- Joined
- Nov 14, 2022
- Messages
- 14
- Purraise
- 20
Hello,
2 Weeks ago we have brought in a 7 month old kitten, we found him outside of our home. We have never seen him before in the neighbourhood, he appeared on that day and proceeded to follow a neighbour to a store 20 minutes away, wait outside, and follow them back. He would follow anyone screaming for food, he had no sense of direction or a home and was willing to jump infront of cars. He was quite weak, not underweight but very weak. He was like a ragdoll and didn't have the energy to protest to being touched anywhere. He was really looking for help. He was able to use the litterbox - somewhat, there were a few accidents which made me doubtful of his previous home if there was any. He did poo outside once, peed on the bed, and had to have a litterbox on every floor to encourage him to use it.
We brought him in and same day took him to check for a microchip - nothing, he was also not neutered. We reported him as found at the vet (which is a massive chain and the only one near us), and then discussed with the vet options. The vet told us to not let him outside as he is young and clearly has no survival skills.
The vet stated that while we could put up found posters many people will claim him just to have a new cat, while we could put up posters saying 'cat found - contact *email*' we felt this would invite hundreds of people in our mailbox and would be impossible to manage. We also believe that the owner should definitely put an effort into finding the cat. We wanted to find loving owners, if there are any, but we wanted to make sure we don't give him away to someone who doesn't care and made no effort to look as he should have already been neutered and microchipped this all felt a bit fishy.
In the end we decided to of course every day check the area and in different parts of the city for posters, as the city isn't big this wasn't too hard, we checked every facebook group for lost cats and dogs 5 times a day, every lost pet site around etc for two weeks everyday. On top of him being reported as found, we were unable to find anyone within 2 weeks. All we found was 2 kittens, same age, same coat, found within a mile..
We now have him in our home, he has been microchipped and had his vaccinations done. He is extremely friendly, super playful and the vet said he sees no trauma but he exhibits some outdoor behaviours. He has bonded with everyone quickly and even meows at the door if anyone leaves for a bit long.
I realise no one can tell me his full history but do any of his behaviours point to a specific scenario? Especially him following a neighbour to a store 20 minutes away, waiting in front of the store and coming back? Following anyone meowing? It sounds like he was looking for his mom but at 7 months old that feels unlikely? Typing this as he is catching his own tail I felt that people who have experience adopting strays may recognise some of the behaviour.
2 Weeks ago we have brought in a 7 month old kitten, we found him outside of our home. We have never seen him before in the neighbourhood, he appeared on that day and proceeded to follow a neighbour to a store 20 minutes away, wait outside, and follow them back. He would follow anyone screaming for food, he had no sense of direction or a home and was willing to jump infront of cars. He was quite weak, not underweight but very weak. He was like a ragdoll and didn't have the energy to protest to being touched anywhere. He was really looking for help. He was able to use the litterbox - somewhat, there were a few accidents which made me doubtful of his previous home if there was any. He did poo outside once, peed on the bed, and had to have a litterbox on every floor to encourage him to use it.
We brought him in and same day took him to check for a microchip - nothing, he was also not neutered. We reported him as found at the vet (which is a massive chain and the only one near us), and then discussed with the vet options. The vet told us to not let him outside as he is young and clearly has no survival skills.
The vet stated that while we could put up found posters many people will claim him just to have a new cat, while we could put up posters saying 'cat found - contact *email*' we felt this would invite hundreds of people in our mailbox and would be impossible to manage. We also believe that the owner should definitely put an effort into finding the cat. We wanted to find loving owners, if there are any, but we wanted to make sure we don't give him away to someone who doesn't care and made no effort to look as he should have already been neutered and microchipped this all felt a bit fishy.
In the end we decided to of course every day check the area and in different parts of the city for posters, as the city isn't big this wasn't too hard, we checked every facebook group for lost cats and dogs 5 times a day, every lost pet site around etc for two weeks everyday. On top of him being reported as found, we were unable to find anyone within 2 weeks. All we found was 2 kittens, same age, same coat, found within a mile..
We now have him in our home, he has been microchipped and had his vaccinations done. He is extremely friendly, super playful and the vet said he sees no trauma but he exhibits some outdoor behaviours. He has bonded with everyone quickly and even meows at the door if anyone leaves for a bit long.
I realise no one can tell me his full history but do any of his behaviours point to a specific scenario? Especially him following a neighbour to a store 20 minutes away, waiting in front of the store and coming back? Following anyone meowing? It sounds like he was looking for his mom but at 7 months old that feels unlikely? Typing this as he is catching his own tail I felt that people who have experience adopting strays may recognise some of the behaviour.