Question for cat owners - kitty etiquette

[TheBaldyMan]

This morning I was going to the local early opening store. It was freezing cold and on the way back I heard a cat miaowing it's head off in a shop doorway. When I went up to see if it was OK she got really friendly and followed me home. I left the door slightly ajar and she followed me indoors. She was a tabby in beautiful condition, just a little cold. I thought I could give her some shelter from the cold for a few hours and maybe a drink of water and something to eat.

My flat started to freeze as well so I closed the door and as soon as I did this she started mewling to be let out again. I walked her back to where she picked me up originally and left her there. She should be fine as she seemed well fed and healthy. Obviously she comes from around that area.

A couple of questions about this - Is it OK to be adopted by a cat even though it seems to be well cared for and perfectly fit? Did I do a dumb thing attempting to take in someone's pet who would have been missed? ( She was really beautiful and sweet natured )

I wouldn't have wanted to cause any distress to her family if she went missing.

[carlydenise]

1. It was freezing cold

the cat should have been inside, she may have been lost. You did a good thing by taking her in for a while. I keep my cat indoors all the time, I have always been afraid to let him run around outside because he may get run over or hurt by a dog or something. Where I live, pets are supposed to have a collar and tags if they are out, otherwise the animal shelter picks them up, and they only keep them for a few days. If you see the cat again, it is probably a stray, adopt her, you seem to be a pet person and would make a great owner for the cat.

Carly

[TheBaldyMan]

2. Various neighbors of mine have a few cats that patrol my back yard

my back yard already. She might get in a few scraps round my way if she stayed with me. She is a beautiful animal and very friendly so I think she is somebody's pet and one that would be missed. You make a good point about the collar, she wasn't wearing one. I'll keep an eye open for her, I don't know why but cats seem to like me so I'll find out if she wants a home.

[Dangerously Amused]

3. You did right to take her in. Bless your heart.

If it was freezing out, the owners would have no right to get upset with you for keeping kittie inside and warm until you could reunite them with her. Hopefully they would have come out looking for her and posted "lost cat" notices, etc. Otherwise you could take her to the Humane Society and go back to adopt her after the requisite amount of time alotted for the owners (if any) to claim her. Then if no one claims her, she's legally yours.

[havocmom]

4. Some cats with perfectly fine human families just love to visit and make friends

I have known cats that had regular routes of homes they would visit. A couple of cats I knew seemed to know when there would be various meetings and just showed up for them.

Sometimes I wonder if such felines aren't cat anthropologists studying US! :D

[bertha katzenengel]

5. You did just the right thing, I think.

If it keeps happening, take her to a vet or the humane society to see if she's chipped. And then, if you still keep seeing her, I suggest keeping her (if you can) or finding a no-kill shelter. Because if it keeps happening, IMO the owners don't care enough to try to keep their cat indoors.

[TheBaldyMan]

6. I don't think she was neglected, just the opposite seems true

probably a case of a wandering cat out on the tiles for the night, when I found her it was very early in the morning.

I'll definately find out if she's chipped if our paths cross again.

[Flaxbee]

7. You never really know, though - - some people just get to a point

where they find a pet "inconvenient" and abandon them. You could be seeing her in her early abandonment.

Or, she could have just gotten out. We have two indoor/outdoor (and 5 indoor only) and occasionally they'll come back w/o their collar, having escaped it in some manner or other. I always keep them in at night / early morning, though, esp. in cold weather.

We have taken in many strays over the years, some in bad shape, some in very good shape, not chipped, just dumped. Keep an eye out for her - as bertha k. said, see if she needs anything (food) and see if she's chipped. And maybe you've just found yourself a lovely, wonderful new roommate!

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

8. I think you absolutely did the right thing

I couldn't live with myself if I saw a kitty I thought needed help and I just ignored it. If you see her again and choose to take her in, maybe you could post her picture at the store and let any possible families know you have her? Just a thought. And bless your heart for caring about this lovely beastie!