Cat Left Out in Snow

geri1965_2

What I forgot to mention in my post was that we also got a cat kennel, as neighbour's cat no 1 was too dim to use the catflap, and we wanted to make sure he had somewhere sheltered if we were out and his own family were away (as we started using the shed for something else).

http://www.thepetexpress.co.uk/cats-comfort-and-bedding/cats-comfort-kennels-housing-and-pens/mr-snugs-outdoor-cat-kennel?gclid=CLaalK6I-LQCFW_KtAod0H8AQA

Although he is long gone now, we have since got another cat who uses it sometimes.

LittleMax

Thank you for all the posts, it's really helpful to get other ideas and opinions. I think we will build a shelter which he can use if he wants to, and see how much he actually uses it. Despite the owners that have said otherwise, I'm afraid I still don't believe any cat chooses to stay out in the cold 24/7. My cats have always had the freedom to come and go as they please, and without fail they choose to be in (usually on our bed) on winter nights.

flea72

gettingready wrote: »

Jesussssssssssssssssssssssss - what a total utter c..p to say

I'm just pointing out that it isn't the ops cat, so why encourage it unless they plan on looking after the cat totally. Cats will go wherever they get food, so by feeding the cat they are encouraging it to stay

As the owner of a cat that is easily led by neighbours who think its ok to let my cat enter their house and feed it, with me spending hours roaming the streets trying to find her because she's failed to come home, fearing the worst, to find her tucked up in front of their fire. It's blimin annoying.

I'm sure the OP would be heartbroken, if a neighbour started enticing her own cat away, just because it sat outside their door, looking pitiful. Let's not forget this is someone else cat. The op has stated its not ill or underfed, so,why does she feel the need to step in?

flea72

LittleMax wrote: »

Thank you for all the posts, it's really helpful to get other ideas and opinions. I think we will build a shelter which he can use if he wants to, and see how much he actually uses it. Despite the owners that have said otherwise, I'm afraid I still don't believe any cat chooses to stay out in the cold 24/7. My cats have always had the freedom to come and go as they please, and without fail they choose to be in (usually on our bed) on winter nights.

So report the owners for neglect if you dont think a cat should be outdoors 24/7. Or offer to take him off their hands if they are such bad owners. I'm betting their first response will be, oh so that's where he keeps sloping off To, when you say you feed him and have built a shelter

Seeing as you choose to ignore everyone who disagrees with you,, or suggestions on what to do to make the cat go away, then go ahead and steal someone else's pet. I just hope it doesn't happen to you one day.

LittleMax

flea72 wrote: »

As the owner of a cat that is easily led by neighbours who think its ok to let my cat enter their house and feed it, with me spending hours roaming the streets trying to find her because she's failed to come home, fearing the worst, to find her tucked up in front of their fire. It's blimin annoying.

I'm sure the OP would be heartbroken, if a neighbour started enticing her own cat away, just because it sat outside their door, looking pitiful. Let's not forget this is someone else cat. The op has stated its not ill or underfed, so,why does she feel the need to step in?

I am sorry that your cat chooses to visit other people, as others have pointed out you never really own a cat they own you. If my own cat were to choose to live with a neighbour, I would be sad, and question what they offered that I didn't, but it would be her choice and if she was happy and well looked after, and the neighbour was happy with it then that would be fine.

However the cat in question is not in someone's house all warm and cosy. Should the owners come looking for him they will easily find him, he is always outside.

LittleMax

Well last night we sorted out a cardboard box and sealed up the flaps leaving a small hole. Inside was a piece of carpet and a couple of old pillows. We stood it on another flattened box for extra insulation and placed under our carport where we know this cat shelters sometimes. I saw him in it when I went out to the bin last night. With temperatures dipping to -5 c last night, I am pleased to have offered him somewhere a bit warmer. So sad that this is the best he can find.

Frugalista

LittleMax wrote: »

you never really own a cat they own you.

The above is usually quoted by those trying to steal someone elses' pet. I can assure you I own both my cats and have the paperwork, receipts, microchips and vet records to prove it.

LittleMax wrote: »

If my own cat were to choose to live with a neighbour, I would be sad, and question what they offered that I didn't, but it would be her choice and if she was happy and well looked after, and the neighbour was happy with it then that would be fine.

Yeah! Right! I wonder if you would be as magnaminous if you also heard that the chosen neighbour was telling everyone what a cruel and nasty person you were - obviously, you must be, as your cat can't wait to get away from you!

LittleMax wrote: »

However the cat in question is not in someone's house all warm and cosy. Should the owners come looking for him they will easily find him, he is always outside.

LittleMax wrote: »

Well last night we sorted out a cardboard box and sealed up the flaps leaving a small hole. Inside was a piece of carpet and a couple of old pillows. We stood it on another flattened box for extra insulation and placed under our carport where we know this cat shelters sometimes. I saw him in it when I went out to the bin last night. With temperatures dipping to -5 c last night, I am pleased to have offered him somewhere a bit warmer. So sad that this is the best he can find.

No. What is really sad is that you have spent plenty of time on here trying to justify deliberately enticing someone elses' cat, whilst slagging off his (assumed) owners and telling us what you "belive" they would say.

You have even spent time constructing a shelter for him. How long would it take to actually contact his owners to tell them of your concerns and gather some facts? You have said their house backs onto yours so its hardly putting yourself out, is it?

Put a paper collar on his neck with your contact details.
Walk round to their house with the cat and establish if he is actually theirs.
Call over the back fence if you see them in the garden - you seem to spend a lot of time "sticky-beaking" anyway. If you can monitor their cats' movements 24/7, I feel sure you will spot them at some point.

Why haven't you contacted the owners if you are so concerned?

Why haven't you contacted the RSPCA/Cats Protection if you are so concerned?

Mrs_Z

Well, I think the cat’s actions speak for himself. Either it does not want to stay in (for whatever reason, could be badly treated or kicked about) or the owners chuck him out in all weathers. The OP is trying to help and in no way do I see from her posts that she has anything other than the cat’s welfare in mind. So well done you OP!!!I actually ended up kidnapping someone’s cat. The cat belonged to someone in a housing estate and was out in all weathers. Always first to come to the office and last to leave. It used to break my heart having to throw her out on Friday evenings, not knowing is she would be let in at all or if she would be spending the nights under parked cars. And this was during winter.Then I heard that her owner had been taken to hospital. We had no knowledge if any care arrangements had been made for her. Then on one Friday morning she came to the office and was very wet, it was clear she had been outside all night. She spent the day on the floor by the radiator. At that point I decided that enough was enough. I could not stand it any longer and that the cat would come with me for the weekend. I put a note through the owners letterbox, telling them that I was concerned about the cat’s welfare and I had taken her, and to contact me at the office the following week. I heard nothing until Wednesday the following week, when the owner’s father came to see me with a tin of catfood and asked if I wanted to keep the cat. I obviously said yes, although I did not really want another cat. We had 2 already which did not get on and I did not want to add another one. However, the overriding factor for me was the cat’s welfare and 10 years on, the cat is still with us. So shoot me.

Frugalista

LittleMax wrote: »

I've never seen his owner but know if I asked them about him, they would tell me he likes been out

LittleMax wrote: »

They live on a different street to me, our back gardens adjoin, but I have never seen them to speak to. I wouldn't have a pretext to knock, and I am sure they would only tell me that he likes to be out all the time.

Mrs_Z wrote: »

I put a note through the owners letterbox, telling them that I was concerned about the cat’s welfare and I had taken her, and to contact me

BINGO!!!!!

Spot the difference!

moggies

barnaby-bear wrote: »

http://theverybestcats.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/how-to-make-outdoor-cat-shelter.html

I looked at buying one small wooden dog kennel £54-00,+special fitted padded interior £39-00,and plastic flaps door same as in factory doors £11-99 this was in a local well known pet store,it was for outdoor cats to keep warm in this winter.

Well I looked online I think it is Zooplus ,and for the price of two cat kennels+2 padded interiors+2 flaps door, I was able to get both for a total of £114 ,delivered to my door free,which was going to cost me in local pet store for one kennel and extras £105 each +plus I would have had to paid to get a taxi home £10.

So I put both kennels out before xmas for any outdoor cats left out or homeless ,plus daily food ,thats along with my own 6 kitty`s to feed plus 5 rescued bunnies and 4 rescued guinea pigs and one dog,but I dont mind I am an OAP who lives alone ,dont smoke or drink,share bunnies ,piggies food fresh veg as I am a veggie ,I do have 4 grown up children plus two grandsons.

I dont steal anyone`s cats,all my cats are indoors cats born in my house and in the summer they have cat flap plus a very large built onto the back of my house an outside enclosure which they are unable to leave as I live on a busy bus route.