How to tell if He's Lost?

alleygirl

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Last night I heard a cat meowing outside my door and when I opened it, there was a little black kitty, maybe 6-8 months old standing on my porch meowing to come in. He seemed clean and well fed and was very friendly, wanting to come inside and be petted, etc.

I live in an apartment in the city that doesn't allow pets, so even if he is lost, I can't take him as much as I would like to. I have never seen any cats running loose in my neighboorhood and definitely not this little cutie. There are a lot of apartments and most are non-pet apts. I let him in for a bit and pet him and gave him a few bites of chicken but then I had to put him back out. He went from door to door, anytime someone would come home or come outside he would hang on their porch meowing to be let in. I walked around the block with him following me, hoping he would recognize his home but he just kept following me. He truly seemed like he didn't know where home was.

I did not see him this morning, but it was very cold and I'm hoping he either found his way home or at least found a warm place to sleep. My question is, what do I do if he is out there again tonight roaming around, looking to be let in somewhere? Should I feed him? How long do I let him roam out there before I try to take him to the shelter or something? There are too many places to try to knock door to door and its not a friendly neighboorhood if you understand, so I would be hesitant to do that.

I just don't want him to end up freezing or starving or turning wild if he is just a lost, or dumped off kitty. What should I do?
 

yosemite

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I would bring him in, do up some flyers and post them in the neighbourhood and if you get no reply in a couple days, then you have a choice to make - either keep him (if you think you can get away with it because of the no-pet rule) or find a good no-kill shelter so he/she can find a good home. Sounds like he/she would be very adoptable.
 
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alleygirl

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Thanks for the suggestions. I truly hope he has found his way home, but if he is still hanging around tonight when I get home I will go get him some kitten food and litter and bring him in for a couple days. I have a digital camera so could take his picture for the flyers easy enough.

There are several shelters in my city, but none of them list on the websites whether they are no kill. I certainly would not take him to one of those. He is a very sweet kitty.

There is an SPCA, Richmond Animal League http://www.ral.org/ and a "Humane Society" one. I have never visited any of them.
 

lsulover

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If he is there when you get home, take him in so he doesn't freeze, poor little thing, I don't think I coulda made him go back outside, and then follow me around the block.

As far as the shelters go, call them and ask them if they are a no kill or not. He doesn't sound like he would have a hard time getting adopted, he sounds like he is so sweet.
 

StefanZ

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Originally Posted by Yosemite

I would bring him in, do up some flyers and post them in the neighbourhood and if you get no reply in a couple days, then you have a choice to make - either keep him (if you think you can get away with it because of the no-pet rule) or find a good no-kill shelter so he/she can find a good home.
yes, something like this is the standard in these cases. help the homecat who is apparently astray - AND seek actively after the owners.
 
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alleygirl

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I did not see the kitty last night, so I'm hoping he found his way home
I'll keep an eye out for him though.
 
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alleygirl

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Well he was out there wandering around again when I first got home yesterday. I unloaded my stuff and went back out to get him, but then he was following a woman walking on the sidewalk. She went into her apartment and let him in after her. I don't think thats where he came from, he truly seemed lost, but I'm thinking maybe she decided to take him in. If I see him outside again, I will take him to her door and ask if he belong there. If not, I will take him in my place until a home can be found for him.
 

ktlynn

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My advice would be to go to the woman's apartment ASAP and mention that you saw "her" kitten outside at night and were concerned about him...you were wondering if he'd gotten out accidentally and/or was lost. You'll find out two things immediately: if the kitten is hers, and if she in fact does let him outside.

If he (or she) is her kitten, and she lets him go outside, find out if he's neutered.

It may turn out, though, that the woman was only able to take him in temporarily, as you did. Since you're willing to help this kitten (thank you!!!) you need to know if he is again outside on his own.
 

lsulover

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Originally Posted by KTLynn

My advice would be to go to the woman's apartment ASAP and mention that you saw "her" kitten outside at night and were concerned about him...you were wondering if he'd gotten out accidentally and/or was lost. You'll find out two things immediately: if the kitten is hers, and if she in fact does let him outside.

If he (or she) is her kitten, and she lets him go outside, find out if he's neutered.

It may turn out, though, that the woman was only able to take him in temporarily, as you did. Since you're willing to help him (thank you!!!) you need to know if he is again outside on his own.
Thats sounds like a great idea, and if he is not hers mabye ya'll can figure somethin out.
 
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