Been adopted by a cat, advice needed
Discussion
Had a cat turn up last week in the garden and she's now shown up for the past two days.
We're surrounded by countryside so presume she's a feral/farmers cat - no collar. She looks in great condition though and certainly not thin. She's also the friendliest cat I've ever seen.
Problem is we can't really "adopt" her - I have my Malamute that is unlikely to tolerate her being in his garden and we also have numerous bird feeders up so the garden is full of birds.
She's now discovered my cabin and made herself at home. We haven't fed her or offered her water as of yet.
Any suggestions if she's liable to be just a temporary fixture or how to proceed. She's a lovely thing but it's not really on for her to take up residence.
We're surrounded by countryside so presume she's a feral/farmers cat - no collar. She looks in great condition though and certainly not thin. She's also the friendliest cat I've ever seen.
Problem is we can't really "adopt" her - I have my Malamute that is unlikely to tolerate her being in his garden and we also have numerous bird feeders up so the garden is full of birds.
She's now discovered my cabin and made herself at home. We haven't fed her or offered her water as of yet.
Any suggestions if she's liable to be just a temporary fixture or how to proceed. She's a lovely thing but it's not really on for her to take up residence.
Thanks for the advice. We're having a chat with other villagers to see if they know who the cat might belong to.
I'm letting her stay in the cabin as she seems very comfy -
If she's still there in the morning then I'll contact the local CPL. Taking her to the vets is no issue either.
Should I offer her some food (I do have cat food in the house) and water?
I'm letting her stay in the cabin as she seems very comfy -
If she's still there in the morning then I'll contact the local CPL. Taking her to the vets is no issue either.
Should I offer her some food (I do have cat food in the house) and water?
Just put a bowl of water down and make sure she can go out on her own accord,
We have a tabby who has been hanging around for the last 3 weeks and our neighbour who has 6 cats has been feeding it and has put a cat protection collar on him.
If no-one own up to him (he is not chipped) they will come and collect him .
We have a tabby who has been hanging around for the last 3 weeks and our neighbour who has 6 cats has been feeding it and has put a cat protection collar on him.
If no-one own up to him (he is not chipped) they will come and collect him .
What a coincidence, yesterday we were almost adopted by a lovely ginger tabby. First thing we knew was when daughter went out with the dog there was a huge commotion as this cat was sitting on the car bonnet. Dog has a very high prey drive, so cats, rabbits, squirrels get chased with a vengeance, but he is patience and calm personified with small dogs.
Anyway despite being chased the cat was determined she now lived with us. We didn't give her any food or water because same problem as OP, no way was it going to be possible to keep this cat, and didn't want to encourage it to stay. Turns out it was owned by someone who had just moved away across town, it had almost made its way to the old home but got lost and decided our house was its new home, despite the very angry dog. It slept outside our back door, reunited with owner today once the chip had been read.
Anyway despite being chased the cat was determined she now lived with us. We didn't give her any food or water because same problem as OP, no way was it going to be possible to keep this cat, and didn't want to encourage it to stay. Turns out it was owned by someone who had just moved away across town, it had almost made its way to the old home but got lost and decided our house was its new home, despite the very angry dog. It slept outside our back door, reunited with owner today once the chip had been read.
Trabi601 said:
I'm sure the OP doesn't fit the usual profile for an owner... but they're the current 'council chic' dog of choice.
I can guarantee that I don't fit that particular owner stereotype (and am saddened that you're correct about them being council chic). This is mine - 
I'm going to give CPL a call tomorrow though I'm coming round to the idea of keeping her (she won't be able to come in the house but the cabin is fine). It seems there's a local caravan park owner who has litter after litter then let's them roam wild, most likely "ours" is one of these.
Thanks again for advice.
FiF said:
Turns out it was owned by someone who had just moved away across town, it had almost made its way to the old home but got lost and decided our house was its new home, despite the very angry dog. It slept outside our back door, reunited with owner today once the chip had been read.
Glad there was a happy outcome 
Aw, she looks lovely!
A cat that friendly isn't a feral or farm cat - feral cats are truly wild, and do not trust people, and farm cats/stable cats are halfway to same but coexist okay. So, she's a pet for sure - she is friendly to humans because she has had human friends before. She's been loved, and expects to be loved again, and that's a properly nice thing for a moggy cat.
Cats Protection might not have a bed for her right away but will definitely be able to help her find a new family quickly and easily as she's so nice and friendly, so that's definitely a legit option.
It's *possible* your Malamute might be amenable to making friends, but I'd seek proper advice on that one.
A cat that friendly isn't a feral or farm cat - feral cats are truly wild, and do not trust people, and farm cats/stable cats are halfway to same but coexist okay. So, she's a pet for sure - she is friendly to humans because she has had human friends before. She's been loved, and expects to be loved again, and that's a properly nice thing for a moggy cat.
Cats Protection might not have a bed for her right away but will definitely be able to help her find a new family quickly and easily as she's so nice and friendly, so that's definitely a legit option.
It's *possible* your Malamute might be amenable to making friends, but I'd seek proper advice on that one.
Malamutes are lovely dogs...a friend of mine has one. They are huge and look intimidating but if well looked after they are really friendly. The one I know is mainly interested in belly rubs and chin rubs and rolls over immediately whenever I visit. Large dogs always look completely stupid when they do this.
Don't know how they became 'council dogs' because they are wonderful animals.
Don't know how they became 'council dogs' because they are wonderful animals.
I have a now semi feral cat lives out in my back garden, Trust me...A feral cat wont be freindly.
Mine turned up 3 xmas's ago and started to shelter under the patio table with the winter cover on. Was prob around a full month before I realized it was even there.
I put a box under the table cover and put down water and left it alone. Within 3 months it had its own kennel out the back fully carpeted and insulated with polystyrene with another box in the kennel. Took 2 years before it got annoying by waking up the neighbours at 5am wanting fed.
Now its still in the same kennel but its warm and safe and all we do is feed and water it. It now allows me to pet it as long as I dont make any sudden movements.
Our other 2 housecats get on with it and they just share the back garden without fighing. Not even once have a heard or seen them fight which I found strange.
Mine turned up 3 xmas's ago and started to shelter under the patio table with the winter cover on. Was prob around a full month before I realized it was even there.
I put a box under the table cover and put down water and left it alone. Within 3 months it had its own kennel out the back fully carpeted and insulated with polystyrene with another box in the kennel. Took 2 years before it got annoying by waking up the neighbours at 5am wanting fed.
Now its still in the same kennel but its warm and safe and all we do is feed and water it. It now allows me to pet it as long as I dont make any sudden movements.
Our other 2 housecats get on with it and they just share the back garden without fighing. Not even once have a heard or seen them fight which I found strange.
zarjaz1991 said:
Malamutes are lovely dogs...a friend of mine has one. They are huge and look intimidating but if well looked after they are really friendly. The one I know is mainly interested in belly rubs and chin rubs and rolls over immediately whenever I visit. Large dogs always look completely stupid when they do this.
Don't know how they became 'council dogs' because they are wonderful animals.
"Council types" also like 'wonderful' animals. They're attracted to breeds for all the same reasons anyone is. Take Staffies - people like them because they like how they look, because their family had one when they were a kid, because they've heard they're good with children, because their mate has one and that's a great dog, because they hope their appearance might make potential threats reconsider (this is particularly true of shouty young men full of aggressive posturing. They're sDon't know how they became 'council dogs' because they are wonderful animals.
t scared underneath) and doubtless a dozen more reasons I can't think of right now. Only real difference, and even then it's not much of one, is how likely different communities are to commit to a dog or other pet they haven't entirely appreciated the long term needs of, although that said my family's last rescue dog was previously owned by a pair of awfully well spoken and reportedly very nice upper middle class young professional idiots who weren't adequately equipped to Pooper Scoop a border collie's faeces, never mind raise one from a puppy.
There's a well known drug dealer living about a mile from me who used to have an absolutely gorgeous Neapolitan Mastiff. On first glance - council house, high status expensive dog, studded collar, owner demonstrably a total thug - you miss the fact that he got it because he thought it was a lovely breed. It's always been impeccably well looked after and I rather worry what'll happen the next time the CPS manage to make a conviction stick…
I knew I was taking a risk mentioning 'Malamute' 
My boy is now 9 and I rescued him when he was 1. To say that I'd do anything for that dog is an understatement; he's been through hell with poor health (in part to his crap first year) but he got me through a rough marriage/divorce and as long as I ended up with him the rest was a bonus.
I do despair of people owning this breed and having no idea of the upkeep required. Mine's always had a very placid temperament but I have heard the horror stories about bad malamutes. I grew up around Rottweilers before they became the chav breed of choice too (parents got their first in 1978).
I also drive an Impreza, so it's not looking good on the stereotyping.....
As for puddy-cat, she's still around and has made herself very comfortable in the cabin (she's made a nice bed out of a coat) and can come and go as she pleases. She has water and I'm contacting local vet tomorrow to discuss neutering. I did try the local CPL but they weren't much use tbh.
My boy is now 9 and I rescued him when he was 1. To say that I'd do anything for that dog is an understatement; he's been through hell with poor health (in part to his crap first year) but he got me through a rough marriage/divorce and as long as I ended up with him the rest was a bonus.
I do despair of people owning this breed and having no idea of the upkeep required. Mine's always had a very placid temperament but I have heard the horror stories about bad malamutes. I grew up around Rottweilers before they became the chav breed of choice too (parents got their first in 1978).
I also drive an Impreza, so it's not looking good on the stereotyping.....
As for puddy-cat, she's still around and has made herself very comfortable in the cabin (she's made a nice bed out of a coat) and can come and go as she pleases. She has water and I'm contacting local vet tomorrow to discuss neutering. I did try the local CPL but they weren't much use tbh.
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