Cat trying to move into my house - advice needed!

Alizarin

Hi all. I need some cat-related advice! Bear with me, this is really really long ...

Me and OH moved house about a year ago. Ever since we moved in we've been aware of a little tabby cat visiting our garden (I assume it's part of his "territory"). He tended to sniff around for a bit then sleep for a few hours on the patio, then move on.

On Friday evening he was hanging around and we had the patio doors open (the living room opens onto the garden) - so, rather stupidly perhaps, I called him to see if he would come over and say hi. He did, and was really affectionate and friendly. He ventured into our living room for few minutes then went back outside and after a while he moved on.

On Saturday morning I was hanging out the washing and heard a meow. I saw that the cat was poking his head under our garden gate, so I said hello and over he ran. He spent a few hours hanging around the garden and went inside a few times.

Eventually I had to pick him up and put him back outside and shut the door as OH was complaining that he was moulting everywhere (OH is allergic to large quantities of cat hair). The cat looked really sad sat outside and I could see (but not hear) him meowing. I felt so guilty that I shut the curtains so I couldn't see his sad little face . When I checked a few hours later he had gone.

On Sunday afternoon me and OH were sitting in the living room watching TV with the patio doors open when we heard a little bell and saw the cat walk inside. He was being really affectionate again and after about 10 minutes he lay down on the floor and watched TV with us.

I once again had to 'kick him out' in the evening so I could make dinner and hoover up all his fur! This time he was really reluctant to leave, and for a few hours every time I looked outside he was still sitting on the patio looking in and meowing.

OH came to bed at 2am this morning. He woke me up so I got up to look out the window, and the cat was sat on a bit of roof outside our bedroom window. At 5am I was woken up by him meowing . I had to close the window so he wouldn't keep us awake but I felt really guilty again.

This morning when I left for work (8am) the cat came running out of the park behind our house and kept meowing at me again when I was trying to leave. At one point he tried to get into my car!

Any idea why the cat is acting like this? I haven't given him any food, but could it be that he has run away from home and is hungry? His address is on a tag round his neck (other end of the town we live in) - should I go to his house and check if his owner has seen him? I don't know what to do!!! Me and OH are dog people and have no experience of cats, so no idea if this is normal cat behaviour.

Please help! I can't stand seeing his sad little face and hearing his little meows and not knowing what to do!

bluebeary

hes owned you im afraid and youve even taken a photo of him

has he got a collar and tag on at all, open it and see where he came from

xsunnysuex

Alizarin wrote: »

His address is on a tag round his neck (other end of the town we live in) - should I go to his house and check if his owner has seen him?

That is exactly what I think you should do. Is your town a big town? If it is this lovely lil fella could have a heartbroken family looking for him. He is handsome that's for sure.

Mrs_Z

Could it be that the cat used to live at the address before? You say that he's got a tag with address pointing to another part of your town, maybe it's taken him 'til now to find his way back to his old house???

I'd contact the owner, but it looks as though that cat has chosen to stay with you.....

spike7451

I gather most cats have at least one 'unnofficial' home where they can eat & sleep...Good luck,you've been adopted.Welcome to cat slavery!

CheeseCat

I must say I don't agree with those saying he is now 'your cat'! you even know who his rightful owner is from his tag...

I would go there and ask them about him - if he is from quite far away i'd agree he might be lost or his family might've previously lived in your area so he's returning 'home'.

Is there a number on the tag so you can call the owner for a chat?

Alizarin

xsunnysuex wrote: »

That is exactly what I think you should do. Is your town a big town? If it is this lovely lil fella could have a heartbroken family looking for him. He is handsome that's for sure.

Our town isn't too big but I get the impression that he stayed near our house all night last night so not sure if he would have gone home at all!

If he's hanging around tonight when I get home, I'll drive round to his owner's house and check with them. Hopefully he has been eating there as usual - I guess I'll talk to the owner and see what we need to do. I'm happy for him to visit as long as he hasn't run away from home!

Alizarin

CheeseCat wrote: »

Is there a number on the tag so you can call the owner for a chat?

No, no phone number, but there is an address and surname (I assume it's a surname rather then the cat's name - wouldn't make a very good name for a cat!). I've tried directory enquiries but either the name isn't his owner's surname, or they are ex-directory.

CheeseCat

Oh thats a shame there is no number. I think a visit would be great though to make sure the little lad isn't slightly lost. Is his home far from you?

One of my cats is a super friendly little lad - I imagine he'd probably do the same if he were lost, he'd find a cat-friendly family to befriend and i'd be beside myself with worry!! (Luckily he doesn't venture far now.. but he has made best friends with the postman and the lady who cleans the entrances to our buildings )

Let us know how you get on. (I wish I could see the photo of him but its blocked here!)

spike7451

Hopefully he's chipped.Ask on Purrs or Cat chat,the may be a member in your area with access to a chip reader.

KiKi

If you can go to the address to find out, that would be great. Then as the other poster suggests, see if he's chipped. If he doesn't belong at the address on the tag, and isn't chipped, put up some notices and notify vets in case he used to live where you are and they've moved house and he's found his way home. (Unlikely, though - if he's still looking good after a year of being homeless.)

If you can't find his owner, you could always take him in...not all cats moult loads, and if you brush regularly hopefully your OH won't be too allergic...

He looks well fed and looked after, though, so if you put notices up around your roads, you may find his owner will call you to confirm he has a home.

KiKi