Abandoned cat taken in - what to do about letting him outside??

movinghelp

So my boyfriend found an abandoned cat outside his office with a note saying his owner was too old to look after him. Knowing how crowded sanctuaries are because of the recession we decided to check with our landlord to see if he would mind us keeping him.

As he was okay with it we took him in (seems very healthy and friendly although obviously a bit nervous for a few days). We want to allow him to go outside but have heard that in a new place you must keep them in for 2 weeks minimum. We did this and this weekend I tried to let him out into our garden (with me so he wouldn't be fearful and with the door open for him to go back inside).

He seemed quite happy wandering around but began hissing at me when I became too close. Eventually I had to pick him up and bring him in as we have no catflap and I had to leave the house but he seemed very upset and kept hissing and went rigid.

He seems happy again now inside and I'm wondering if he really wants to be out at all and what's the best solution.

Any advice?

gettingready

Did you vaccinate/microchip the kitten?

Nice you took him in and gave him a home but...he should not be allowed out if not fully vaccinated/microchipped...

krlyr

Personally I'd say if he's happy indoors, keep him indoors. Far too many dangers for cats to be exposed to unsupervised outside IMO. I won't even get into the whole indoor/outdoor cat debate as it's been done over and over but I think if he's getting stressed outdoors and is happier indoors, then there's no harm in keeping him as an indoor cat. I'd just ensure he has lots of mental stimulation indoors, especially when you're not home, like cat trees/activity centres, interactive toys and so on.

Horseunderwater

movinghelp wrote: »

So my boyfriend found an abandoned cat outside his office with a note saying his owner was too old to look after him. Knowing how crowded sanctuaries are because of the recession we decided to check with our landlord to see if he would mind us keeping him.

As he was okay with it we took him in (seems very healthy and friendly although obviously a bit nervous for a few days). We want to allow him to go outside but have heard that in a new place you must keep them in for 2 weeks minimum. We did this and this weekend I tried to let him out into our garden (with me so he wouldn't be fearful and with the door open for him to go back inside).

He seemed quite happy wandering around but began hissing at me when I became too close. Eventually I had to pick him up and bring him in as we have no catflap and I had to leave the house but he seemed very upset and kept hissing and went rigid.

He seems happy again now inside and I'm wondering if he really wants to be out at all and what's the best solution.

Any advice?

Any cat needs time to explore its new home and settle in, they will go out when they feel like they want to. 2 weeks is hardly anytime at all. Just let him be and encourage him to get to know you - there is no hurry to pop him out. Get a litter tray and give him somewhere to go to the loo, feed him and give him water and stroke him, miaow at him when he miaows at you and all will be well in due course.

movinghelp

The note said he's been microchipped and vaccinated and he's seven. There was quite a lot of details.. We are happy to have him in he has a litter tray and water/food, he's really fallen on his feet to be honest. My boyfriend loves cats and has been treating him to mince and sausages. He gets lots of cuddles and loves sleeping on the end of the bed and cuddling on the sofa. I really don't understand how anyone could leave him in a cage by the bins..

Only reason I thought we should let him out is at is seems cruel to keep him in but you're right I think he is quite happy. Not sure about the activity centre suggestion he seems to sleep most of the time but we have set up nests for him at different levels (top of the wardrobe, bookshelves etc) and he seems quite happy leaping about.

gettingready

Oh, he is 7 years not months? Not sure why I thought it was a kitten, sorry

He may be chipped but the chip will have previous owner's address/details on it so you will need to change it.

The note from someone who left him in a cage by the bins? Would not trust that, sorry...

Photo of the lucky cat?????

rising_from_the_ashes

Awwwwww glad he's landed on his feet!:D

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about letting him out if he's not fussed about it - they're all different.

Big cat generally goes out when I get up and usually stays out until I get home from work - unless the weather's terrible in the morning in which case he doesn't bother! He has a shelter for if the weather turns when he's out.

Wee cat hardly goes out at all - maybe 1/2 an hour if that!

valeriej43

It is good he/she was left with you,poor thing, maybe the cat is frightened of going out in case its left out again, or might have been used to being an indoor cat, Inside or outside, if in an enclosed garden where it can be watched might be ok, but i prefer indoors these days,too much cruelty going on for my liking, better safe than sorry, if the cat is happier keep it inside, must be feeling very insecure just nowI dont know how anyone can dump a cat/animal,

Dex

I'd be tempted to take the animal into the vet and get it checked out, they will be able to scan it and confirm the micro chip but I;m not sure you'll be able to change it without the code you get when you originally get them done. It seems a lot of effort to have gone to and yet not take the cat to a shelter i'd be tempted to get the vet to contact the previous owner to check that they indeed meant to rehome the cat, this may help you get the chip changed over. I;m sure everything is as it seems it just seems a little strange to me... maybe because I could never do that to my boys

The two cats I currently have are outdoor but I tried to keep them in until last summer as I lost my two previous cats on the same road and I was terrified they'd get run over but they wanted out and I gave in and they're much happier. The cat will tell you what it wants and if it's happy to be in, keep it in. Be aware though there's likely to be more damage if you keep them inside from scratching so worth getting a scratching post and keeping an eye especially as you're in a rented house. Though that really depends on the cat too

movinghelp

No pic but he is a lovely long haired tabby in very good nick. He is seven years yes, if he was a kitten we may have taken him to a shelter (more likely to be able to re-home but not sure how popular older cats are).

The note definitely meant to take him in or someone take him to a shelter, he was left outside an office block and they clearly didn't want him back. This is another reason why we are worried about letting him out as he may try to find his way back to his old house. I'm starting to think maybe he doesn't have a chip, will think about going to a vet but he's terrified of the cat carrier so will have to see.

My family cat goes out a lot but that was in the country, in the city I think it may be a bit too dangerous here in London. Anyway just going to look at it as a positive as he's lovely company even if it does mean we won't be able to be as spontaneous.

Good ideas on the scratching post and thanks to everyone else as well.

gettingready

It really does not matter if he does or does not have a chip as a chip with previous owners address and details will be useless to you if he goes missing now so trip to the vets for scanning/changing details is a must.

Aso, the owners adress will be on the chip so will give you some idea how far from you they live and if the cat may want to try to go back.