Stray cat - WWYD

I would not chase the woman who did not turn up. If she wanted the cat she could at least have contacted you and made another arrangement to pick her up. She is obviously in no hurry.

WoodLane7 I too have been in this situation. I wasn't in the market for another cat but she mysteriously appeared and refused to leave. She is my shadow cat, a lovely gentle soul who at some point has been owned and has been used to other cats. I did everything I could think of: local FB groups/cat rescues, posters round the village, messages left with all local vets, paper collar in case she was owned locally by someone not on social media. I had a couple of people come to see her as they thought she might be their lost cat...... they weren't sure, though in fairness she is black with no real distinguishing features. My vet was really supportive and after four weeks he was happy that I'd taken all reasonable measures to find her owner and that I was quite certain about keeping her. He had that microchip in faster than you could blink. Strangely she was neutered but not microchipped and doesn't have the clipped ear that the trap/neuter/release charities use to denote feral cats that they have treated.
She was a special gift from somewhere as I had to have our beloved 19 year old tabby PTS early in the year and she has been such a comfort in my grief.
I think your instincts are correct. Get her microchipped and she is yours

You have done everything right to find out its owner. Well done you. As the cat isn't registered to anyone, I think you can safely say she's yours congratulations lucky pus cat.

loopylou

OP has already stated the cat has been taken to the vet, but no microchip.

As of June 24th all cats in England should be microchipped.
You should take it to the vet and see if its owner is registered . If not adopt it!
Lucky you!

You now have another cat. Do not contact the woman again!

If she turns up tell the cat left of it's own accord. If it was hers and she loved it she would have turned up.

It frightens me the people that take cats (and dogs) with no evidence that they are fit to own them and don't want them for horrible reasons.

My sister recently took in a very young, female cat who was living rough in the nearby park. She made all the usual enquiries but failed to find an owner.

The cat is now very much part of the family and rules my sister's other cats with a paw of iron. The other cats are elderly bachelors who seem to regard her with amused tolerance.

On the subject owners reclaiming their cats; we used to have a large female British Blue cat. Once we found a small Blue Burmese had been lurking outside our house for several days so we took him in and made enquiries. A man claiming to be his owner turned up and when our British Blue answered the door with us he exclaimed "That's him! I'd know him anywhere." Needless to say we did not let him take either cat away. Luckily, we were able to contact the real owners via our vet.

Quite tricky. I would be inclined to contact the woman and ask if there had been a change of mind, or would she like to make another appointment to pick up the cat? At least then you would have some definite information to work on.
Although cats do have their own opinions too.