How Can I Help This Cat? I'm not sure if he's a stray or not.

I would take him to the vet.  The vet can check for a micro chip.  If there isn't one, you could step up to care for him.  You want to get a clean bill of health and also look into neutering him.  The safest place for him would be inside if that is possible.  It may take him some time to adjust, but he can.

If you do decide to keep him, it would be best for him to have a room of his own while adjusting to your home.  This would be his base camp.  He would have a litter box, food/water, comfy bed and maybe a perch or cat tree to look outside.  You would want to be sure that the room is cat proofed.  If you have a bed in the room, be sure to block underneath or put the bed flat on the floor.  You don't want him going under there and then not being able to get him.  Also watch behind other large furniture.

As for a litter box, if he is used to going outside, it may take a bit to adjust.  Sometimes you need two boxes and sometimes you need to add a little soil to the box. 

Thank you for helping this sweet one.  Keep us updated.

From what you described I wouldn't worry about "stealing anyones cat" because you are rescuing that cat from what would have been a short and uncomfortable life. If that was my cat and I lost the cat I wouldn't have a problem with you caring for it. I wouldn't see it as stealing my cat. My cats are id chipped and if it was my cat I would appreciate you checking.

I would also like to thank you for helping that cat.

I would take the cat! That would be it.. it would be mine. A house cat.

I would take it to the Vet, first for a through check-up and spay or neuter. Then kitty would come home with me. If he did not answer to the name of Toby, I would change his name to something else. 

You have shown kindness to this poor cat. It is obvious that he has bonded with you and you with him---so go for it!

Thank you for caring for this poor kitty.. Good Luck!!

Let ups know how things turn out.

I did find out who this cat belonged to. I saw him outside with his owner and kids. Iv'e asked my parents about bringing the cat to the vet, but the only thing is that they don't want to because it's someone else's.

Maybe you could put some fliers up. Act like you think it is stray, it looks stray from what you describe. Ask if they have seen the cat and if they do call you so you can take it to a vet or Humane Society. Maybe you could guilt them into taking the cat to the vet if it is their cat. From what you describe it needs to go to a vet or Humane Society. Likely needs deworming medication, shots, etc. Seeing it on their property doesn't necessarily make it their cat, may be stray and they feed it and give it attention like you. If it is someones cat they don't have the right to neglect taking care of it. Skinny, scabby, infected, flea infested cat is severe neglect.

I hope you manage to get the cat the help it needs.

I think I might just go over to their house and ask them if it's a stray or not. If it's not im just going to take him and convince my parents to bring him to the vet. If he belongs to them I'm going to say he's been coming to my house for food and he doesn't look well taken care of. Does that sound like a good idea?

Tatiana10106 said:

I think I might just go over to their house and ask them if it's a stray or not. If it's not im just going to take him and convince my parents to bring him to the vet. If he belongs to them I'm going to say he's been coming to my house for food and he doesn't look well taken care of. Does that sound like a good idea?

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That sounds very reasonable.  Thank you so much for caring so much to be sure that he is getting the best care.  You are to be commended for your efforts.  Please let us know how it turns out.

Thanks so much for the advice. Yesterday my mom bought him food and toys. We already have a lot of animals and I'm not sure if he will pay for the vet bill, but I did look up a cat rescue for stray cats right in our area. I might contact them and see if they could help with deworming and shots.

Tatiana10106 said:

Thanks so much for the advice. Yesterday my mom bought him food and toys. We already have a lot of animals and I'm not sure if he will pay for the vet bill, but I did look up a cat rescue for stray cats right in our area. I might contact them and see if they could help with deworming and shots.

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Not only do you want deworming and shots, but it's most important he be neutered.  You don't want him wandering and impregnating females thus producing more and more kittens.  Most rescue groups will have the cat neutered along with shots and worming.

I will. 2 years ago there was a litter of kittens that were feral. They take care of themselves better than this cat, which is why I think he's a stray or he belongs to someone that doesn't care for him. Now that I think of it there's another feral cat that looks exactly like him. Maybe Toby was socialized when he was a kitten.

Good to hear you don't give up easy

If I were you I would just act like it is a stray cat. I wouldn't ask if it was I would imply it is. The cat is in the condition of a stray cat so I think you could easily imply it is. This way you are not border line accusing them of neglecting the cat. If they are neglecting the cat I sure hope they get the hint when you call it stray. Who knows, maybe they are just being nice like you but not nice enough to take it the step further like you.

And most definitely what ShadowsRescue  said about neuter. Not only do you not want it creating more cats you also don't want it spraying in your house. Can't fault a cat for spraying in your house if you don't get him neutered. Like you can't fault a female cat for howling to get outside in the middle of the night if you don't get her spayed.

Ok. Right now I'll do as much as I can to help him. But I do feel that I have to ask the neighbors if he actually belongs to him, otherwise my parent are not going to let him stay. I will even sneak him in if I have to. If he does keep coming here for a couple weeks more, I bet my parents will just let him live here.

You have a heart of gold. Sneak him in... You could always call a cat rescuer, your neighbor would be a fool to come out and claim a neglected cat while cat rescue people are getting it. Just play stupid and say he is a stray cat. It is a crappy thing to do to your neighbor but not as crappy as what they are doing to that cat if it is theirs. Then tell your neighbors you thought it was stray because he looked stray.

Or can discuss the "stray cat" with your neighbor, if they say he isn't stray then leave it at that and hope they get the hint. You are asking them in a roundabout way if it is theirs. Something like "hey you know that stray cat with the scabs on his nose, I was thinking of taking ownership of him and getting my parents to take him to the vet..."

The deworming medication isn't much money and you could start by getting a pill from a vet. Just put it in some wet food and he'll gobble it down, it is a good start and easy to do. He probably won't like it but maybe put some flea powder on him or something to start tackling the flea problem. Every little bit you can do for the cat is a lot.

I sure hope your neighbor says "oh ya the stray cat..." Hate to think your neighbor neglects animals to the degree you have described. I hope it is stray and your neighbor offers to help, that would be a happy ending for all

I will sneak him in tonight and try my best to care for him That's a picture of his paws above.

You are a beautiful person, keep it up, not enough people in the world like you.

Thank you so much. I'll keep you updated on him

Toby is so lucky to have you to care and advocate for him [emoji]128571[/emoji]
We need more people like you in the world T tatiana10106

I think it's a great sign that your mom bought food and toys for him [emoji]128522[/emoji]
Can't wait to hear how things go...he sounds like a lovely boy who just needs some TLC [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

Thanks[emoji]128522[/emoji] hellomisskitty . I'm getting a natural wormer called Diatomaceous Earth for Toby and this weekend I plan on giving him a bath and putting tick and flea repellent on him. I also have an ear cleaner I'm going to use tonight if he comes