Found cat - what on earth to do...

mystra

moggymutt wrote: »

Timbear, much as you may be annoyed by people feeding a cat in their garden, people doing precisely that have kept many unwanted cats from dying. We've taken in cats beyond the point of help because people thought that they 'shouldn't' feed a cat that appears in their back garden. We've taken in many cats fed by people who've not been their 'owners' and thats the only thing that's been keeping the cat alive. Taking a chance that the cat is already being fed by someone else can be like playing Russian Roulette with the cats life.

Mystra, not read all this thread, but well done. (Cat spayed I hope)

She's not spayed yet - after spending a small fortune on the tests/xrays etc we're a bit short for a couple months - but she is kept indoors anyway so not danger there - but will be getting it done asap.

moggymutt

Mystra, I understand totally about the money you've already spent. Try any of your local charities and see if they can help. The RSPCA and Cat Protection usually only help people on benefit (which I think is wrong), but occaisionally they are more generous.

(Wish you were in my area, we do free/donation only cat neuring that is non means tested- I'll PM you if that sort of thing is possible on this forum)

gettingready

Mystra - you are in SE London?

How far are you from Lewisham?

There is Celia Hammond branch in Lewisham, another one in Canning Town, very close to the station:

http://www.celiahammond.org/


http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=17&MMN_position=24:24

LONDON ~ LEWISHAM BRANCH
Neuter Clinic And Rescue Centre
233-235 Lewisham Way, Lewisham, SE4 1UY

Clinic Tel: 020 8691 2100
Rehoming/Rescue Tel: 0208 694 6545
Email: [EMAIL="lewisham@celiahammond.org"]lewisham@celiahammond.org[/EMAIL]

Do not email, they never reply to emails - do call them though

VERY cheap vet care, you do not have to be on any benefits - and they will DEFINITELY help with neutering

Their normal prices:

http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=5&MMN_position=42:42

Female spay £25.00
Microchip £10.00

mystra

gettingready wrote: »

Mystra - you are in SE London?

How far are you from Lewisham?

There is Celia Hammond branch in Lewisham, another one in Canning Town, very close to the station:

http://www.celiahammond.org/


http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=17&MMN_position=24:24

LONDON ~ LEWISHAM BRANCH
Neuter Clinic And Rescue Centre
233-235 Lewisham Way, Lewisham, SE4 1UY

Clinic Tel: 020 8691 2100
Rehoming/Rescue Tel: 0208 694 6545
Email: [EMAIL="lewisham@celiahammond.org"]lewisham@celiahammond.org[/EMAIL]

Do not email, they never reply to emails - do call them though

VERY cheap vet care, you do not have to be on any benefits - and they will DEFINITELY help with neutering

Their normal prices:

http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=5&MMN_position=42:42

Female spay £25.00
Microchip £10.00

oh wow that's very cheap, she was originally booked in with them but we got more worried about getting her checked over with her legs so took her to the local vets to get that seen too, and cancelled the appointment with Celia Hammonds. Wasn't sure whether they still would now that we're keeping her rather that looking after what we thought was someone else's lost cat. thanks for the info

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

And if you're actually in receipt of benefit, some vets are part of a scheme where they will neuter for between £0 and a tenner.

Fire_Fox

TimBear wrote: »

Have to say, this annoys me a bit! Two of our cats have been 'adopted' by neighbours who must have thought they were strays and started to feed them. The cats are now living there permanently.

My dad's a vet and says this is really common. I just don't understand it! If you 'found' a dog, you wouldn't just keep it? If the cat's in good condition (not obviously starved, coat looking well etc), then it's very likely they have a home and have just wandered.

Sometimes we don't see the cats that do still live at home for a couple of days (there's a cat flap so possible they come in the house during working hours to eat), but that doesn't mean they're strays or not cared for!

Mystra that wasn't aimed at you, sorry if you thought it was an attack. Honestly, it wasnt - I think you've done so much for that cat and it's obvious you care and you've tried to locate the owners, which I admire you for.

It's people who don't go to such lengths but just start feeding an unknown cat and when the cat keeps coming back assume it's homeless and take it on - that's what annoys me!

Bazster only said what they did after acknowledging "I think you've done everything you can" - you don't know Bazster didn't do much the same. 'Stealth catnapping' is a lot less likely if the cat is microchipped and wears a quick release collar so it's obvious they are owned. Even if they only wear the collar with a couple of days it should be enough to be seen, or the owner can use a paper collar with a note on to the prospective family. It's also less likely if the cat has somewhere cosy to go at any time, it seems to happen more with cats that are shut out (not saying yours were), cats that don't like the other pets or children in the household.

Homeagain

I was forced to adopt an abandoned and abused kitten when I lived in Africa; she was apparently barely two weeks old. I had no choice but to take her home (she was being literally kicked around by children in the street). I searched for the Mother but couldn't find her (which was just as well given the life expectancy of a 'street' cat). Anyway, to cut it short, we took her home, found a vet (not easy) and was told she would not live, too young, battered and bruised. However with a whole lot of care (i.e feeding every two hours - even through the night), I was rewarded with the best cat in the whole world. Prior to Lucy, cats were seriously not my scene. I had to leave Africa and return home and my best decision was not to take Lucy with me. She now has the best life; has retained her position as 'boss of the world', despite her new owners having two Labradors (totally in awe and scared of her) and boy do I miss her! I get regular updates and photos but she took a piece of my heart. I say to the OP, keep her! I have heard it say that cats find you, you don't find them. You are doing a great job, I guess she will be just fine.
You sound like really good people, let her stay ... :A

Homeagain

Sorry, but further to my last post, cats don't cost much to feed (although fussy) .. vets bills are a nightmare but hopefully not a regular. Don't be enticed by all the adverts for expensive 'glamour' foods. I couldn't even buy cat food for Lucy at one stage (nothing available) and reverted to dog food/tins of tuna mixed with rice ... she loved it! I was always a bit worried she would start barking though!

HeatherintheHills

mystra wrote: »

oh wow that's very cheap, she was originally booked in with them but we got more worried about getting her checked over with her legs so took her to the local vets to get that seen too, and cancelled the appointment with Celia Hammonds. Wasn't sure whether they still would now that we're keeping her rather that looking after what we thought was someone else's lost cat. thanks for the info

Celia Hammond's will still do the neutering, especially as you have given a stray a home.