It’s been quite a while since I posted on DS, so please be gentle with me!

For the last year or so, a cat comes visiting mine and other neighbours homes. It appears that with us all, she forces her way in the first opportunity she gets (through windows and running Inside as soon as a front door opens)!

A few of us have approached the cat's owner on various occasions regarding this. The owner says she does that to all the neighbours and apparantly doesn’t like to remain indoors and prefers to spend its time outside. Sometimes, the cat doesn't come home for days but if she want to return back, she will cry at the door until they open the door.

Over the year, most neighbours have become accustomed to this and some of us feeds it (again the owner is well aware).

The thing is, perhaps due to the cold weather, over the last couple of months cat been spending more and more time at my place and another particular neighbour. I'm concerned as I know she’s prone to fleas (again, already spoken to the owner about this) and I have no idea about her toilet habits (shes previously peed on the neighbours carpet).

She’s at my place almost every other day and stays for several hours. I’m unable to pick her up and put her back outside (due to my health) but once she has voluntarily gone outside, I try to ignore her cries/scratches wanting to come back in my home (however, I do feel bad as I’m aware of the dangers outside especially at this time of the year eg. antifreeze. Also, although I haven’t personally seen this, neighbours have told me they’ve taken her in after witnessing school children bullying her, pulling her tail etc).

I would be grateful for some realistic advice please. I only want to do what is right for the cat but she is not my pet and not my responsibility. I personally would prefer not to approach the owner again (bearing in mind it doesn’t seem to make any difference when I, and others, have previously done so!) To be honest although pleasant enough when talking, the owner seems very laid back about the whole thing.

I’ve tried to explain as much as I can, so if you’ve read up to this far thank you . Advice is much appreciated but please note due to health reasons, I'll come to check this thread from time to time but may not be able to reply/ thank posters immediately.

I suspect the problem is the cat can't come and go as she pleases at home - if the owners are out a lot she's stuck outside and so needs to bunk down at the neighbours.
Maybe the owner could install a cat flap for her?

If she likes being indoors so much, and people are feeding her, I reckon the 'owner' is probably not feeding her regularly and kicking her out, as well... Maybe those feeding her could club together and pay for a cat door for her 'owner''s home!

We recently acquired a cat abandoned by a cat-hoarding neighbour who moved house suddenly, leaving three tame and a host of ferals behind. One did what this one has done with you, and simply moved into our house (much to the shock of our own cat, and luckily the indifference of our dog).

So we let her stay in briefly at first - not sure of her toilet habits - and since she had no accidents, she now essentially lives here. We feed her, de-flea'd her, and she spends all day asleep. Another neighbour was feeding three cats, but two days ago one of them (semi-feral) got run over on the road. So now she will only have two.

Cats do seem to go where they want. I reckon the only way to make the owner take responsibility is for all of you to agree not to feed her - and present her with a cat door (that maybe another neighbour could offer to fit) - a fait accomplis, in other words. As I suspect this person isn't caring for the cat.

Thank you for your reply Shrike. I thought a cat flap would be a common thing to have if you own an outdoor cat and it has been mentioned to the owner before.

As far as I’m aware there’s somebody at home most of the time. They've also got a baby and a dog so although they haven't said, it could be the cat doesn't want to stay in her home!

But it's clear to the us (the neighbours) that the owners don’t seem to be trying hard to keep her inside. They know she forces her way into many nighbours houses. And they never come looking for their cat either even when she goes missing for days.

I appreciate your reply Hogzilla, thank you. Neighbours clubbing in to buy a cat flap may be something to consider although not sure about anyone being prepared to fit it in. I guess there are different types depending on wood, pvc, glass door etc?

If we were to go ahead, it would be interesting to see whether the owners would be willing to fit it themselves! I don’t necessary think they're uncaring but they do seem oblivious to their responsibilities.

A few hours ago the door bell rang and again, cat shot inside giving me a fright. She may have flea eggs/flea poop on her fur. I wiped them off with a damp tissue, she kept meowing loudly for food, now she’s found a tiny amazon box and curled up asleep inside. Again, I’m concerned whether she'll be prepared to go out in the cold night.

It’s very kind of you to take on the responsibilites of a homeless cat. I imagine, not many people would have done so, the cat is very lucky to have you around

As for the it's previous owner, it’s sad they left some of their cats behind to fend for themselves. It's shame the question ‘why do people bother getting pets if they’re not prepared to put in the effort to look after them properly’, is still being asked in this day and age. 

If fleas are a problem on this visiting cat, it's relatively cheap to buy anti-flea products such as Effipro http://www.viovet.co.uk/Effipro_Spot...gs_Cats/c6057/ and I'd suggest at least three monthly treatments in a row (as well as an indoor anti-flea spray).

Thank you for the link. I've never had to deal with flea treatment before.

Could a cat have an allergic reaction to flea treatment eg. if they've not used a particular brand before or if they've recently had a course, a day or so ago, from someone else?

I wouldn't want any adverse effects to the cat (or possibly annoyed owners), because of a well meaning gesture on my part.

I am glad that you are at least caring for the poor little thing.
Maybe a talk to the cat protection league or rspca is advised to see if they deem the cat's owner's behaviour a form of neglect, especially with those horrid outdoor conditions at present which won't get better over the next months.
The feline is lucky she gets some shelter and food from you.. thank you for doing this

It's very unlikely as the great majority of cats appear to tolerate the active ingredient. If they are going to be used then follow the application instructions and watch for any adverse effects over the next few days and, if in the unlikely event that there are, then by all means seek veterinary advice about alternatives.

Re the flea treatment we use frontline at the moment think it was £24 last time and have two cats so you can see it's not cheap
Have you used that viovet treatment it only has two reviews but both seem good

I use advocate for fleas as it does worming as well

Sounds like it. Perhaps OP should ring up Battersea or Cats protection or even RSPCA (but would be cautious about the RSPCA as I have heard they destroy stray cats, not sure but would like to know if it is true) I am sure the cat could be rehomed. Or else neighbours club together and buy some 'Front line' or 'Stronghold' over the internet and deflea the cat. I personally wouldnt like my own cat to catch fleas. Cant understand why people have animals if they cant be bothered to look after them.

Thank you to all posters for very helpful advice… it is appreciated The only advice I got from the RSPCA was unless the cat is seriously underweight/or it’s clear it’s not being looked after, they are unable to intervene. As she’s currently getting food from neighbours, they can’t do anything. (Fortunately, most neighbours do take kindly to her despite her forcing herself upon them).

The cat flap seems a practical solution. But I'll have to have a think about the best way to get the message across! In the meantime, I’ve arranged to get basic cat litter (for emergency use - should she end up staying overnight). Also some advantage flea treatment (should she still have fleas next time she comes in). I couldn’t believe the wide choice of treatment available and yes, they’re certainly very expensive.

The cat was crying to be let in again a couple of days ago and hanging around the front door. But the window was completely closed and the door remained shut as I was unwell. But now I’ve prepared myself, I haven’t seen her which is quite strange. Hopefully, she’s being kept warm in her own home or at least with another neighbour.