Next Door's Cat Again

tesuhoha

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

What sort of a nurse must this woman next door be?

I would hesitate in handing him over to the RSPCA they would likely put him down, It's not fair but it seems he needs you and you are doing a great job. Have you a PDSA nearby, they will see animals for donation

I would hate to be one of her patients. I don't know how we would transport him.

purple.sarah

TBH I would consider contacting local animal shelters and seeing if you can hand him in as a stray, some of them have a no kill policy but unfortunately they are very busy. If the owner leaves him outside and doesn't feed him it seems like she has abandoned him.

Caroline_a

I'm going to go against the grain here and say I think you need to have a conversation with her. There may be a reason why the cat is all skin and bone and he may be being medicated for it already. Additionally the owner may have other issues herself why she cannot be at home all the time at the moment, and may have friends coming to feed the cat.

Whatever the reason, you should not be diagnosing and medicating someone else's animal! Maybe if you have a conversation with this lady you can find out what the issue is. You said that she never speaks to you, maybe you should be the bigger person here and make the first move, rather than trying to spy on her with binoculars. I have had animals that have suddenly gone 'thin' and there has usually been a medical reason which has been treated by the vet. Sometimes it has been something that won't be cured and I have worked with my vet to ensure that the cat doesn't suffer, and has as good a quality of life as possible.

In my experience cats will eat most food offered, are not fussy at all with a warm environment and a lap, preferably with an arm that strokes connected to it! And often they will go from one house to another in a matter of seconds, with a 'oh I'm so hard done by' expression on their faces! You should not assume that the cat is being ill-treated unless you have a conversation with the owner to maybe find out what the issues are.

haribo862003

most shelters wont take a old cat in (over 8) as they are full and to rehome them with insurance they have to be under 8 years. Also giving the cat milk may give him diarrhea which he will get it more dehydrated.

Your best bet would be the rspca but i wouldn't tell them you have been feeding him as they won't be as bother because they no you are looking after him.

I also agree with Caroline, you should never give a animal medication if you haven't been told to be a vet, as you may overdose or make the condition worse.
My cat doesn't look in the best condition as he has been in out the vets for the last year, having bloods taken, which they have to shave his neck. Operations on his eye lids, losing weight. Luckily we have insurance as it cost over 3k. We have now found the reason due to allergies to dust mights and turkey and other things, which is in most cat foods. He also goes outside, which people must think he is cared for.

tesuhoha

I feel like I need to monitor the situation a bit longer before deciding what to do. He is at least being fed right now. It would be better if my husband speaks to her because she won't talk to me. She cuts me dead even when I say hello. I've knocked on her door once to give her a parcel that was delivered to us and its just snatch and bang the door in my face.

tesuhoha

Caroline_a wrote: »

I'm going to go against the grain here and say I think you need to have a conversation with her. There may be a reason why the cat is all skin and bone and he may be being medicated for it already. Additionally the owner may have other issues herself why she cannot be at home all the time at the moment, and may have friends coming to feed the cat.

Whatever the reason, you should not be diagnosing and medicating someone else's animal! Maybe if you have a conversation with this lady you can find out what the issue is. You said that she never speaks to you, maybe you should be the bigger person here and make the first move, rather than trying to spy on her with binoculars. I have had animals that have suddenly gone 'thin' and there has usually been a medical reason which has been treated by the vet. Sometimes it has been something that won't be cured and I have worked with my vet to ensure that the cat doesn't suffer, and has as good a quality of life as possible.

In my experience cats will eat most food offered, are not fussy at all with a warm environment and a lap, preferably with an arm that strokes connected to it! And often they will go from one house to another in a matter of seconds, with a 'oh I'm so hard done by' expression on their faces! You should not assume that the cat is being ill-treated unless you have a conversation with the owner to maybe find out what the issues are.

I am very nervous with people. There is no way that I could bring myself to approach her. I had no interest in her at all until her cat appeared in my kitchen begging for food. I wasn't spying on her, I was looking to see whether the cat had any access to the house.

It was my opinion that the cat was starving. After all he has put on weight this past week. However, maybe I am wrong. I could have misjudged the whole situation. In which case perhaps I should just mind my own business. Its not my cat after all and none of my business what she does with it. I don't want all the mess and expense of feeding a cat so it would be much easier for me not to bother. You are probably right, I think I will stop encouraging him. She is there now so let her take responsibility for him. Next time he comes to the back door I will just ignore him.

Caroline_a

Maybe it might be an idea if your husband spoke to her - she may be shy too! She might be going through a rough time at the moment - I remember when my dad was in hospital I was at work, then home for a few minutes then back to hospital visiting him - it was exhausting and my animals hardly saw me. However, it had to be done.

You obviously want the best for the cat, so hopefully your husband can talk to her and find out what the situation is. You never know, she might be desperate for help, and doesn't know how to ask!

tesuhoha

I'll speak to him tonight and see what he says. He's much more confident than me about these things. In fact I am a bit surprised that he hasn't said anything already.

Croc_Mad

Try catchat (google it) for local animal charities. They are much more likely to take an older, sick cat. My girls were happily taken in by a very small rescue last Christmas and they are fourteen years old. You're a good person, if there were more like you out there the world would be a better place.

Person_one

I really don't think you can just make the cat vanish without at least an attempt to talk to the owner.

That's really a very basic thing that needs to be done here, no matter how shy you are.