loz
Newbie
Posts: 12 
Pets I own: 3 cats and 2 rabbits
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Post by loz on Jun 23, 2015 9:59:19 GMT
Just need a bit of advice, as not sure what to do here.
We have 3 cats in our household - Smudge is nearly 9 years old and then Jenson & Button (brother & sister from same litter) who have just turned 5. They all have free access to outside but Smudge & Button always prefer to stay at home most of the time.
Jenson has always been a wanderer ever since we had him from a kitten but he would always come home for tea. However, over the last year we have seen less & less of him. It used to be that we would go 2-3 days without seeing him, then he'd disappear for a week before returning. In October last year we went over 2 weeks without seeing him and I ended up knocking on doors, putting up posters, delivering flyers and contacting Pet Search websites etc. It turned out that Jenson had made himself comfortable round at another ladies house about 5 minutes walk away.
The trouble is, she lets him in her house & he sits on her sofa all day. I've asked her to put him out so he can come home and not to feed him - she says she does all that, but he's always round there whenever I'm looking for him. I can't keep him in, he likes to go out when he's at home, so what do I do?
I've two young children (aged 6 & 3) that are missing their cat and so am I! The trouble is that Jenson is a real softie and just wants attention & food. He's a beautiful, big ginger cat and very loving - but he's mine!!
He is neutered & microchipped and now due his boosters so I have to ring this woman & ask for my cat back so I can take him to the vets, just for him to leave home again. This woman makes a real fuss of him & says she used to have cats before and I think she's taking him off me. She gets all the benefits & I just get the vets bills.
I'm not sure what I should actually say to her - I don't want to get nasty in case she keeps him & won't give him back, but I want my cat back where he belongs.
What can I do?
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Post by scallywag on Jun 23, 2015 10:15:33 GMT
Oooooo how frustrating and sad for you. I'm from the other side so not a lot of help here but just wanted to say Hi and hope you can get this sorted
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loz
Newbie
Posts: 12
Pets I own: 3 cats and 2 rabbits
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Post by loz on Jun 23, 2015 10:20:31 GMT
Thanks for reading my post - and yes it is frustrating!  |
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Post by scallywag on Jun 23, 2015 11:11:36 GMT
Thanks for reading my post - and yes it is frustrating! Don't worry loz others will read and respond but we all mostly work tonib pops on during the day but it does get quiet on here during the day, lotsofcats and I mostly multy task between work and sneaking a peek on here  |
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Post by tonib on Jun 23, 2015 11:12:37 GMT
Hi loz, I looked back on the forum as I seemed to remember something like this before & see that you posted about Smudge's long period away back in September 2014. At the time you didn't know where he'd been, at least you do know where to find hi now, not that its much comfort. I was going to suggest keeping him in for a while to break the cycle but I see you can't keep him in but regardless of what he likes it maybe worth trying, after all if he was injured or unwell then I'm sure you'd manage it even if it meant all 3 cats were kept in. As the owner of 4 cats which are all allowed out & with one being a ginger male who despite being neutered still wanders long distances, I do appreciate how difficult it can be. We're lucky & have space & no young children to factor in. As to what to say to the lady, I'm not sure other than asking her calmly but firmly not to let him into her house or feed him. You say she used to have cats, is there any reason she doesn't now? If not then what about suggesting she might like to get one for herself & maybe offer to help her look at all the cats available at local rescues - I'm sure there will be plenty. Perhaps one that needs to be kept as a house cat. |
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Post by lotsofcats on Jun 23, 2015 15:40:07 GMT
It is frustrating when a cat does that - they are fickle creatures!! I had a cat called Kimberley years ago and she used to disappear and I found out she was in the house 2 doors up from me. I was a bit annoyed as I would be out calling her in the night to get her in and the woman must have heard me and I didn't find out for ages. I know how you feel, in fact it makes you feel quite evil!!! but a cat will do as he pleases unfortunately - at least you know he is safe and well. Like you say it is maddening that you get the vet fees and she's getting the best of him. I would just go there and make a joke of it and say "our shared cat needs to go to the vet for his boosters". The only thing you can do is try keeping him in a bit so you get some of his time.
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Post by cazypops on Jun 23, 2015 20:55:22 GMT
I don't think I'm the right person to advise you as this is how I ended up with two cats. Both from the same house. One started coming in, I didn't at first know where he was coming from. Then the next thing I know another one followed. It was a hot summer and I had the windows open, and in they jumped. The older one who I called Flirty used to go in nearly every house on the estate except his own. I didn't encourage him or Bandit, so I can believe the lady when she says that she is doing as you ask. If he wants to go there then unfortunately there will be no stopping him. I think as the others have said I'd try and keep him in for a while, give him lots of fuss and treats so he want to be with you, that or try and give him some quiet space in you house as that is maybe the reason he's gone else where. I hope you can get this resolved. |
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Post by ebony on Jun 23, 2015 20:57:59 GMT
All you can do is keep him in so you get some time with him and suggest to the lady that she gets her own cat.
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Post by migsy on Jun 23, 2015 21:54:37 GMT
I'm sure I would be upset too.If you have asked the lady not to feed him,she should respect that as it seems a bit like enticing him now she knows he is someones pet and not hungry.She really would be better giving a home to a cat of her own from a cat shelter,that way she would be doing some real good for one desperate for a good home.
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Post by cazypops on Jun 23, 2015 22:59:27 GMT
migsy, if the lady is anything like me, I didn't want any cats. I didn't entice and I put them out, but as soon as I turned my back they were back in, and before I knew what was happening they had moved in bag and baggage. It's just possible that as much as loz and her children love and miss him Jenson is trying to escape the children and just get some peace and quiet.
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Post by migsy on Jun 23, 2015 23:11:07 GMT
I agree caz,and I know cats chose their homes,but the lady isn't helping matters by feeding the cat,as it doesn't need feeding.If she stops feeding it and it still insists on visiting, then there is nothing anyone can do,it will just show he enjoys having two families.
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Post by scallywag on Jun 24, 2015 6:36:55 GMT
Maybe cazypops has hit the nail on the head, if Jenson is a cat that loves fuss etc and is getting a one to one with this Lady, instead of having to deal with 2 other cats and 2 children Looks like hes made up his mind sadly. Keep us updated what you decide to do I as a non cat owner would be fery interested of the outcome . Good luck x |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2015 10:02:36 GMT
Like you say it is maddening that you get the vet fees and she's getting the best of him. I would just go there and make a joke of it and say "our shared cat needs to go to the vet for his boosters".
And ask her to cough up HALF the cost seeing as she has kind-of 'adopted' him as her own 
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Post by Roo on Jun 24, 2015 15:28:06 GMT
Like you say it is maddening that you get the vet fees and she's getting the best of him. I would just go there and make a joke of it and say "our shared cat needs to go to the vet for his boosters".
And ask her to cough up HALF the cost seeing as she has kind-of 'adopted' him as her own
I bet she will try a lot harder to keep him away after this! |
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loz
Newbie
Posts: 12
Pets I own: 3 cats and 2 rabbits
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Post by loz on Jun 24, 2015 20:47:24 GMT
Well eventually she answered my calls - said she had been away for a couple of days, but then said she'd left a door slightly open so Jenson could still get in! If that's not encouraging him, then I don't know what is!!
She's also said that she used to have her own cats, but since her & her husband are now retired they felt they couldn't afford the vets bills & insurance etc. - so just take in somebody else's cat and let them pay the bills!
I've asked her again not to feed him and she said she didn't but must think I'm stupid because I noticed a food bowl with cat biscuits in it, pushed under the sofa. I've also asked that she turfs him out in the afternoon so that he might come home - telling her my daughter is really upset etc.
I got Jenson to the vets after collecting him and asked her advice. She said at least I know where to find him and maybe I should keep asking to fetch him more often and just keep asking not to feed him etc. Took him home and he sat on the sofa with me for the rest of the morning and then went and lay in the garden with Smudge & Button for a while, but then disappeared mid-afternoon. Then this woman rings me up again just after to let me know he was back round at her house! Talk about rub my nose in it.
I don't want to kick up a fuss as I'm wary she'll keep him for good. We want to move house, so hopefully we can sell quickly and then I'll collect him and take him with us. Just keep going to 'visit him' as the vet suggested and maybe she'll get sick of us turning up.
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