[Wilfred Little]

(Original post by Pawsies)
Just because it doesn't have a collar doesn't mean it isn't cared for
What a strange conclusion to jump to. Maybe the owners got it microchipped and decided it didn't need the collar. Maybe the cat got the collar off.
Maybe there have been posters up but op hasn't seen them.

If it has other neighbours feeding it aswell then it seems unnecessary to move it considering it is content in its surroundings. Plus the next students at the house may continue feeding it etc.

Well that's me told then obviously.

OP, leave the cat.

[BeanofJelly]

(Original post by MHMQ786)
cat

Jesus! I recognise that cat! That's wilkie (or Eli is his actual name, he has many)!

He's not mine but I know the owner (who is my neighbour).

No you can not take him to leicester!

The owner lives at 9 leahurst crescent in Harborne. I don't think he wanders that far so if you don't live in Harborne it probably isn't the same one.

He (the cat) gets about (total food whore) but he has a home and he goes to it through his catflap every night and is well fed (even if he isn't well brushed).

Also, seriously - no don't wash a cat in a bath! Can't believe you tried this, poor baby!

Pls reply because if you have actually kidnapped wilkie then at least I can let his owner know that he's safe before you get round to bringing him back home.


Here is my own picture of him, he comes in our house the whole time:



Same cat yeah? It may not be the same cat (merely a very similar looking one), but in either case I do not think you should take it away from where it lives. If it is well fed then doing so is totally uneccessary and you should just be honest with yourself - you want it because it's cute. And you don't care that much that you might be stealing it from its owner...
Not having a collar doesn't mean it doesn't have an owner, even not having a microchip doesn't necessarily mean this - not that you have even bothered to check that it's microchipped!


EDIT: Looking again and again at the pictures, I think it is not the same cat as the colouring on its hind legs seems different. Phew! Wilkie is safe! However, just thinking that it might have been a cat I full well know belongs to someone reaffirms my view, which is: if you want to adopt a cute cat go to a sanctuary rather than picking up one from the street that probably belongs to someone else and is already well fed.

If you're really concerned only for its welfare, then take it to the vet if you want. Seeing if it is chipped would be responsible and kind.

But I think even if it isn't microchipped - it could belong to anyone, it probably does as it was wearing a collar at one stage. Only if it is microchipped and you find that the owner is dead, has left the country or doesn't want it can you really take it for your own. If it's well fed by multiple households then it can stay in Birmingham. You will be distressing it totally uneccessarily by moving it to an entirely new place, not to mention potentially stealing it from a very upset owner!

Imagine - its owner could be a little old lady who doesn't go out often enough to see your signs. Or it could have run away from home and its owners will be really happy to be reunited with it.

[Wilfred Little]

(Original post by BeanofJelly)
Jesus! I recognise that cat! That's wilkie (or Eli is his actual name, he has many)!

He's not mine but I know the owner. No you can not take him back to leicester!

The owner lives at 9 leahurst crescent. He (the cat) gets about (total food whore) but he has a home and he goes to it through his catflap every night and is well fed.

[BeanofJelly]

(Original post by Wilfred Little)
It may have belonged to someone previously but if it is now roaming about with no collar then the owners clearly don't care for it.

No posters, no collar... I don't think it does belong to anybody.

I say take it. You've clearly done your best to ensure it's original owners find it and you care for this cat.

Jeez!

No collar = mine for the taking?!

Loads of cats don't wear collars (many continuously shake them off and lose them), my pet cat at home doesn't wear a collar (!)

So he wanders... HE'S A CAT! THEY WANDER!


Also, I'm pretty sure Wilkie is actually microchipped, so until he's taken to the vet to get that checked, not all efforts to find his owner have been made, and taking him to a completely different city for no reason is both cruel and plain ole stealing!

[Joinedup]

(Original post by Origami Bullets)


Didn't anyone else think of this from this thread?

i did... My sister found the cat food bill for her 2 rocketed when she moved to a more rural house with fewer softy neighbours.
Imo this cat sounds like it's got a good life and was getting looked after properly before you arrived... So i'd leave it behind to enjoy it's six dinner lifestyle.

[Wilfred Little]

(Original post by Wilfred Little)
Well that's me told then obviously.

OP, leave the cat.

Did you miss this post?

(Original post by BeanofJelly)
Jeez!

No collar = mine for the taking?!

Loads of cats don't wear collars (many continuously shake them off and lose them), my pet cat at home doesn't wear a collar (!)

So he wanders... HE'S A CAT! THEY WANDER!


Also, I'm pretty sure Wilkie is actually microchipped, so until he's taken to the vet to get that checked, not all efforts to find his owner have been made, and taking him to a completely different city for no reason is both cruel and plain ole stealing!

Please calm down because I am actually a little bit frightened.

[BeanofJelly]

(Original post by Wilfred Little)
Did you miss this post?



Please calm down because I am actually a little bit frightened.

Lol I <3 cats okay, especially Wilkie <3

[MHMQ786]

(Original post by BeanofJelly)
Jeez!

No collar = mine for the taking?!

Loads of cats don't wear collars (many continuously shake them off and lose them), my pet cat at home doesn't wear a collar (!)

So he wanders... HE'S A CAT! THEY WANDER!


Also, I'm pretty sure Wilkie is actually microchipped, so until he's taken to the vet to get that checked, not all efforts to find his owner have been made, and taking him to a completely different city for no reason is both cruel and plain ole stealing!

(Original post by Joinedup)
i did... My sister found the cat food bill for her 2 rocketed when she moved to a more rural house with fewer softy neighbours.
Imo this cat sounds like it's got a good life and was getting looked after properly before you arrived... So i'd leave it behind to enjoy it's six dinner lifestyle.

(Original post by Origami Bullets)
Some people don't use collars because of the danger of it getting caught when tree climbing, and the cat ending up hanging itself. No collar doesn't mean anything.

(Original post by Pawsies)
Just because it doesn't have a collar doesn't mean it isn't cared for
What a strange conclusion to jump to. Maybe the owners got it microchipped and decided it didn't need the collar. Maybe the cat got the collar off.
Maybe there have been posters up but op hasn't seen them.

If it has other neighbours feeding it aswell then it seems unnecessary to move it considering it is content in its surroundings. Plus the next students at the house may continue feeding it etc.

(Original post by Wilfred Little)
Doubtful.



It may have belonged to someone previously but if it is now roaming about with no collar then the owners clearly don't care for it.

No posters, no collar... I don't think it does belong to anybody.

I say take it. You've clearly done your best to ensure it's original owners find it and you care for this cat.

(Original post by Pawsies)
I don't think you should take it. It will belong to someone in the area- especially if it's had a collar on before. It also has familiarity in it's surroundings, knows it's territory and would be perfectly fine fending for itself if it was a stray (student houses! ). To take it away from this seems unnecessary.

If you want a cat go to the local rescue shelter in Leicester and get one that needs a home

(Original post by kassiopeia)
hehe!you must really want it.Hope you get to keep it!

(Original post by Disenchanted)
Aww that cat is adorable! I hope you get to keep it Even if it has been microchipped, you might not be able to contact the owners in time?

(Original post by inadilemma)
Good luck

Thank you to everyone for the good luck messages
Please continue to read below, if you are doubting my sincerity (or motives(!)) in wanting to adopt this cat...

(Original post by BeanofJelly)
Jesus! I recognise that cat! That's wilkie (or Eli is his actual name, he has many)!

He's not mine but I know the owner (who is my neighbour).

No you can not take him to leicester!

The owner lives at 9 leahurst crescent in Harborne. I don't think he wanders that far so if you don't live in Harborne it probably isn't the same one.

He (the cat) gets about (total food whore) but he has a home and he goes to it through his catflap every night and is well fed (even if he isn't well brushed).

Also, seriously - no don't wash a cat in a bath! Can't believe you tried this, poor baby!

Pls reply because if you have actually kidnapped wilkie then at least I can let his owner know that he's safe before you get round to bringing him back home.


Here is my own picture of him, he comes in our house the whole time:



Same cat yeah? It may not be the same cat (merely a very similar looking one), but in either case I do not think you should take it away from where it lives. If it is well fed then doing so is totally uneccessary and you should just be honest with yourself - you want it because it's cute. And you don't care that much that you might be stealing it from its owner...
Not having a collar doesn't mean it doesn't have an owner, even not having a microchip doesn't necessarily mean this - not that you have even bothered to check that it's microchipped!


EDIT: Looking again and again at the pictures, I think it is not the same cat as the colouring on its hind legs seems different. Phew! Wilkie is safe! However, just thinking that it might have been a cat I full well know belongs to someone reaffirms my view, which is: if you want to adopt a cute cat go to a sanctuary rather than picking up one from the street that probably belongs to someone else and is already well fed.

If you're really concerned only for its welfare, then take it to the vet if you want. Seeing if it is chipped would be responsible and kind.

But I think even if it isn't microchipped - it could belong to anyone, it probably does as it was wearing a collar at one stage. Only if it is microchipped and you find that the owner is dead, has left the country or doesn't want it can you really take it for your own. If it's well fed by multiple households then it can stay in Birmingham. You will be distressing it totally uneccessarily by moving it to an entirely new place, not to mention potentially stealing it from a very upset owner!

Imagine - its owner could be a little old lady who doesn't go out often enough to see your signs. Or it could have run away from home and its owners will be really happy to be reunited with it.

Actions I have taken to ensure the cat does not belong to anyone:

1. Put posters up around the area. They have been up for a month. No one has responded.
2. Searched online forums for missing cats in the neighbourhood. Emailed a total of 6 potential owners- none have replied.
3. Emailed the RSCPCA: followed their guidelines, which included contacting my local vet to tell them about the cat
4. Been around to approximately 20 houses in the vicinity- none of the occupants know if the cat is owned or not- in fact, many believe that we owned it because it's always waiting for us outside of our house
5. 3 sets of Neighbours a few doors down are positive that our adjacent neighbour (consisting of a couple and a young child) used to be the owners but the cat scratched the kid and hence, they do not claim responsibility for it or look after it any longer. It is worth noting that some of these people have lived here for almost 60 years!
6. The cat has not had a collar since january.
7. At night, it shelters in one of our neighbours shed in the garden. During the day, it's with either myself, or 2 other neighbours (none of whom are the owners)
8. Took it to the vet. It is not microchipped.

I don't know what else you want me to do to ensure it is not owned, but if you have any suggestions, please do tell.

This isn't about any old cat... this particular cat has lived with us for almost a year now. At the beginning of this year, I wouldn't have even considered that I would take it home with me, but there are some factors to consider: No one has claimed responsibility for it. I feed it everyday but so do 2 other neighbours. None of us knew this until recently. This means that sometimes the cat is fed, at other times it goes hungry.

All of us have to put it out at night because we don't have a litter tray in the house. Once, at 3 am, it lay on my lap and fell asleep. The rain was pouring down outside. I sat there for about an hour, hoping the rain would stop. But it didn't, and eventually I had to put the cat out. You have no idea how awful I felt doing that.

Another factor to consider is the other 2 neighbours who feed it are both elderly. one is moving away very soon to live with her son in devon. The other one is not willing to officially adopt the cat.

I don't live in harbourne. I'm in selly oak, near pershore road.

I understand where you're coming from, but I'm a bit insulted that you think that I'm some sort of catnapper only after this cat because "you want it because it's cute. And you don't care that much that you might be stealing it from its owner..." - That's harsh, and out of line.

If you had perhaps bothered to read the updated post in reply to several other posters, before replying to my original one.. you would have seen that I intended to take the cat to the vet when I had the chance, and get it vaccinated etc too. - It is not microchipped. It's generally in good health- a tiny bit underweight. And vaccinations will need to be completed in Leicester.



I've bought a cat carrier. I've done everything I could. I'm taking the cat with me this weekend. Thank you to everyone for their replies

[kassiopeia]

you have done more than enough.Best of luck to you and your kitty!

[The Socktor]

(Original post by MHMQ786)
Hello, just wanted some advice. I am currently living in a student house and a very tame cat began to visit us since september 2011. It is black and white and initially had a black collar. We feed it almost everyday and look after it, but when we asked several neighbours on our road, we found out they are all feeding it and looking after it, but no one knew whose cat it is. Then when we returned in january from our winter break, it was still here but did not have a collar and spends every day with us. We will be leaving this house in june, and I was thinking of taking it back with me to my home in leicester so it has a proper home where someone is permanently looking after it, as we are all going to be leaving.

Is there anything else I can do to find out if it belongs to anyone before I take it home with me? I have emailed the RSPCA with a description and have searched forums online, and emailed several cat owners whose pets have been missing (and were lookalikes) but none have got back to me.

Also, I just wanted some general advice as to the things I will need to buy. For example, I know I will need a carrier for the one hours journey to leicester and I have read that initially the cat should stay indoors to get used to the place, and then slowly venture out, possibly with a lead. Also, would I need to take it to the vet? We think it is infested with fleas too. And it has very sharp claws, can we cut them? And how many times do we bathe the cat? We have tried (unsuccessfully) to get it to stay in the bath.

Thank you in advance

Me and my family took in a homeless kitten (which seemed too young to be out anyway) in the Christmas of 2010. It just appeared in my garage, even though we already had a fully grown cat. We called the RSPCA and they told us to just go around the local area to try and find its owner. I couldn't and then called them back and asked if they could take it in; they then just said "can't you look after it?", and so we have ever since.

If you are going to take it in, then I have to say:

1. Take to a vet as soon as you can; we assumed that the cat we took in was male, we found out this wasn't the case a few months later when she ended up getting pregnant and we had to look after baby kittens from their birth and then give them away.

2. Be aware that the cat may not be house-trained, and therefore it would take a lot of effort to do so yourself rather than to simply go and get from a pet shop or something. This will also be an issue if you have to keep the place tidy.

Hope that helps.

[a.partridge]

pffft you could have given birth to a cat with less effort than you have invested in this one.

[MHMQ786]

(Original post by a.partridge)
pffft you could have given birth to a cat with less effort than you have invested in this one.

Haha :P
It's worth all this effort, trust me

[MHMQ786]

(Original post by The Socktor)
Me and my family took in a homeless kitten (which seemed too young to be out anyway) in the Christmas of 2010. It just appeared in my garage, even though we already had a fully grown cat. We called the RSPCA and they told us to just go around the local area to try and find its owner. I couldn't and then called them back and asked if they could take it in; they then just said "can't you look after it?", and so we have ever since.

If you are going to take it in, then I have to say:

1. Take to a vet as soon as you can; we assumed that the cat we took in was male, we found out this wasn't the case a few months later when she ended up getting pregnant and we had to look after baby kittens from their birth and then give them away.

2. Be aware that the cat may not be house-trained, and therefore it would take a lot of effort to do so yourself rather than to simply go and get from a pet shop or something. This will also be an issue if you have to keep the place tidy.

Hope that helps.

(Original post by kassiopeia)
you have done more than enough.Best of luck to you and your kitty!

Thank you to you both

[The Polymath]

(Original post by MHMQ786)
Hello, just wanted some advice. I am currently living in a student house and a very tame cat began to visit us since september 2011. It is black and white and initially had a black collar. We feed it almost everyday and look after it, but when we asked several neighbours on our road, we found out they are all feeding it and looking after it, but no one knew whose cat it is. Then when we returned in january from our winter break, it was still here but did not have a collar and spends every day with us. We will be leaving this house in june, and I was thinking of taking it back with me to my home in leicester so it has a proper home where someone is permanently looking after it, as we are all going to be leaving.

Is there anything else I can do to find out if it belongs to anyone before I take it home with me? I have emailed the RSPCA with a description and have searched forums online, and emailed several cat owners whose pets have been missing (and were lookalikes) but none have got back to me.

Also, I just wanted some general advice as to the things I will need to buy. For example, I know I will need a carrier for the one hours journey to leicester and I have read that initially the cat should stay indoors to get used to the place, and then slowly venture out, possibly with a lead. Also, would I need to take it to the vet? We think it is infested with fleas too. And it has very sharp claws, can we cut them? And how many times do we bathe the cat? We have tried (unsuccessfully) to get it to stay in the bath.

Thank you in advance

Hold on, can we hear the cat's side of the story too? I think it should have a say too.. animals have rights you know!

[inadilemma]

It sounds like you've done an awful lot to ensure that this cat does not belong to anyone. As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to have an owner. So I say feel free to give him/her a loving home. The cat obviously likes you if he/she keeps coming back. Good luck

[KPascals]

I live in Selly Oak, Birmingham too! This area has an unusual amount of stray cats! There's one in our cul-de-sac that gets it's food from 3 different houses at least.
I'd say take it, most of the cats around here don't belong to anyone and just tear up the rubbish bags at night to get scraps of food. I think it'd live a better life with a more stable home haha.
Good luck c:

[Wilfred Little]

(Original post by MHMQ786)
I've bought a cat carrier. I've done everything I could. I'm taking the cat with me this weekend. Thank you to everyone for their replies

What a lovely thread this has been.

Good luck with your cat.

[Kim-x]

You seem a lovely person. I'm glad you got to keep the cat. As a dog owner I don't have any advice for you but good luck


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Safx]

Aww well done for trying so hard I think you should take it...
If you think it has fleas get flea killer and prevention from your vet, I recommend Advance. It's cheaper and apparently much more effective than stuff like Frontline. I used Advance on my cat and it works brilliantly. Be sure to check it's resting spots after though to clean up.
Make sure it's litter trained by just introducting it to its litter tray and making sure it sniffs and plays around in it a bit..voila

[EckoGecko]

Probably a little late...but when we had a stray cat that kept stealing food every night for months we stuck a collar on it with a message saying this cat keeps coming here and a few hours later we got a phone call from the owner. :P
Good luck with him though Cats make the best pets!