No, not a thread about getting older, but one about a stray Bengal cat in my neighbourhood... any helpful advice is welcome!
We have three cats that keep getting attacked by a Bengal-like male cat. It looks very worse for wear, and is unneutered. We've posted on a local lost pets page on Facebook, and other people have the same issue with it as well (i.e. attacking their cats, getting in their house, spraying everywhere etc.).
A couple of people claim it's theirs, and despite everyone telling them for 4 months the location of where it's been spotted (constantly), they have ignored it and claim they are too busy to come and check. They then claimed their neighbour stole it. Later, they then claimed they've moved, and not sure if they're allowed a cat.
I'm obviously very dubious that these people would look after it if it was returned to them - the fact they have told 3 different stories, the cat looks rough and is not neutered, and we have all told them where it is and they cannot be arsed to collect it - would all tell me they are not responsible cat owners.
So, I've purchased a cat trap to try and catch it - it won't let anyone near it. I've spoken to the vets who have said to speak to cat rescue centres and take it there.... but all the rescue centres have said take it to a vets....!
As mean as it might be, I really do not want him going back to the people who claim he's theirs - if he is - even if his microchip states they are the owners; they seem completley irresponsible, and I have no doubt he won't be neutered and will be back terrorising our cats in no time.
Anyone have any advice? I'm half tempted to take it to a town 20 miles away and release it into a field if nowhere takes him in (although that seems rather unfair on the cat).
Comments
I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.
When I was a kid, growing up in the country, there was a feral tom cat which terrorised all the local domestics - it was a really savage thing, in awful condition and probably would have been dangerous if handled... no-one wanted to deal with it, so my dad eventually shot it (shotgun). I love cats but I honestly think it was the best thing to do.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
That's the other thing if we released it somewhere random - it would still terrorise the local cats there. Wouldn't be our issue anymore, but not exactly morally right...!
I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.
Presumably an Indian?
If you can catch it, take it to a rescue/rehoming centre. If it's un-neutered, it almost certainly won't be chipped.
It's not the cat's fault, although it sounds like a really bad situation for all concerned.
Pity about this as Bengals are stunning beasts.
Bad people making bad pets again
Here she is:
People see Bengal cats and their markings, thinking how lovely they look but the thing to understand about Bengals is they are NOT like ordinary domesticated cats. They are very characterful but only a few steps away from a wild cat.
They don't like other cats generally and male ones can be an extreme handful. If they are not treated right they can get out of hand very quickly, becoming extremely difficult to control. Plus male Bengals are generally big, strong, muscular cats.
That said Lotus is quite small a very placid cat with a very good nature - she's a bit odd in that she doesn't chase birds in the garden, frogs or toads are more her line!
Maybe his owners bought him to use as a "stud" (to try to make money from) but have not been able to control him, so he's now got out of hand - very irresponsible not having him neutered.
Despite my FB name sounding cat related, it really isn't at all I do however love cats, despite being violently allergic to them. Go figure Darwin...
Thinking of calling the RSPCA and explaining the situation - one rescue told us it has owners, I explained the situation, but they didn't care. Wondering if we state to the RSPCA that we're concerned about the cat's welfare if they'd do something.
Failing that - he'll be taken 20 miles away and released. Not ideal, but if nobody can take him in, I need to ensure our cats are safe.
Bloody people.
I’m aware of the financial pressure cat rescue centres are under - our cat and the previous one came from there and we’re regular donors. But this is what they’re for.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Also been speaking with a couple of local people who have had issues with him as well - one is in agreement about not giving him to the people who claim he's theirs; the other has a microchip reader and she is happy to come and scan him to see if he's chipped.
Cage is on the way, so will try and trap the fecker later....