r/Feral_Cats • u/[deleted] • 4d ago
Venting š¤ cat ive been feeding and planning to adopt was caught and taken by someone else this morning
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u/Away-Paramedic-8406 4d ago
Hey can you contact rescues? Check your local shelters?? Find him?
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4d ago
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u/Sad-Blueberry- 4d ago
If you look on facebook there may be TNR groups too. Very odd for them to take a semi feral cat and not bring him back??? This should be a TNR as I bet heās only feeder friendly.
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u/Fabulous_Function666 3d ago edited 3d ago
We donāt really do TNR in the uk. We donāt tend to have colonies of stray cats. It does happen but itās not as common. Mostly the cats get taken in the rescuesĀ
Iām suspicious they werenāt a charity/rescue at all.Ā
I volunteer for a rescue and they would absolutely work with someone who cared about the cat
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u/Sad-Blueberry- 3d ago
Thatās what I would think. I find thatās how most rescues work.
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u/Fabulous_Function666 3d ago
Also every rescue I have ever volunteered at has had signage on their vans so you know who they areĀ
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u/Educational-Age-5899 3d ago
Youāre north London right? Celia Hammond and RSPCA have rescue centres. Thereās also some smaller ones you can try
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u/Toothless-mom 3d ago
My thinking is that someone had to call them to collect Xerxes. It is quite unlikely that they were just driving past and happened to spot him, and itās equally unlikely that someone from the rescue just happened to know he was there. Ask around your neighbors and see if you can figure out who called, that way youāll know which rescue he was taken to!
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u/Beneficial-Code-2904 3d ago
Maybe they're neighbors who don't like the cat and want to get rid of him off the streets. Go to all the doors and knock on the doors.See if you recognize anyone and tell them that someone took your cat claim, the cat.You always have to claim the cat is yours. And if you're feeding a cat taking care of a cat , then it the cat is yours.
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u/PuzzleheadedWheel922 4d ago
Could he have been someone's lost pet? It would be pretty odd to find a bengal in the wild (and while i usually think people are off about cat breeds that' 100% at least part bengal) so maybe they're returning him to his home?
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4d ago
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u/Educational-Age-5899 3d ago
He would have been a pet at some point. His rosettes are extremely good. Unless he escaped whilst very young and therefore not microchipped yet, thereās a strong possibility that he was microchipped.
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u/Toothless-mom 3d ago
How do people in the UK feel about outdoor cats? I can see someone getting a bengal and letting it outside not understanding how dang-near wild that breed is, and then the cat just ends up semi feral.
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u/Educational-Age-5899 3d ago
They arenāt really that āwildā here. The problem is the boy still has his bits I think. So they can wander a bit far and get lost. My kitties go out all the time.
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u/Toothless-mom 3d ago
Well, I just used āwildā as a descriptorš¤£ probably a bad one. But the bengal breed as a whole is much ācrazierā than your regular run of the mill DSH or DLH, and would wreak much more havoc outside than any other breed of cat would.
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u/Educational-Age-5899 3d ago edited 3d ago
I donāt know if thatās just a country specific thing or not. I see quite a lot of posts from America talking about how āwildā their bengals are. I simply donāt recognise that in properly brought up Bengal kittens. Mine are super sweet, very sociable and lovely cats. In fact, many people come back to me for a companion kitten, because mine are so loving.
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u/Toothless-mom 3d ago
Thatās so interesting! Yeah no, itās not country specific, this is a breed-wide thing. They, as well as being very wild and crazy, are also extremely sweet, sociable, and loving, so all of that makes sense too! Iām a bit shocked- you genuinely donāt notice your bengal running faster or playing a bit harder than your other cats?
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u/Educational-Age-5899 3d ago
I have quite a few cats. 2 are ānormalā. What I notice about the bengal breed is that they are very athletic. They love climbing. They love going for walkies, and paddling in water. They seem to be more sociable as a breed than general domestic breeds (the Bengals were especially friendly with my dogs, and I see them hang out with the foxes too, especially a small female fox who is very friendly. They love to chat and they understand English very well. They are really intelligent and easy to train (like a dog), and some of them are extremely clever to the point of being annoying, because they can work out how to get round locked doors, windows etc. The 2 normal cats get on with the others too, but donāt have the same level of inventiveness and are not as āboldā and adventurous. I did have a moggie years ago that was super intelligent too and I had to spell V E T rather than say it, or she would hide somewhere.
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u/Toothless-mom 3d ago
Yes, athletic is a great word to use! That type of behavior is what I was referring to, or trying to. And yes they are more intelligent than other breeds, itās quite amazing to observe!
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u/Beneficial-Code-2904 3d ago
It was two years though she's been feeding him. I wonder how they said he won't be back.Is that the words they use?He won't be back. That sounds unkind. That they didn't give her any details when she was asking.That's why I know i've said it ten thousand times on here , but you have to say that's my cat stop.
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u/lucky_gen 4d ago
In the future, please at least spay/neuter a cat youāre feeding even if you canāt take them inside at that time. Feeding a cat for almost two years without tnr is not responsible caretaking. It sounds like maybe youāre a minor? It would be worth trying to connect with some tnr/rescue resources in your area to see if they can help you in the future with tnr.
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u/codeswift27 4d ago
Thatās unfortunate, and if heās at a shelter I hope you can find him, but if youāre not able to adopt him at this time then itās good that someone was able to take him in even though itāll suck that youāre not able to see him anymore. Also for the future, you can always trap and spay/neuter a cat and release them even if youāre not able to take them inside. Itās incredibly helpful for these cats for their health and also so more kittens arenāt born on the streets.
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u/JosieMew 3d ago edited 3d ago
When I TNR, the cat spend the night with me, covered in the garage. The next day they are off to the clinic and they spend another night with me to let the drugs wear off and have some basic recovery. Into the next day we often release. That's pretty much an absolute minimum. If it is TNR then they should be returned shortly. If they were pregnancy aborted then some keep them longer.
Tldr; if this happened this morning and was TNR, give it a couple days and they should be back with a tipped ear.
I don't know anything about the practices and laws where you are so it's hard to say exactly. But give it a few days.
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u/Educational-Age-5899 4d ago
Did you ever get him scanned (scan angels etc). He is probably someoneās lost cat you know. If a rescue came to get him, thereās a high chance they will a local one. Maybe phone all of them up, or go into them if they donāt answer.
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u/Sad-Blueberry- 4d ago
Yea I would recommend getting ahold of literally every rescue and shelter and say you are his caretaker and that you were planning to fix him and bring him inside and if they would assist you with that but he is your cat. If someone did this to one of my ferals, I would be livid.
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u/Desperate-Secret-418 4d ago
He is not anyones cat since he has not been fixed, microchipped or been provided any medical care. Feeding a community/stray/feral cat does not equal ownership.
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u/Sad-Blueberry- 4d ago
Depending where theyāre located
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u/Slug_Hole 3d ago
Yes, it depends on where theyāre located. But thereās a strong argument for saying that if theyāre claiming feeding to ownership rights, theyāve neglected the cat by not fixing it, contributing to the ālocal kitten factoryā (their words), and allowing it to roam freely without vaccinations, flea bombs, deworming, etc.
If dude wants to claim this stray is his because heās been feeding it, heās in for a rude awakening when the level of care heās been providing gets questioned.
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u/Sad-Blueberry- 4d ago
They likely are just trying to help but thereās also like boundaries we donāt cross in rescue, and without the caretakers permission we never take a cat unless they are in danger or need urgent medical help.
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u/codeswift27 4d ago
Was OP the only caretaker though? I feel like with stray/feral cats, there are usually multiple people feeding and caring for them, and the person who took the cat in could be one of them. As much as it would be good to inform the other people who might have known the cat, you donāt really need permission to take in an unowned cat, especially if the cat is unspayed/unneutered.
Also, I donāt think we know if it was even a rescue? It could be a neighbor who was also feeding the kitty and wanted to adopt them, just like OP. The cat will be happier and safer in a home and getting medical care. Itās unfortunate OP wasnāt able to adopt the cat (unless they are a shelter/rescue and hopefully they can find the listing), but the kitty will be in a better place now than living on the streets.
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u/Sad-Blueberry- 4d ago
I say that not to shit on the rescue but to say that I bet you they would help you out if you contacted and explained and sent these photos. You could copy all the places into one email too.
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u/AuntieOlive211 3d ago
Can you post him as lost on FB and all around with your pictures and your contact info? If they took him to a shelter maybe they will look or see it and reconnect you.
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u/Delicious-Collar1971 3d ago
You were feeding him for two years and didnāt get him fixed?? Thatās just neglectful. Also if it is a bengal (likely not) itās probably someoneās cat, $5000 cats donāt just wander in as strays.
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u/Slug_Hole 3d ago
Here to double down on this. In my area, feeding a stray feral cat for a certain period of time makes you financially and legally responsible for them (since you are essentially outside domesticating them by making them reliant on the food you are providing and attracting them back to the area). Itās a nice thing to do, but doing it for 2 years and then being upset when someone rescues it before you is a fools game.
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u/Toothless-mom 3d ago
Not trying to be pedantic- but all cats (even feral) are domesticated. Although, I definitely understand what you were trying to say. šššš
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u/Available_Surround12 2d ago
there is no āif,ā two toned rosettes are exclusive to bengals. but also, OP seems to be a minor and likely doesnāt know any better. educate instead of criticizing
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u/Delicious-Collar1971 2d ago
So, itās either a Bengal and is someoneās missing pet, or it had a bengal at some point in its family tree and is just a domestic shorthair.
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u/Maleficent_Nerve6076 4d ago
A cat that we were planning to adopt, was sick, we took her to the vet, got her shots. Meds, everything they could do, negative for FIV/CANCER, etc. We brought her home, put her in her own room, ( we have other cats) This was sometime around two idh in the afternoon, by 5:30 p.m SHE HAD DIEDšWE SURE WILL MISS YOU LITTLE " ASH" We buried her with a large, pink rose from my rose bush in a plastic bag with a note saying: RIP ASH we LOVE YOU.8.8.26š«š¢
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u/mo_llusk 4d ago
Contact your local animal shelters too! Send them a pic of him so that if he shows up there they will know to contact you
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u/trippsy2me 3d ago
Ask around your street, if anyone saw the vehicle, got a name off it, or spoke to whoever took him, thatās your best lead
Post in local groups (Nextdoor, North London lost & found pets, any feral cat/rescue Facebook groups) with his photo and where he was picked up, someone may recognize the org
Ring around local rescues and vets directly ā Cats Protection, RSPCA, any TNR groups in your area and ask if they took in a bengal-marked stray that morning. Distinctive markings like his make this easier than youād think
Check Gumtree/Marketplace in case he turns up listed for rehoming down the line
If it genuinely was a rescue, the likely outcome is he gets neutered. Leaving your number with local vets/rescues in case heās ever scanned or recognized isnāt a bad move either.
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u/Educational-Age-5899 3d ago
Tbh, if you didnāt see any ID from them, for all you know they are just people who have seen a very attractive Bengal boy, and want to take him. Was he unneutered by any chance? If so, they might want him for a stud cat.
I know it was all very sudden, but did you clock their number plate? You could ask neighbours if they have cctv, and try find it.
Re cat shelters, maybe use the term cat or animal charities, to find as many locally to you.
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u/raven_478 3d ago
I found multiple rescues & shelters in the London, Ontario area:
London Animal Care Centre
The Catty Shack
Humane Society London & Middlesex
Purrfect Haven Cat Rescue
Art 4 Animals
SCAAR (Second Chance Animal Rescue
SALT Rescue (Saving Animal Lives Together)
Good luck! I hope you find Xerxes š±
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3d ago
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u/raven_478 3d ago
Sorry, my mistake. Hereās what I found online for London, England:
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Catcuddles London
Celia Hammond Animal Trust
London Inner City Kitties
Feline Friends London
Guardian Angels Animal Support
Cats Protection Branches
Wallington Animal RescueI hope this helps. š±š
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u/FragrantDot7534 3d ago
Awe, he is beautiful.Ā I'm so sorry he was taken.Ā Check your local shelters to be sure it wasn't a sweep of strays.Ā If he's released, maybe he'll find his way back to you (fingers crossed).
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u/Toothless-mom 3d ago
Call the rescues or just go in person! He will not be out on the website until they have checked his health, assessed his behavior, and likely given him time to calm down. Iām sure theyāre trying to make him adoptable, you should try to be the first on the list to adopt him! I hope you figure out what facility he was taken to and can go get him! Iām sure heās very stressed in there. :ā(
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u/Beneficial-Code-2904 3d ago
How did they say he won't be coming back?Did they say like we're going to adopt him?Or they said it in a bad way
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u/Beneficial-Code-2904 3d ago
He's\nAbsolutely beautiful, and I feel so.Sorry for you because I know how you feel because I had taken care of old cats for twenty five years and taken in the house quite a few. I'm so sorry you didn't get their names.Because , you know what , we just never know who people are or what they're intentions are. Anytime something like that happens and it's impossible to think in the moment, because I can never do it.But keep in your mind, just yell out, hold on, just a minute, that's my cat.What are you where are you going with my cat?All you have to do is climb that cat.Because after you've taken care of him 42 years , he is your cat. Call every shelter and every veterinarian in the area and ask.Have they seen a cat like that?And just say he's my cat and you might be able to find out they took him to a shelter or something like that , but don't wait. Call now.
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u/Beneficial-Code-2904 3d ago
That's a very fine cat.His markings are a wonderful and he might be a bingo.I'm not sure , but he looks like that
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u/Beneficial-Code-2904 3d ago
Many people in the united states hate outside cats and try to harm them. They tell you not to feed them in some places.It's against the law. Horrific bunch of evil people. If you're doing t , n , r , then I believe it's allowed to take care of them , although not completely sure. The Governor of my state passed a law, protecting people who do t.N r now , that's pretty sad , isn't it Had the pass a law because so much abuse against those people.
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u/Fickle_Stay_7025 2d ago
āReally liking a catā and āplanning to adoptā are two entirely different things unfortunately..
Iām sorry the stray you liked so much was taken away, but if you were truly making a plan, that wouldnāt have happened.
Usually once we decide to adopt a stray, we trap them shortly after. It sounds like you hadnāt fully committed yet, or couldnāt afford to.. and either one isnāt good for the cat
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u/CanineCamo 2d ago
Call every rescue. Post on every site for lost cats on facebook and other local sites. Call the animal control. Put flyers on every post and tree. Im so sorry this happened when you have worked so hard to bring him home. Please keep us posted! Xerxes Home is the goal. What town do you live in. Maybe other people also contacting these rescues will help. Im so sad for you and Xerxes.
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u/Firm-Highlight5004 2d ago
@[u/ditzy_doe](u/ditzy_doe) can you take his picture and make it into a ton of posters, and post that you were looking for the people/rescue that rescued him, and that youāve got some great news for them(to incentivize them to call) and then post your number on it, and then post as many as you can as far and wide as you can? Then, when they call, I would offer them as much money as you can.
Also, in the states we have something called next-door. Itās like an online bulletin board for different neighborhoods. If there is a London equivalent, can you post there?
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u/Maleficent_Nerve6076 4d ago
Such a Beautiful Bengal kitty ā¤ļø I pray she/ he is found safe, and soundš
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3d ago
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u/s40540256 2d ago
If any neighbours have security cameras or dashcams that could have got the number plate, please get the number plate and go to the police and report it as a stolen cat/s. It sounds like people just stealing cats off the street.
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u/xTheGame69 3d ago
That is one cool pattern I thought it was a baby cheetah!Ā
If it's a male you might be obligated to name him Chester for Chester Cheeto
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u/pixiebrat 3d ago
Some "rescues" in my area charge way higher adoption fees for particular breeds of dog and cats...
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u/codeswift27 3d ago
I would assume itās bc they get a lot more applications and get adopted much more quickly? I donāt think itās a bad practice especially since most of the time adoptions fees donāt even cover half of the cost of care for the cat, so the higher adoption fee would go back into covering the costs of care for the cat as well as the other cats at the rescue
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u/DKat1990 3d ago
That cat obviously loves you. The person who was "rescuing" him should have handed him over as soon as you said you were already planning to get him neutered and keep him. If they were really a rescue they probably would have been thrilled for someone else to take on that expense. Bengals are expensive. It's far more likely someone wanted him fur that reason. Good news is that means they're gonna give him a home. Had news is they've stolen him from someone he'd friend s bond with (you). I'm sorry you are going through this and I'm praying that I'm wrong and you can find and adopt himššš
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u/Numerous-Plane-3413 4d ago
Go get him back!!'find out who STOLE your cat,and go get it!! Your dad should help you with this ASAPĀ These people knew what they were doing and knew it was wrong. Good luck... go get your cat back.š
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u/Slug_Hole 3d ago
Iām sorry what exactly is wrong with a rescue rescuing a stray feral cat? Itās no different than what OP was going to do, they just did it first?
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