What is appropriate?

We were adapted by a nutered male, 1-2 years old. It was without collar, free of ticks and flees, and by its behavior a very loved house cat, probably accustomed to children. It goes out only to relieve itself. It was ill when it came in, and underweight. I judge it hadn't eaten for about two weeks.
We sought its owner without success, will try more aggressively after New Year's day.
A family with young children, seeing my ad, wants to adapt this cat. It has very much settled here and may find the move traumatizing, or it may adjust easily, I don't know.
My question is this. How long and in what manner should I seek the original caregiver, and should I allow this interested party adapt the cat?

I don't know how long you should seek the original owners but allowing another family to adopt the cat is completly up to you. Do you have any interest in keeping him yourself?

Originally Posted by twstychik

I don't know how long you should seek the original owners but allowing another family to adopt the cat is completly up to you. Do you have any interest in keeping him yourself?

Click to expand...

I agree. If you dont find the original owners, the cat IS yours and you have "first shot" on him.

If you by any reason cant or dont want to keep him, it is suitable to find him a new good home.
He seems to be a social cat, so he will surely manage.


If this family, beside their willingness, seems appropriate to you (would you sell your own raised kittens to them?*) - so great, your problem will be solved, this way or another.

And you earning a plus for your good deed.



*Perhaps agree with them they pay a sum for the cat to the Red Cross, Doctors without boundaries or something like that, in the name of the cat.
If they dont afford - let them promise to work as volunteers as is appropriate for them.
People tend to think: what is free is also without worth. If they really wants the cat, they will also be happy to do this extra, good deed.

Thus, the sum of good deeds here will be doubled, AND the cat saved.

Originally Posted by Balwanz

My question is this. How long and in what manner should I seek the original caregiver, and should I allow this interested party adapt the cat?

Click to expand...

The only thing I can say here is take the cat to a vet or animal shelter that can scan for a microchip, he may have one.

As for how long?
You never said how long he'd been with you.
I would think that at least two-three weeks of serious searching would be plenty.
By serious I mean contacting all the vets and animal shelters within a few miles (cats can roam quite far) and show his picture to them, put up fliers in those places as well.

If you cannot find his owners doing all these things and you do not wish to keep him yourself then it is very appropriate to place him in a suitable home.