Possible Stray Cat Advice Please

spookylukey

Good on you for caring about this little cat

Whilst I think the paper collar and making him a temporary shelter is a good idea I also think that if he does turn out to be genuinely homeless and neither you or your neighbour are in a position to take him in then it would be kinder on him long term to try and find him a home. Whilst the weather isn't too bad he's probably doing OK fending for himself and being fed by your neighbour but it'll be winter soon and what would happen if he became sick or injured with no owner to take him to the vets.

Sadly the vast majority of cat rescue places will more than likely be full and only taking in emergencies but you can ask to get him put on the waiting list. Click on the map to find a list of rescues in your area - http://www.catchat.org/adoption/index.html

Good luck with him and thank you for caring

Fire_Fox

Many domestic cats are fine outdoors most of the year but they need a good quality shelter in the winter months and basic vet care year round. Truly feral cats often live in colonies and they can really suffer with their health. Anything you can get done for him health wise will be beneficial - de flea, worm, scan for a microchip, see if he is neutered (Cats Protection can help with this). If you explain to the vet he is a stray and you have already contacted some of the rescues they may check him over for free and just charge you for any treatment, especially if they already know you from your dog.

Rescues may be willing to put him on their rehome list but to go straight from your home (shed/ garage) or your neighbours to a new one rather than going into a cattery or foster care. Could you afford to get him, say, the Program injection for fleas? If you could then would the neighbour take him in over the winter?

candykisses

hello, thanks for the lovely replies.

spoke to neighbour today, they aren't really planning to take him in but they are still letting him in their house to eat - they are giving him a tin and a half of cat food each day. they have also bought him a pet igloo, which he doesnt seem to want to go in (maybe just because he's unsure of it) but he does go on their sofa.

i've agreed that i will take him to the vets for a check up - probably only fair if they are paying to feed him. ive got a feeling they might be more keen letting him in if they know he's clear of fleas etc.

anyway, will get my other half to build a shelter too so he has got access to somewhere warm at night.

do a lot of cats normally stay out at night - i'm not really that clued up on cat stuff. i worry more thinking he's shivering in the dark somewhere trying to get to sleep.

tango

My cats are out most nights and do ok, in fact because they are out after their feed they sleep all day inside . Hope all goes well at the vets x

rising_from_the_ashes

I keep my cats in at night but that's my personal preference (lots of cats stay out here so more change of fighting, also accidents seem to happen more at night).

For a cat whose been used to being out, it's normal IYKWIM - as long as they've somewhere warm/dry to shelter from the worst of the weather, a regular supply of food and vet treatment when needed, they do fine.

Excellent news your neighbours are willing to help - and I bet when the winter nights are upon us, he'll be tucked up in their house!;)

scaredy_cat

if you can provide a cosy shelter with an old jumper and cushion in it for the winter, perhaps with a right angle tunnel opening so the wind doesn't get in, he'll be more than happy.

geri1965_2

One of mine is outside 99% of the time, only comes in for food. He has an igloo thing outside which we originally bought for a neighbour's cat but he sleeps in it sometimes. No idea where he is the rest of the time. He can come in any time he likes but choses not to. He was a stray before the rescue place found him. I sometimes think he must have been happy that way.

Fire_Fox

candykisses wrote: »

anyway, will get my other half to build a shelter too so he has got access to somewhere warm at night.

do a lot of cats normally stay out at night - i'm not really that clued up on cat stuff. i worry more thinking he's shivering in the dark somewhere trying to get to sleep.

Domestic cats should not be locked outside at night, most tend to come in at some point especially when it is snowy. Some will of course be out all night at one of their other homes with their other human slaves!

RSPCA Five Freedoms for cared for animals is for them to have shelter and somewhere comfortable. If he has been a pet at some point by far the best outcome would be for him to be a pet again IMO. Think about what you put in the shelter, that the bedding cannot get damp or you change it regularly.

candykisses

hello

the neighbouris continuing to feed him, he goes in her house sometimes but then he wants to go back out. it's pouring down here today and he's sheltering under the big conifer in my front garden.

it was payday today, so i decided to cut back on this months spends and have ordered a mr snugs cat shelter on ebay. it cost £35 and it's like a little igloo which is completely waterproof and windproof. i will put that alongside the conifers with some hay bedding in it - which I can change once a week. hopefully he will use that as a little hideout and can get cosy when he needs to.

doodle-bug_2

Well done you (and your neighbours) for caring for the cat:T

A cat sharing food, shelter and affection will be a happy cat!

I took in a stray 23 years ago - situation very similar to yours. He had an injury and wouldn't stay in the garden if we went out - it took months of leaving food out before he would even entertain the idea of company. We have just lost him last month due to age related issues - we had him 23 years - no idea of his real age!