We have two female (neutered) kittens around 10 months old. Around three months ago a little black tom showed up and started playing with our girls. Then he started letting himself in (he was strong and determined enough to force the magnetic catflap). Then one night he stayed in all night. The next day we went door to door to find his real family, successfully. We found out his name, that he was two months younger than ours, and also came from a litter of three. We told them to come by and get him anytime, which they did twice. But gradually he (now neutered too) kept spending more and more time at ours, and now he is a fixture. We never really encouraged him - its the girls, not us, he spends time with, but its like we have a third cat now. Will he grow out of it? Will our cats stop tollerating him? Do we tell his other family that he has left them? They'll be upset, but it can't come as much of a surprise as he must spend NO time with them. Advice appreciated.
2007-04-23 21:52:04 · 11 answers · asked by Linda 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I would think that by now the neighbors know that he has adopted you as his family! He is obviously much happier with you and his "sisters", so as long as you don't mind having him, I would say try to adopt him. Perhaps knowing that he is happy and safe with you his original family will be happy to let you keep him. I once had a cat walk into my house, start loving on my Boxer and the other cats. He used to come and go as he pleased, and eventually just stayed. I found out months afterwards that he belonged to neighbors living quite close, and they, unlike your neighbors, didn't seem to care at all that he was now living with someone else! He lived with us for many years, until he developed cancer and had to be euthanised. So, enjoy your new "son" if you get ot keep him.
2007-04-23 23:04:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We too have the same problem. I honestly don't think there's much you can do. A male neighborhood cat has been staying in my yard for about a month now. A long time ago he used to run away as soon as we stepped outside but for some reason he has now decided to stay. He is not desexed so I don't let him come inside as I already have a female cat (will spay her next month) but I have decided to let him hang around and I feed him everyday. He seems lonely and is extremely affectionate. Sometimes he disappears for 1-2 days and then comes back for food.
2007-04-24 08:24:32 · answer #2 · answered by ginger2006 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This cat has DECIDED to adopt you as his family. As long as he is allowed out by your neighbors, he will keep coming back and staying with you. If you don't mind (and really, a 3rd cat isn't really that much of an additional burden to feed), then just allow him to stay and adopt him outright. I don't know how your neghbors are, but you can talk to them about it. If they don't want to give up their cat, then you should point out to them that unless they keep him inside, he will always come over to your house.
A couple of years ago, we lived in an apartment. The next door neighbors brought two kittens but they never let them inside. Anyway, the two kittens "adopted" me and would come into my flat and sleep on my bed (upsetting my own cat), eating my cat's food. I did my best to take care of these kittens for several months until it was time for me to move out into a new place. I asked my neighbors if I could take the 2 cats with me and I was shocked that they said "no, our daughters will miss them." What? They never even fed these cats! Anyway, months after I moved, my )former) neighbor rang me up asking me for help concerning one of their cats - Simba. He was run over. Unfortunately, Simba died at the vet's. I was sooooo ANGRY!!! I they had given me the cats, Simba would still be alive today. My neighbor had the graceto feel truly guilty about it - she told me so.
2007-04-24 05:13:02 · answer #3 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really sounds like you've been adopted! Unless he has objectionable habits that you haven't mentioned I'd just let the status be quo for now. Surely the neighbors know they've been abandoned. Your only alternative is to take him to the shelter and I can't think you want to do that.
Some of my very best cats have been black males-I'd keep him.
2007-04-24 05:51:43 · answer #4 · answered by barbara 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it sounds to me like this kitten has chosen your family over his own because he doesn't feel comfortable at home or maybe he is there protecting the girls how cute either way i think his original family has lost him and by the sounds of it they are not too worried about him anyway or they would have done something about it a long time ago
2007-04-24 07:41:38 · answer #5 · answered by caz99holden 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you do not dsiscourage him from going back to his family and home he won't. You definitely should tell his legal owners about this, it's just the right thing to do. Offer to take over ownership and see what you can work out.
2007-04-24 06:35:19 · answer #6 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as if he loves being with you all and he has made you his family. It doesn't sound like his real family misses him at all. If you don't mind having him around and it sounds as if you have a soft spot for him I would just let him stay.
2007-04-24 05:17:10 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah Kate 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he prefers your household
feels more at home there
his real parents know where he is but havent come around to claiming him
shows they dont really give him the attention he needs
enjoy
2007-04-24 05:06:03 · answer #8 · answered by ~*tigger*~ ** 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stop feeding the kittens when the male kit is around. This way he will get the point.
2007-04-24 05:01:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
charge him room & board
he needs to get a damn job and be a real man
2007-04-24 09:11:58 · answer #10 · answered by Flatulant One 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋