and they transfered us to the hospital animal dept who are going to look the man up, all we have on him is his address as we don't know him by name. Just waiting for a call back.

Good news as I type this, the hospital has traced him and are going to get his next of kin to go and sort out the cat, they will phone us back tomorrow to see if everything is ok.

I'm sorry i think you should try, the poor cat is obviously starving.

pink_piggy17

That is terrible, if the cat has no food/water/shelter it is the law that the RSPCA can rescue him. Have you tried the cats protection or maybe a local private cat rescue? most of the time the rescues that are run by one or two people do more for animals than the big charities like the RSPCA!

Mittens124

I think the son will be around tonight that's even if he hasn't been around already, the cat has been in hiding most of the day as it has been raining here. But if nothing is done then I will chase it up, the cat is an outdoor cat anyway but I just didnt like the thought of it not having any food. But the son is very much like his father and loves animals so I think he would most proberly leave the back door open for the cat and put some food and water down for it.

spookylukey

Social services do have a responsibility towards the animals... Taken from http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,13631.0.html and http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,16265.0.html

The Protection of Property Service is provided by social care under Section 48 of the National Assistance Act 1948. Under this legislation we have a duty to ensure that action is taken to provide temporary protection of your property if you are:

* admitted to hospital
* or, admitted to residential care arranged by us
* or, removed from your home to any other place under Section 47 of the Act.