Is she a stray???UPDATE - 2

[Laura's Babies]

Put a paper collar on her asking "Is this your pet?" and your phone number.. That is what some do if they think one may have a home but are not sure. Somebody is feeding her, maybe everybody is? This way you can find out.

[kimlovescats]

In my opinion, she is a stray if no one is taking better care of her, or even putting some identification on her. If she has been found wandering by others besides you and has obviously been injured in some way recently ... I would take her in and either keep her, or rehome her. Of course, you can place an ad first to see if her owner cares enough to look for her! Good luck!

Kim

[moosmom]

Abra Cadabra, Alacazam - POOF!!! That's what I'd do. It's obvious that an idiot irresponsible pet owner isn't doing their job.

Poor baby.

[Catty1]

Thanks for all the input so far. I have thought about the collar - making it out of elastic from my sewing basket and attaching a note to that...I will make sure it is something stretchy that will pull off her if she gets caught.

If the collar is still there after several days, I will know she has no home.

I would take her to the vet first - and I have two cats already in my 2 bdrm condo(one of which is the office), so not sure where I would keep her...

My friend Donna who was over for dinner could keep her in the 'shop' at her place, since she is an outdoor kitty...but doesn't know how her other two cats would like it.

Will start with the collar. Any other advice appreciated.

Thanks!

Catty1

[Catty1]

Well, I made a collar this morning - out of an OLD but stretchy bra strap in my sewing basket(doesn't look like one, though!). Oscar was the model for proper length, and was very good about it.

I taped a small bit of notepaper around it, with a note and my phone number(no name), and when I went outside this morning, another neighbour was there with her! He calls her Rosie - and he and his partner and the kids love her - she goes into their place all the time, but doesn't eat. So we think she has a home.

I hope the people call - if they refuse to take "Rosie" to the vet, I will offer to and cover the cost. They might be loving but poor. Depending on their attitude, they might NOT get her back!

Rosie was fine with the collar, and trotted off in the direction I think she lives.

If she is still wearing it in two days, well, I guess that's the answer.

Thanks for all the suggestions earlier.

Catty1

[catmandu]

Thats so tough to tell as I have Cats come up on the Porch all the time,and I have to guess.
Tubby2 was hungry and neglected but does that mean that someone is not wondering what happened to the Black Cat,the way I am wondering about Pouncierge.

[Lizzie]

I think you are doing the very best thing you can do in the circumstances.

While I would generally side with those who believe that a cat with sores on her chin, no collar and who wanders the neighborhood indicates a caregiver who isn't giving proper care, I have to remember one of my cats that would have given the same impression.

I shared Sam with a neighbor. I provided vet care, food and shelter that they'd refused him, but they still insisted that he belonged to their children. He'd always been an outside cat and loved children, so I allowed him out in the daytime when I was home. He developed chin acne, a really bad case that had him hospitalized for a few days, and it took weeks of antiobiotics and twice-daily chin scrubbing to clear up. Anyone seeing Sam then, and I found out that everyone in the neighborhood with children knew him, would think he was well-fed but not properly cared for. He lost collar after collar, but he was micro-chipped. He would eat up a storm at home but beg food from every neighbor and act pathetically underfed.

I hope all goes well for "Rosie".