This little guy has been visiting my house off and on for a number of months. He has a beautiful swirled tabby coat and the saddest eyes I've ever seen. I've been assuming he belongs to someone who just lets him roam.
On Monday a neighbor posted on our neighborhood forum asking if anyone knows where he lives because he was meowing at her door on Sunday night during a snow storm. Another neighbor replied that he visits her house on another street, and that she calls him Hobo because she doesn't think he belongs to anyone. He's even gone into her house but she can't keep him because one of her cats doesn't like him. (That cat's photo is below, but I'm not convinced it's the same cat.)
At first when he started hanging around I was determined not to feed him because he and my feral boy Mo don't get along either and I didn't want to encourage his visits. In fact, this cat frequently has Mo backed into a corner and I've had to run out and separate them. Of course eventually he found remnants of Mo's food outside which made him hang around even more, so I started giving him a snack so he would move along and not run into Mo.
Mo is older now, not a fighter, and is petrified of him. I've been feeding Mo for over 10 years and he feels safe here, but I fear this cat is going to drive him away. It's quite possible this cat has even taken over Mo's outdoor shelters because I see paw prints in the snow but have no idea who they belong to. It doesn't help matters that this winter has been absolutely brutal and I can go days without even seeing Mo.
We have rescue groups that could find this cat a home if he was truly homeless, but short of knocking on everyone's door in a neighborhood of about 100 houses, how do you find out if a cat belongs to anyone?
I feel terrible for him and want to help him if he needs it, but Mo has to be my first priority. He depends on me and I feel like I've betrayed him. I just don't know what to do. I feel sick over it.
12 comments:
Can you take him to a local shelter or vet and have them scan him for a microchip? Put up some fliers asking if he is anyone's cat? Or put a flier in everyone's mailbox?
We have 2 introoder cats. We don't like them in our yard, but TBT has tried to attract their attention gradually. It hasn't worked yet. They just run when he steps out on the deck.
Oh dear, what a tough spot to be in. Wish we had a solution to offer.
It is such a heartbreak having cats loose outside. Here you are taking care of the wonderful Mo for years providing him a place to sleep and food. You cannot have a younger cat from him off because of his age in the winter time like this he's liable to die. Is there any chance to rescue group could find out if this new cat has a chip in his ear and can be returned to his owner.
Some kitties get along and some don't. It's the way of things. Especially outdoor cats. They are looking for the food and shelter.
Have a fabulous day and rest of the week. ♥
That is so sad. He is a handsome boy. We agree, maybe you could catch him and take him to a good shelter where he can be warm and maybe find a forever home.
Woos - Misty and Timber
We hope you can figure out a way to help this guy and still make sure Mo is safe. Is there more than one outdoor shelter available ? It sounds as if Mo depends on you and this new kitty has other food sources.
I think someone should have the rescue group take him and look for a chip. If not, they can find him a better home than the one he has if he does have one. Poor Mo. :(
Yes, take care of Mo first. Have you the Nextdoor app up there. You could post him on there and maybe someone knows more. It's a tough situation. We have a badass Tom cat showing up and our stable feral family is really fearful of him. Good luck.
You must take care of you and yours before others
That truly is heartbreaking. Is this kitty people friendly? Is there a local rescue that can help you trap this guy, check his microchip, and maybe get him adopted into a loving home?
If he's at your place looking for food and shelter, it's doubtful he has a home. I'd contact the shelter and try to get him placed.
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