Conference misery::feline_v1

    After making a set of reasonable inquiries (which you have or are
    close to having done), anything you feel is in the best interests
    of the ANIMAL, not the owner, is justifiable.  If it is in need,
    and you are able/willing to fill that need, do it.
    
    Gary

    Sandy, you have my vote for "kind."  If he does have "caretakers,"
    they're not doing very well at it.  Not too smart to let a bruised
    and bedraggled guy like that out -- sounds like he needs healing
    and someone to look after his welfare.  
    
    After another quick check through the papers (should he be at your
    place any length of time I'd assume they'd think him lost), I'd
    proceed to have him neutered and try to find a good home for him.
    
    You're not being nosey at all -- you're just being more fully human.
    
    Maureen

    
    It's wonderful that you're concerned for this poor little guy.
    If you can afford it, I would vote for catching him and having
    him taken to the vet for an exam and to be fixed.  After that,
    if you can find him a home please do so.  It's obvious that even
    if this poor guy does have an owner he isn't capable of caring
    for the furface.  
    
    The best to you and Dinky,
    
    Donna, T.C. and Rocoo
    

    I think you would be doing the kindest thing for the fellow if
    he were neutered and then found a home. Sounds like he doesn't have
    a home, but if he does have one the owners are certainly not 
    taking proper care of him. 
    
    Another thought is that he may have wandered far from his home and 
    cannot get back - and so he might be most grateful to find a new home. 
    I have two cats who were stray toms whom I had neutered and now both 
    are living permanently as indoor cats and NEVER have asked to return 
    to the out-of-doors. Both are good natured and I feel they most likely 
    wandered away from their homes and then couldn't find their owners. 
    I called the humane societies and advertised in the newspapers but had 
    no responses. Toms can wander LONG ways and then not get back home.
                           
    So I'd vote for neutering him and finding him a good home as soon as
    possible because he needs someone to tend to those cuts and to his 
    health in general. He deserves it.
                                   

    Hi,
    
    Your idea of a collar with a note is one that worked for me.  We
    had a 1.5 year old cat that would hang around the house so we started
    feeding it.  Well thats all it took and it decided to stay.  This
    cat too was scratched up and skinny.  I wanted to keep her but was
    real concerned about some little child that might be heart broken
    over the loss of his/her pet.  I put a collar on this cat with a
    note and left it there for a good two weeks and the collar nor the
    note was ever removed so at that point O.C. (stands for OUTSIDE
    CAT) became mine.  We took her to the vet immediately.  She had
    worms and some other things but to this day, she is the most
    affectionate and loving of all my cats.  I wouldn't trade her for the
    world.  
    
    Moral:  Try the note, if nothing else, it will ease your decision!
    
    Karen from Colorado

    I vote for kind too!  You are wonderful Sandy!  If the RSPCA will
    neuter the cat go for it!  Yesterday even!  Since the cat will be
    at a hospital being neutered, I am sure the wounds will be treated
    too! Sounds like he has an abscess or two!  But that is treatable.
    If you do find someone that claims to belong to the cat, well, tell
    them to talk to us!
    
    Best of luck to you!  You are to be commended!
    
    Jean

    I agree with the neutering part.  And since Dinky likes him so much
    maybe you could even keep him?  ;-)
    
    Karen, Tristan and Tenzing.

    Try the note on the collar.  If the owner did notice it, they
    would probably be too ashamed about neglecting their cat to keep
    it.  I can't imagine letting my cats go through such a terrible
    life--those people who own him (if anyone still does) are not fit
    to have him.  Having him neutered won't harm him (he's obviously
    not for breeding!).  
    
    Also, my sister adopted a cat with a broken tail and many of the
    other problems that this tom has.  The tail had to be stitched at
    the top because the scabs would not heal on their own (the tail
    was 2/3 gone).  She had him neutered at the same time.  Now he is
    very happy and healthy.  It is comical to see him wave his tail.
    
    If you can adopt him, he would make a nice friend for your kitty.
    
    From across the deep blue,
    
    Cathy

    
    
    
    
    Thank you so much for all your kind and caring advice about
    the poor tatty tom who comes home for tea with my cat Dinky!
    
    I have now rung Sue May the lady who looks after the RSPCA
    cats in my area and they should have a place for him to 
    stay while recovering within the next two weeks.  In the
    meantime I shall try to 'tame' him a bit more into coming
    indoors if he wants to, buy him a flea collar (and spray
    he if he needs it) and generally make him feel at home.
    
    The RSPCA have said they will pay for his treatment but if
    I can put a bit by towards this I will do as I feel he
    came to me for help because Dinky sort of 'told' him in
    some way that it was o.k. to come back home with her!
    (Maybe I'm getting daft in my old age!!)
    
    One more thing, at the moment (because of the state he's in)
    we affectionately call him "fleabag"!! Not a nice name though
    for a stocky boy who will probably be quite presentable when
    tidied up - any ideas of a nice boyish name that would go with
    Dinky and suit my description of him in the original note?
    Any suggestions would be welcome!
    
    Lastly - a silly thing I thought I would tell you all about.
    I love the names people use for 'cat' i.e., feline, kitty,
    furface so I feel I must confess to the word made up by
    me when a child and which has 'stuck' to the extent that
    my boyfriend uses it too - 'poolie'.  I don't know why
    or what made me use the word when small, but a road near
    us is called "Poolies Corner" and we smile everytime we
    see a cat sitting near the sign!!
    
    Thanks again,
    
    SANDY.
    Dinky's Mum and guardian of 'fleabag'!
    

    You will go to heaven!

    I WISH MORE PEOPLE WERE LIKE YOU....
    
    I FEED MY NEIGHBORS CAT ALL THE TIME, SEEMS THEY NEVER FEED HIM,
    OR ARE TOO BUSY GOING OUT AND NOT REALLY INTERESTED IN THEIR CAT.
    
    HOPEFULLY "FLEABAG" WILL TURN OUT TO BE A GREAT CAT, AND A BROTHER
    TO YOUR CAT.
    
    TAKE CARE,
    
    

    I'm so happy you decided to take care of him....he'll make a wonderful
    pet, they know when someone has done something nice and kind for
    them and he'll love you forever.  And I bet Dinky is happy too!
    Best of luck to you with your new friend :-)
    
    Erin
                       

    
    
    Hello,
    
    Just a quickie note to say that 'fleabag' has now been
    given a name "Robinson" - short for Robinson Crusoe
    as he appears to be a bit of a castaway!!  He has 
    shown a great deal of intelligence for a cat so badly
    treated and answers to his name now. 
    
    Yesterday he spent all day sleeping on a bean bag with
    Dinky and they are getting on wonderfully.
    
    Today, I'm sitting here nervously waiting for the 'phone
    to ring as Robinson is currently at the vet's being
    neutered and tidied up a bit - just hope he's o.k.
    
    Tim and I will be fostering him for a while, but I
    reckon at this rate we will end up keeping him - he's
    really got quite fond of us and vice versa!
    
    As for the vet - he was relieved to see I had a more
    usual animal (a cat) for him today and not the half-
    run-over hedgehogs and worn out pidgeons I turn up
    with!!!  The last casualty was a pidgeon walking around
    in the reception here at Digital after the wind blew
    him into the side of the building and almost knocked
    him out!!  
    
    Maybe I've missed my vocation in life - every waif and
    stray there is seems to seek me out!!
    
    Anyway, a happy ending I hope at last for Robinson -
    if he does come to live with us I will, of course, include
    him in any other notes I put on here.
    
    Love to you all and your cats,
    
    Sandy
    Basingstoke,
    U.K.