stray or lost? ... cat at our gate

Hi there!

I was opening the main gate to the building where I live and noticed a bog long haired black cat. It was dark already, I wouldn't have seen him if it wasnt for his big eyes starring at me. I could sense he was asking for food.

Luckily I was coming back from the supermarket with some kitten wet food for the 3 orphans im fostering (similar to fancy feast but more gelly) so I fed him a bag.

I tried to touch him but ibsensed he was scared so I retreated without making any noise.

He seemed to me like a house cat though but I couldn't tell exactly.

Now I am not sure what to do. I also have no idea if ill see him again. Im only here for a couple more months so I am not sure if thats sufficient for him to let me touch him to at least vaccinate him.

It's pretty uncommon for a cat to actually get lost, unless of course something happened, like the family moved to their new home, the cat didn't have time to acclimate and was allowed out, or escaped.

Greatest chance would be a dumped/abandoned cat, since he is obviously not accustomed to finding his own food.

You can bet he will be back again for more food. Play it by ear, the more often he gets food with you, the more safe he will feel with you, and you will know soon enough if he can be touched.

Poor thing is likely just hesitant of strangers, as most cats adapt to the family they have, and become shyer with strangers, especially when that stranger is met outside of their safe home where they are alot more confident.

He may also belong to newcomers in your complex and is scoping out his new territory.  Any way you can check that out?  If no one claims him, please try to trap him and get him some help.

A long haired cat should not be outside.  Their hair mats so quickly and can pull pieces of their skin off.  That wound becomes infected and the whole thing just gets awful.

Thanks for being concerned and helping him!

How much you help him depends of course on how much you can and want...

Lets discuss you ARE willing to help him.

IF you believe he got astray or got freshly dumped, you must help him as soon you can. Preferably take him inside.

It is NOT enough you do "have your eyes open".  Because:

The death ratio is the highest for the new bes...    If they survived several weeks and still are in OK shape, they have decent chances to stay on in life for years.

Him being shy isnt no quarantee for anything.  I have noticed quite a few of my neighbours outgoing cats ARE shy to strangers, including me although Im always talking friendly with them...  Also, a cat who happened to get astray may be a shy one by himself.  so was it with our oldest resident who got astray but got back  - and this is so I did come into this, helping strays and astrays...

So, the recipe is to help him, preferably by taking inside, AND seek out his owners.  If it is say a new arrived neighbour.

If you think it is a homeless for real - there is not so much hurry. But spaying /neutering is the priority, vaccinating a much lesser priority.  with this castrathing  you can prob get some help from some rescue group nearby, and or find a cheap spaying clinic.

Tx for caring!

Good luck!

Your best bet is to try and make friends with him.  Feed him, sit down and spend time talking to him while he eats, and see if he will come to you.  It could take awhile for him to trust you enough to let you pet him.  Once you can do that then work on trying to get him into a pet carrier and get him to the vet to have him scanned for a chip.  If you run out of time then you may have to resort to a humane trap.  While working on befriending him ask around with your neighbors and see if anyone owns him, call the vets and shelter and let them know you found a cat, if you can get a decent picture put up some flyers. 

He may be an indoor only cat that escaped, or his family may have moved  and he got out or he may have been rehomed and got out before being acclimated to his new home.  Worse case is that he was dumped.  Since he appeared where you could see him and didn't run off right away he sounds like he's pretty friendly and hopefully you can make friend quickly if he hangs around.