A Dilemma

I would definitely ask an animal shelter to look after it pro tem.

I assume you have the cat at your house, or are you going over to feed? Has the family compensated you for food/litter?

If I were you I would contact the family with a kindly worded deadline, understanding that they are more worried about their Mum than her cat, but it is also their responsibility.

As cat is not mine, I dont think I can ask this.

RSPCA will not intervene if animal has food/ water, I cannot leave her starving whilst waiting for them to visit.

I wont be available next few days, meanwhile poor thing will be neglected.

CG both in mine,and at cats home, but cat has been sick in hidden corners,and clawing furniture.

I have stopped cat coming in mine, but it is a struggle to prevent coming in as desperate to be here.

Think I will have to be really firm with the family, who consists of an older sister,son many miles away.

Woman also has a fiance.

Sister and fiance also have older cats so will not take in.

Poor little cat. Perhaps report it to the cats protection league or another shelter.

What loopyloo says

Just messaged sister again saying all I have on here hope something can be sorted.⁰

I am being guilt tripped at the moment by sister.

Is the owner well enough for a visit? Perhaps she has suggestions for her cat. She may well be worried about her cat. If not perhaps family should be discussing arrangements with her. There may be a social worker involved if she needs residential care who could help too.

I would also go down the Cats’ Protection League route. It might sound harsh but if the family won’t cooperate then it’s a stray cat and not your responsibility.

Surely the cat could be put into a cattery as a temporary measure? Though if it’s not up to date with vaccines, that could be a problem.

I dont know the owner well enough to visit

We say hello as we pass by.

Have had to get quite heavy, although I hate it,it isnt in my nature to be like it , probably how I got roped in.

I am hoping this will be sorted tomorrow.

Thanks for letting me run this past you all, and for the advice and support I have received.

I hate myself for not being able to take the poor cat, this isnt her fault, so sad.

Easier said than done downtoearth but don't allow her to guilt trip you. Tell her when you're going away and arrangements will need to be made by then, or you'll have to take the poor thing to a rescue centre.

Maybe ask her what her sister would think about how they're not looking out for her cat.

Hi , could you just go over twice a day to feed the cat . I’ve done that for neighbours .

Don't feel bad about not taking her, you've cared for her the last few weeks & it doesn't sound like anyone else would have bothered. Someone will probably take her & give her a loving home if she goes to cat protection league or similar.

Stand firm. There are animal charities who would foster the cat until a decision was made. If they have animal insurance, there should be an allowance for kennelling the cat. Just write and tell them you will not be looking after the cat any more and it is up to them to sort things out.

Dont punish the poor cat for inconsiderate family. Get her to Cats Protection or similar asap for both your sakes. If family do not like it then they should make arrangements but sounds as if left to them they will just leave her outside to fend for herself or even worse take her somewhere unknown to the poor cat & dump her! Please get advice from CP or other Rescues?

Speak to the family to suggest it go to a shelter for the time being. Our dog went back to the breeder while my late husband was in hospital. The cat is not your responsibilitythe family should take over one way or another. I don't like cats so I wouldn't do it.

Contact the Cinnamon Trust, they are a charity for just these type of circumstances, supporting the elderly and their cats if the owner dies, falls ill or has to move to residential accommodation. Cats Protection is another charity that will step in when an owner is no longer able to look after their cat. Please don't abandon her, it's not her fault, and she must be so unhappy, lonely and confused that her owner is no longer there to look after her.

I too suggest that the cat goes to a cattery which the woman herself or her family can pay for.
I think you should look up catteries or boarding kennels in your area and offer the family that you will bring the cat there to help them out.
That will ensure the cat is looked after by a professional for the time till the woman can make a decision.
Hope that wherever the woman goes the cat then can go with her. Quite a few residential homes are willing to take a person with a cat, I know the one I worked at did.

If the owner has pet insurance she may well have cattery cover in the event of her illness. My cat's insurance covers this.

Contact Cats' Protection League. They have a list of local cat fosterers who step in in situations just like this.

Unfortunately dont know woman that well.

She dosent have money, she is on benfits.

Have rung both RSPCA, and cats protection, and told the sister I had.

Neither RSPCA, or CPL interested as not have ownershop or POA.
passed from pillar to post.

Sent angry message to sister saying what I had done.

Cat collected within 20 minutes.

Think that urine has been extracted

Thanks for suggestions and support.
I hate getting snotty, but it worked.

Animal rescue charities are overwhelmed at the moment. Many people can no longer afford to look after their pets and dump them. Could you ask other neighbours to help?

Wow - really a case of no good deed ,,,