So, I went outside tonight and a short-haired orange cat walked right up to me (and it wasn't Belle or Delilah). I'm pretty sure he was a boy. He was super friendly - rubbing up against my legs, jumping up to be petted, rolling on his back for a belly rub, purring, etc.
A couple weeks ago, the kid from downstairs came up and asked me if I was missing a cat. I did a head count, and no, both cats were where they were supposed to be. Apparently there was an orange cat in the basement, that must have climbed in through an open window. My boyfriend has seen him around once or twice since.
He's got a decent amount of "meat" on him, and is quite soft. He was being so sweet, that against my better judgement, I brought him down a couple of my girls' treats. He gobbled them up like there was no tomorrow. When I went inside, he wanted to come with me but stayed outside when I said "no."
I'm pretty sure he's someone's pet, given how friendly and good shape he was in. However, I can't be sure. I live in a town that's been hugely affected by the downturn in the manufacturing sector, and I know people "dump" their pets during these times.
Should I do anything? I feel horrible leaving him out there all alone without food/water if he doesn't have a home. This guy just loves love! I don't think I could really take him in anyway (Belle and Delilah don't seem to have much desire for friends...and isolating would be tricky, although not impossible) and all the local shelters are full and not taking new animals. I could leave food and water on the porch for the time being, until something further could be done.
On the other hand, if he has a home, he's just a friendly visitor with owners whose decision to let their cat outdoors I don't really agree with.
If he's a boy, I imagine he's neutered - only because there were two smaller cats around (I'm going to be the crazy cat lady, soon), one of whom looked female, and he had no interest in either. He wasn't being cooperative when we tried to look at his "parts", however.
Any advice on what I should do, if anything?
We'll see if he's out there when I come out tomorrow. He didn't seem to have much interest in going anywhere while I was in and out of the house. He was faithfully waiting for me to come back out each time!
A couple weeks ago, the kid from downstairs came up and asked me if I was missing a cat. I did a head count, and no, both cats were where they were supposed to be. Apparently there was an orange cat in the basement, that must have climbed in through an open window. My boyfriend has seen him around once or twice since.
He's got a decent amount of "meat" on him, and is quite soft. He was being so sweet, that against my better judgement, I brought him down a couple of my girls' treats. He gobbled them up like there was no tomorrow. When I went inside, he wanted to come with me but stayed outside when I said "no."
I'm pretty sure he's someone's pet, given how friendly and good shape he was in. However, I can't be sure. I live in a town that's been hugely affected by the downturn in the manufacturing sector, and I know people "dump" their pets during these times.
Should I do anything? I feel horrible leaving him out there all alone without food/water if he doesn't have a home. This guy just loves love! I don't think I could really take him in anyway (Belle and Delilah don't seem to have much desire for friends...and isolating would be tricky, although not impossible) and all the local shelters are full and not taking new animals. I could leave food and water on the porch for the time being, until something further could be done.
On the other hand, if he has a home, he's just a friendly visitor with owners whose decision to let their cat outdoors I don't really agree with.
If he's a boy, I imagine he's neutered - only because there were two smaller cats around (I'm going to be the crazy cat lady, soon), one of whom looked female, and he had no interest in either. He wasn't being cooperative when we tried to look at his "parts", however.
Any advice on what I should do, if anything?
We'll see if he's out there when I come out tomorrow. He didn't seem to have much interest in going anywhere while I was in and out of the house. He was faithfully waiting for me to come back out each time!