Found Cat-Did I do the right thing?

[Puregonzo1188]

Ok I have one cat and she's never been outside-ever. She's very affectionate around people, but she was sort of small so before we got her she was bullied by the other cats in the cage. The other morning she was meowing so I went to see what was wrong. She was sitting by the glass black door and outside was another cat. I just sort of thought the other cat would go away, but after 5-10 minutes the other cat was still there. We had been putting stale bread and old strawberries on the porch for the squirrels during the winter and I was somewhat worried this cat was after them. I figured if I walked out back she would run back to her home.

Well after I walked out back as soon as this other cat saw me she ran towards me. Not knowing this cat, I wasn't sure if it was a friendly gesture or a not so friendly one (I saw teeth!) so I returned to the house rather quickly. An hour went by and I went back outside and this cat was still in my backyard, just in another spot and ran towards me once more. I walked quickly back to my front door and went in the house. When I looked at the front window again I saw this cat sitting in the flower garden by the door. Another hour went by and she was still there. I had to go out for awhile and I figured when I got back she would be gone. Well I got back about 3 or 4 hours later and the cat was still there and I went back inside. Meanwhile, I kept looking at the window at her to determine if she was hurt. Eventually, she saw me peeking out at her and jumped up on the porch and started rubbing against it purring. At this same time someone pulled into the driveway so I went outside (not out the front door) and discovered that she was in fact a very friendly cat. I gave her some food and water and she ate like she was starving. At this point I talked to the person who was coming to my door and they suggested that someone should bring her in. As I noted I had a cat and since she's an indoor cat she hasn't been vaccinated by certain diseases so I didn't want to bring this cat into my house. Plus, she was very jealous of this cat (you should of seen the look on my cat's face out the window as I was petting thing cat).

I called a grandmother who lives down the street and asked them if she would hold onto this cat for awhile well I tried to find her owner. Needless to say, at least another two hours had elapsed and this cat still hadn't gone home. Well my grandmother agreed to watch this cat to see if someone claims and if not adopt her. I put signs all up and down the street (very noticeable ones) that said Found Cat and gave a number to call.

My grandmother already has fallen in love with this cat and will certainly be heartbroken if her owner claims her (she's very friendly). At the same time I worry I've stolen someone's cat as I'm certain she's been around people before (very friendly, housebroken, etc). At the same time she was defiantly very, very, hungry and was missing some of her fur (a sign of fear) indicating that she had been outside for some time. Also, he's still a kitten, but she's right around the age when cats no longer look like kittens, but cats instead so someone might of dumped (I don't know how someone could ever dump a cat).

So my question is did I do the right thing? I just worry I stole someone's cat or something (but I put signs all over with found cat on them).

[Breeze54]

1. Did you call the local animal rescue

or whatever they have near you? Run an ad in the paper?
This is mating season for cats, isn't it? Spring?
Sounds like someone owns her/him. But having compassion
for a stray cat is not a bad thing. So, give yourself
a pat on the back and hopefully the cat and it's owner
will be reunited, if possible.

[ThomCat]

2. Taking care of a lost cat is never wrong.

For a cat to hang around that long, he/she either doesn't have a home or didn't know how to get back home.

I'd post signs and contact the local animal shelter in case someone is looking for their lost cat.

You definitely did a good thing. :)

[VenusRising]

3. You rescued an animal. That's never wrong.

Have you thought about taking her to a vet's office or the shelter to see if she has a chip implanted? If the cat originally came from a shelter, it might have an implant. The shelter my friend's cat came from did that as a courtesy.

Other than that, if you have put up signs and run ads, then you've done your best in finding the kitty's owners. Maybe they moved recently or something. Anyway, I hope your Grandmother enjoys her new furry companion.

[Flaxbee]

4. yes, you did the right thing.

You've put up pictures, and have contact information for someone to call. Meanwhile, the cat needs shelter and food, and if your grandmother is happy to provide those things, wonderful! Thank you for caring for this cat -- I have 7 and love all my babies dearly.

If someone DOES call for the cat, please make sure they answer some very specific questions before you let them have him back... you can never be too careful.

However, I suspect he may have been dumped, and your grandmother has a new best friend.

[Puregonzo1188]

5. I was as vague on the flyer as possible as to be able to

ask the caller specific questions such as what gender, how old, what fur and eye color, long hair or short hair.

[crispini]

6. Yes, but keep checking.

Call around to the vets and to shelters, and take Kitty in to the vet to see if he/she has a chip implanted. Those will be the places that a typical cat owner would look. Good luck!