Found a small black & white cat in Cardiff

evilsheep

Morning all

We've taken in a small black and white cat who spent most of yesterday mewing and scratching at our front door. Before I get accused of 'cat thieving', I'd like to point out that we only took it in after the wind and rain picked up, and it became distressed.

I've no idea how old he/she is, but I'd guess only a few months? S/he's a very placid, affectionate animal , and seem to be in very good condition. I've posted some messages on other 'lost cat' forums, and will be taking it to the vet tomorrow to see if s/he has been microchipped.

Should I call the RSPCA emergency helpline? Or is that only for reporting cruelty and such things? Is there anything else I can do on a Sunday to help him/her return to his/her owner?

Fran

I don't think you would gain anything from ringing RSPCA as you are saying it's in good condition. You could ask at some neighbours, perhaps other cat owners would be more aware of the cats in the area. Post in local shops perhaps?

InDebted2U_2

Why not print off some 'found cat' posters and stick them up around your local area (in poly pockets, to keep them waterproof)? That's what people seem to do when they lose a pet.

Also, maybe let local police station know you've found a cat and are willing to look after it until owner turns up. That way, if the owner happens to report it missing to the police then you can be linked up, and no concerns about 'cat-napping'!

flutterbyuk25

You could take it to the local vet/RSPCA and they can scan him/her to see if they have a microchip, and if so will be able to reunite it with its owner.

x

PasturesNew

Put a big clear, plain "CAT FOUND" note in your front window/on your wall.

I don't know if Red Dragon FM radio do any reading out of community messages, worth a look.

It probably hasn't come from far. I'd knock on some doors.

If you're down the Bay I'm not surprised kitty's lost ... it all looks the same down there!

evilsheep

Thanks for the tips. As I said in the first post, I'll be taking it to the local vet tomorrow to have it scanned. I've scoured all of the online 'lost pet' websites, posted 'found cat' messages, left a message with the cat protection people, and have just started on a poster which I'm going to attach to some trees (most of the streets around me are tree-lined) - and I'll be attaching the posters with string, not nails.

The first thing I did yesterday was knock around the neighbours, but none have seen her (I think it's a she-cat) before. I'm in the Heath area, so a lot of the houses do look similar, but not quite as uniform as the Bay! She refuses to go outside - I've tried plonking her in the garden, and outside the front door, but she's not happy with this at all, and dives straight back in. She also doesn't like being alone in a room, and follows me and OH about, or goes to sleep nearby. I know very little about cat behaviour, so this is probably normal. I'm slightly concerned that she's been dumped. Maybe she's at the spaying age, and her owners decided she'd cost them too much money, and so just dropped her off on my street?

As I said, I'm a cat novice. I need to get the situation sorted soon though, as I'm growing attached to her! It'll be horrible saying goodbye at this rate ...

evilsheep

Right then.

Cat has visited the vet, and is sadly not chipped (the vet couldn't understand why people don't chip their animals either). No-one's reported her missing there, so I've been given a nice long list of local vets to ring around.

It seems she's not that young a cat after all - could be up to 5 years old apparentlly! The vet said that she is very petite though, and quite skinny, and could well be a house-cat as she's so reluctant to go outside. And she's definitely female.

Guess I'll toddle off to the 'Pets' board to hunt down some tips for money-saving cat food for the moment!