Moral dilemma

Artytarty

But what if all he gets is containment for the rest of his days, sufficient food but no loving home?
Mind you he doesn't currently enjoy a great existence, but does have his freedom.
I'm away at present but my daughter has been feeding him.

SensibleSarah

If I were in this situation, I'd be taking responsibility for it and getting the cat neutered, treated for fleas, wormed etc and I would provide it with shelter in my front garden (small dog kennel or similar) and continue to feed and look out for it - getting it to the vets if needed. It can live happily outdoors like many cats do. Then, over time, your own cats may become more accepting of it. If not, it's a better life for it than a) what it has now or b) what it may have if not rehomed from a rescue centre.

Artytarty

Update!
Owner has finally responded to me,saying he hasn't seen x for many weeks.
Well he knew where to come looking if he wanted him. Owner is agreeable to neutering and cats protection are sending me a voucher.
They were very helpful actually.
Cat can be treated for fleas at the same time.
Even if he comes back here afterwards as I expect- if he survives crossing the busy road- then at least he is neutered.
I'm fairly content about it all today, I've done my best and we shall cross the next bridge when we come to it.,ie, Winter.
Cats Protection said no to capture and neutering as he belongs to the man in the eyes of the law and things could turn nasty.

nicter

Does the cat have a chip ? I would be asking C.P to check while hes there to ensure he does belong to this guy.
If he doesn't its a whole new ball game

Artytarty

He said he'd ring me after work yesterday but has not yet done so.
I think he got the cat from a rescue place so it may be chipped to there.

nicter

Artytarty wrote: »

He said he'd ring me after work yesterday but has not yet done so.
I think he got the cat from a rescue place so it may be chipped to there.

All rescues Ive used always transfer the chip into new owners name

Artytarty

He rang and wants to go ahead with neutering and taking him home.
Apparently he took him to the vets before but he has one undescended testicle which was a complication so he didn't go ahead.
I believe it can still be done and there is an increased need for it.

zoothornrollo_2

If you continue to see this cat in poor or deteriorating physical condition please do go back to Cats Protection or any other local pet / cat charity or RSPCA. They rely on people like you to tell them about uncared-for cats and strays.

In come cases they will contact the owner and basically say to them, 'If you can't or are not prepared to take care of the cat properly please would you hand him over to us for adoption.'

Unfortunately he doesn't have to give the cat up and some people are so morally bankrupt that they are prepared neither to look after their pets properly nor to hand them over.

But in most cases after a stern talking to they do one or the other.

Artytarty

Owner came and couldn't catch him.
He told me he has decided to rehome him because he got scratched , bitten and hissed at and ended up in a and e. And that we needed a "professional cat catcher" hahaha!
C.P. Is full with a long waiting list so boyo will be staying where he is.
I think I will be able to lift him in a few weeks, if not I'll borrow a trap fromCP.
I've built a small Smaug shelter but can't him to use it.
Any ideas?
I've put a few bits of dried food in which do disappear but I don't think he's curling up in there. I know I'm going to worry when it gets really cold at night.

Fire_Fox

Artytarty wrote: »

I'm interested to hear your views please, I appreciate I will get vary responses

I'd like to take him to the vets- neuter and skin treatment and either continue to feed him as an outdoor cat or ask the shelter to try and rehome him but I'm on very very dodgy ground.

It's keeping me awake at night , worrying about it.

Letting him in is not currently an option because one of my cats is very elderly and the other hates the imposter already.

Any advice from you wise folk who have read this lot is much appreciated.

The RSPCA considers any cat you feed regularly in your garden as your property/ responsibility. Legally you would be required to provide the 'five freedoms', which includes warm/ dry shelter and vet care.

Morally you must get this cat veterinary attention, either via a rescue or yourself. Leaving any animal to suffer is immoral.

There is no dodgy ground. Whether the RSPCA rehomes, returns or traces and prosecutes the previous owner after treating the cat is their decision.