My sister has a lovely black and white moggie who is about 5 years old. She has now moved out of home and so that cat is living with my Father who didn't want a cat originally. I have always found the treatment of this lovely animal quite upsetting and I am wondering what to do.

Ollie is an outdoors cat (for which I have issues with, but that's another discussion!!) who basically lives on hs own. My Father spends most of his time at his girlfriends house, so Ollie is fed in the morning (while Dad dashes off to work), then he is left outside all day, then Dad comes home and feeds him before leaving to go to his GF's house - Leaving Ollie in all night on his own.

Now, my concern is that this cat has little to no human contact on a daily basis.
He is a longhair (with a stunning coat!), but it isn't properly cared for (even though it is in pretty good condition for someone who isn't brushed everyday).
He hasn't been taken to the vet in I don't know how many years, due to a hatred of vets after an appauling incident which almost killed him as a young kitten. This of course means that he hasn't had a check-up, vaccinations...anything...

Now, my Dad has gone away for the week. I have been feeding him at night and it just breaks my heart everytime I see him. He is so needy for attention and cuddles that it makes me a bit teary. Dad feeds him fish pouches everynight which he doesn't eat because he is obviously sick of it. He gets the cheapest food, litter, everything. I went and bought real meat, a good selection of dine tins and some furball dry food on Tuesday and he almost ran me over trying to eat it all!! I also replaced the appauling litter with Breeders Choice (hubby wouldn't let me buy Wonder Wheat!) and again, he seemed really happy.

So, my LONG post leads up to this question.

If this was anyone else, I would take him to the RSPCA and have him adopted by someone who is going to love him and pamper him and give him a wonderful home...but this is family. He has lost quite a bit of weight (for which my father was happy to hear about ?!?!?!) and so I want to take him to the vet. I want him in a home that cares for him and lets him be a cat.
He has no toys, no scrating post, isn't allowed to stretch out because his claws might ruin the carpet (!) and basically, he lives by himself.

What do I do? Do I find him a home and make sure he finally has a pampered life...or do I just continue feeling horrible everytime I see him???

Oh I feel so sorry for the poor cat.
You are obviously trusted enough to feed the cat...is there a reason why YOU cant take the cat and keep it in the family? I suspect that would be acceptable to all parties.
The alternative is to suggest to your father that you will look for a good home for the cat.
either way, a trip to the vet and grooming sounds like the go , and a photo taken when he is looking at his best so it will be easier to rehome him if you get the go ahead.
Good luck ...

Bronnie

Dads away, take the cat find it a home, tell Dad it wasn't there when you went to feed it, Dad's happy your not upset anymore CAT VERY HAPPY :-)

Oh Sarah, what a sad situation. Ollie sounds like such a nice boy.

Any chance that you and OH could adopt Ollie? Or are Bella and Leo enough for the moment?
By the way, how are your two babies?!

Regards,

Crystal

I have tried and tried to get Jacob to let me bring him home, but it is of no use. I think Ollie is more suited to a single cat home as she totally freaked out when my sister brought home another cat a couple of years ago (mind you, she didn't do a proper introduction at all and the other cat was VERY much the alpha cat).
Ollie used to have play/bite issues when he was younger and due to some bad experiences as a kitten, can be very skittish. I think a single home is the only way he is going to be happy.
My Dad once suggested that he move in with his GF and her cat (Siamese), but then quickly changed his mind and said that he would give him to the RSPCA if they moved in together (GGGRRRRRR).

Dad & J do love Ollie and don't mistreat him as such, but he is such a love-deprived cat it is just sad. They seem to think that it is OK for him to be alone and to love when it suits. It just makes me so sad.

I couldn't just take him, because they would be upset and I would feel badly, but I am going to take him to the vet and I am going to make him all pretty so that I can find him a loving home.

He really is a stunner! I will have to take a pic and post it for all to see!

I'm in total agreement with Janet on this! While dad is away find the poor cat a loving new home. Just tell him that the cat wasn't there when you went to feed him.

Easy solution, everyone's happy!!

Elaine

I disagree with removing him without your fathers sayso - that is treachery in my eyes - I do agree with working on dad to find him a new home and inputting some time - as you are doing now - to get him ready for the transition.

If he was freaked out with the other cat he would be an appalling mess at the RSPCA and unlikely to be adopted and to be honest there are worse things for a cat than being alone. Cats are actually solitary animals, not pack animals and no doubt he is used to his regime but maybe while working on dad and trying to get him a home with more interaction you could keep on spending time with him and help him prepare for a pet pampered life.

Good luck what ever you decide.

Spoke to Dad last night who informed me in the most offhanded way that he moved in with his GF yesterday!! I immediately enquired about Ollie and was told that he is being kept in the front bedroom at the moment and they will be introducing him to the other cat (Siamese) this week.
I think it is great that he is going to be around another cat and in a household with people...but I have these concerns:

1. Dad is anal about cats doing "the wrong thing", like stretching (it "ruins the carpet"), being on furniture, being in "the wrong rooms" and generally doing anything that isn't sitting quietly.
2. Dads GF has lots of lovely furniture which I am scared that Ollie will want to be on
3. The introduction wont be done properly and will cause both Ollie & Jappy to get stressed - for which Ollie will be blamed and gotten rid of
4. Ollie will run away or get hit by a car (they live just near Dandenong Rd - major road) because they don't have an enclosure
5. Dad is currently keeping an outside cat inside without warning and Ollie wont understand.

Does anyone have a running sheet of the "proper" way to introduce a cat into a new household? I made Dad promise that he would follow directions if I put one together for him! I am also going to lend him my Bachs Remedy so that Ollie can be a little more relaxed.

I think this is a promising start....

I am going to buy Ollie a scratching post & a horizontal scratcher for when he needs to stretch (and maybe a chair to sit on)...

If your Dad's GF is a cat lover (which it sounds like she is) she might take over Ollie's care. If she is caring for her Siamese already it may be a really good thing that Ollie has moved in with them.
Pamela

There are some nice articles on the web about making an outdoor cat indoor - try google to find them....It may work out beautifully - fingers crossed....keep us posted.

Why coulcn't your sister take him when she moved? thats what i did when i moved out of home.


i hope things work out for him and the other cat it will be nice for him to have company.

My sister is living in a share house that doesn't allow pets.

My father has taken him to live in teh new house (which already has a cat) and the introduction has been slow. I provided him with a list of things that MUST be done in order to help eleviate the stress on both cats and I believe he is following the list (thank goodness!).