A cat has started to visit me &I don't know if anyone owns this cat.I've let him inside & fed him.Is this ok?

Question

I don't know anything about looking after cats which is why I've been looking on this website in the first place!
I have had a cat that has just started to visit my house, he/she is lovely. I don't know who, if anyone owns this cat, she certainly looks healthy & looks well looked after.
I have had the cat in the house on several occasions, sometimes my choice & sometimes the cat’s choice.
On some occasions whenever I don't want the cat in the house, the cat just pushes past me whenever I am opening the front door & runs up the stairs as quick as lightening just to roll about on the carpet, on the landing & purrs like mad. I have let the cat stay in (sometimes for a few hours at a time) because recently it has been extremely cold outside.
I am concerned that someone out there is looking for a cat. It is not here all the time & the cat does seem to roam around the neighbourhood a lot although a few days can pass by without me seeing the cat.
I honestly don't know if I'm doing the right thing but I don't know anything about where the cat lives but the cat is welcome here!

Answer 1

It is pretty obvious the cat wants to be with you for whatever her reasons might be. Especially since the weather outside is so bad she may need the protection of your home.

You should contact the local humane society and give them a description or a picture of the cat if possible. It is the most responsible thing to do. I don't hold people who let their cats roam about outside in much esteem and not all owners are that responsible.

I would keep her inside my home if you don't hear from the humane society in a week. Then she can be your cat and you will have some responibilities as to a vet trip, checking for fleas or worms and trying to establish if she has been spayed or not.

Answer 2

You have a good heart! You're doing the right thing - if someone is looking for the cat, they'll be happy he was fed & taken care of while he was gone. Put up some signs, but don't include a picture. If someone calls, have them describe the cat. Look in your local newspapers lost & found, and check your local shelters to see if anyone reported him gone. Otherwise, keep doing what you're doing! it sounds like the kitty likes you , and some of my best cats came around of their own choice.

Answer 3

First off I Will not go off on the person who owned this baby before you. If they wanted that cat in the house it would be there. In this cold all over the country.
KEEP IT FOR YOUR SELF. Make it a house cat. Needs good food two times a day. Litter box. If you are concerned about a previous owner, post some flyer's around. If no one calls you. Keep it.
I am serious. If we chose to have a pet in our lives, it is important to be responsible. Take care of them. You can't just kick the poor things out when you had enough.
"I have not sympathy for people who treat animals bad"

Answer 4

The cat may or may not be owned by someone else. Cats can be notorious two-timers. Post a few signs in the neighborhood with the cat's picture and see if anyone else knows the cat. I've known people to "share" a cat before. As long as the owner knows and is Ok with it, no reason kitty can't come visit you.

If no one responds, congratulations, you now have been adopted by a cat.

Answer 5

If the kitty looks healthy and well-fed - shiny coat, bright eyes, alert, etc... chances are he is someone's cat. But then again, I have seen strays that look pretty good becuase everyone in the neighborhood feeds them! I suppose you can take a picture of the cat and put up flyers asking if anyone owns this cat. If you get no replies, well, I guess congratulations are in order - YOU have just been adopted by a majestic creature who will give you tons of joy.

Keep the kitty... they are easy to take care of. Just good food, warm place and lots of lovong attention. Purrr purrr

Answer 6

Maybe you should put up a notice in the paper or on a local bulletin board about the cat being found and see if anyone calls. Otherwise just consider the cat your little buddy and continue to feed it because you never know if its a stray or not. I know a lot of people who have random cats come around their house and they leave food and water out for them just in case they come by.

Answer 7

Go buy a break-away collar in a neon color and tie a note to it saying that you have been feeding the cat, etc.Make sure the collar is very bright and visible. If your cat has a home you'll have your "kitty mailbox" bringing you a return note shortly. If nothing happens in about two weeks, consider him yours. You should also post found cat posters ans such. Try to get the word out.

Answer 8

Go around asking if anyone has lost a cat. Have a description on hand. (prefferebly sometime when the cat is at your place)

If no-body within a 3 to 4 mile radius, the cat's yours.

Answer 9

You never really own a cat.

But if the cat chose you as its human provider, feel honored.

The others are right, try to find the owner. The "other" people that belonged to the cat may really, really miss it. That's why you look, for their peace of mind. If you find them there could be a little boy or girl who want the cat back. BUT... if you find the other folk, you can always ask if they mind your keeping it.

Answer 10

Check her ear to see if there is a tattoo from the local humane society. Most animal shelters tattoo pets with the id number ( usually inside the ear for cats) before they adopt them out. If you do find a number call the local animal shelter and they will be able to trace the owner for you.
Also, try taping a note to the cat 's collar if she has one when she leaves your house. If she has a home to go back to, chances are, the current owner will read it and know who to call next time she goes wandering.
Hope that helps.