Hi

I moved to a new flat three months ago.

Soon after I moved in I noticed a very friendly tabby cat who would often be sitting near the front security gate.

I love cats and petted him a couple of times. Since then he has got more and more bold and is now spending quite a lot of time in my flat. I let him in and feed him when I get home from work, or when he meeows outside my front door.

The owner lives a couple of doors down. I know he's looked after and well fed because he doesn't always eat food that I put down for him. But he doesn't have a cat flap and it looks like the owner isn't always there to let him in and out.

I'm now getting quite worried because he's staying overnight and is wanting to come in every evening. I think the owners might be worried about him, wondering where he is.

What should I do? I guess I shouldn't let him in any more but it seems so cruel when the weather is really bad like it is now.

If it was my cat I certainly would be really worried if my cat did not come home at night even if he turned up OK during the next day.

You obviously are pretty sure that you have identified the owner - why not either knock on the door and explain or if you feel a bit nervous about that write a really friendly note explaining and pop it through the letterbox.

You want to be really careful that you don't come across suggesting 'bad owner'. Personally I think what you have written here is great - just a tweak or two.

You want to do what is best for the cat and the owner probably wants to do that too. If the owner is away a lot they might be grateful that cat has found a secure and happy place to be.

The problem is that cats can just decide to move owners....not your fault but by letting in and feeding there is encouragement.....

So might be best to come to an arrangemetn with owner - I'll shut up now I am repeating myself

id speak to the owner, if you dont mind having him there then there shouldnt be a problem...

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Let him in and stay as he wishes. Cats are smart enough to know where the grass is greener. If the owner is out, does not have a catflap, they might choose to shut him in. That will probably cause problems for the cat.

If people let their cats go out, as is often the case, then the cat is free to do as he wants. Animals do not understand "ownership". If they meet someone whose home and company they prefer, then that's it.

Someone else's cat used to come sit in my garden for hours on end. I did not feed the cat(he seemed healthy) but he seemed happy to be in MY garden. To the cat it is just a piece of land, and he was happy enough to be away from "his" owner's garden.

Also he was a very shy cat, if he had been friendly, I would have let him in.

I would speak to the owner as well, i use to have a cat that did this at my old house, i spoke to the owner and she was fine she said the cat went round to lots of peoples houses, i use to take her back home after i had given her a fuss.
I would def speak to them though as they will most probably be worried about her i would be. xx

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Some good advice there. I'll raise the subject (in a sensative way) with the owner to see how they feel about it.

Many Thanks

Having to bite my tongue here but why did you "adopt" a cat who you know has an owner who feeds it and cares for it etc etc? why encourage it and feed it etc? cats are opportunists and will always take a free meal or people waiting on them hand and foot ......

I think you ought to confess to the owner pretty sharpish what you have been doing - they may not be very happy so be prepared for that too. I would be furious if someone else had been feeding my cat and keeping it in overnight when they knew who owned it! Not to mention I would have been going frantic wondering where my cat was.

I hope they can see you meant no harm and that this can be resolved.

Confess? The cat has not been sold to a pirate, the cat has been fed and given a place to stay. The cat is an outdoor cat and it's better that people are sympathetic, caring and kind. An outdoor cat can't be accounted for each minute of the day. Outdoor cats and "ownership" don't go together. If you had a dog and you left him to truant around the neighbourhood, someone would end up feeding or allowing him in if he appeared to want that. It's human nature to nurture animals in many cases. People put food out for birds, badgers, foxes, squirrels and other animals. It's really not a mystery why it's so appealing to feed or spend time with any cat or dog that happens to come to you. Also, if you show a cat affection, and the cat likes you, he will often jump through an open window and make himself at home. I have had cats do this, so really, unless people can "train" a cat to never ever visit another human's house, then this highly prized idea of ownership of an outdoor cat is not going to happen.

Cats also leave home to find a more suitable home if there have been changes in the old home such as a new pet, annoying children, lack of stimulus. If I had an outdoor cat I would not mind people feeding the cat or giving him some attention. If the cat was happy to be in their home, then what is there to complain about?

Big Cat: There is a difference between feeding a wild animal (birds/squirrels etc etc) or even a semi feral cat and feeding a cat that is obviously owned and looked after.

The OP must have pangs of conscience that s/he is encouraging the cat to stay by feeding and letting it in and has asked advice. The sensible thing to do is discuss with the owner.

You can't care very much about your outdoor cats if you actively don't give a d+++n where they are spending their time and why the cat doesn't come when called or spends long periods away from home. Most owners would want to know and care.

On another cat forum there is this thread but from the owner's viewpoint:

the Cat Chat Feline Forum: Someone trying to take my cat.

You have to scroll to the bottom and read up.

What is this difference?

That may be so, he/she has not said so. There is no need for guilt or shame in my opinion. You cannot "own" any animal who is free to travel the neighbourhood.

Personal insults are not necessary. Your idea of "care" is not the same as mine. You also have no idea of what cats I have or don't have. As for me not giving a damn, I think you're mistaking me being logical about the situation. As for "most owners" would want to know and care- Wanting to know has nothing to do with how much you ever do know about where your cat is going or what your cat is doing.