Spotted: black cat, Colwell Road

[rosa_p]

We have had a black cat visiting our garden for a while now, but didn't think much of it til we noticed our cat's food kept depleting rapidly while we were out! My partner installed a webcam thing on his laptop and it turns out the black cat has been coming into our kitchen to eat and drink. We've only see it from a distance in the garden, but from the vids we captured it looks quite skinny and a bit scruffy, it also keeps coming back to look for any scraps it missed which makes us think it's pretty hungry, poor thing :(

We are on Colwell Road and our garden backs onto Alleyn's field so he could be living outdoors and looking for scraps. The problem is we are moving house over the next week, and our cat is also pretty hostile, making it difficult for us to take him in. Felt it was worth sharing so people can keep an eye out for it. We will of course do our best to get it to a vets to scan for a microchip.

[Delainie]

Hello, are you able to get near cat? Does it let you stroke it?

Just wondering if you are able to catch it, to enable you to take it to vets to scan, or would you need it trapped?

Sounds like poor cat needs to be sorted out before you move. X

[d walker]

Just wondering if this could be "Cosmo", the lost black cat Bruysses reported missing months ago? Checking back through posts their contact number is -07809640218. It would be great if it was him.

[rosa_p]

I know, I'm worried about the poor kitty :(

We have tried to gently approach it in our garden but it's quite timid and runs off, and has only been into our flat while we've both been out, so we haven't been able to get close. I really want to get it to a vets before we move, but we both have to be at work and am worried I won't be able to catch it before we move. I spoke to Celia Hammond and they said if we are unable to catch it and take it to a vets, that we should speak to neighbours and ask them to leave food and water out and try and catch it. However if they're not particularly interested in cats then this might not help!

I've left a bowl of food and a big bowl of water out in the garden so at least it can eat. Do you know anything about traps?

[rosa_p]

Oh thanks I'll look for the post now!

[rosa_p]

I found the original post, but not sure it's him, the post describes him as a big cat but this one seems either young or just pretty small! I really hope I can get to it before we move!

d walker Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Just wondering if this could be "Cosmo", the

> lost black cat Bruysses reported missing months

> ago? Checking back through posts their contact

> number is -07809640218. It would be great if it

> was him.

[d walker]

But if he's been missing for months and with little food he probably wouldn't be a big cat anymore and would be looking scruffy. It's worth a try.

[Brulysses]

Hi Rosa,

I looked at the pics, it's hard to tell if it's Coz, he is a cat with quite a big frame (even if he's lost alot of weight). He's also quite gregarious, so if it was him i'd be surprised if he was timid but he may have regressed after being on the streets for 6 months. my number is 07809640218, do give me a call, and thanks for calling Celia Hammond and not the RSPCA idiots, CH are much more competent! Also, if you do see him, try calling him Cosmo, Cozzy or Coz...you never know...

[rosa_p]

Hello! You're very right, he may well have lost a bit of weight and become more timid so I'll give his name/s a shot when I next see him - you never know. This one does seem very little, we thought it might be a very young cat, but still. I hope it's him! I'll be in touch. And will keep this post updated if I manage any better photos too.

I have never had ANY luck with RSPCA so always look for alternatives now!

Brulysses Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi Rosa,

>

> I looked at the pics, it's hard to tell if it's

> Coz, he is a cat with quite a big frame (even if

> he's lost alot of weight). He's also quite

> gregarious, so if it was him i'd be surprised if

> he was timid but he may have regressed after being

> on the streets for 6 months. my number is

> 07809640218, do give me a call, and thanks for

> calling Celia Hammond and not the RSPCA idiots, CH

> are much more competent! Also, if you do see him,

> try calling him Cosmo, Cozzy or Coz...you never

> know...

[rosa_p]

Argh! I just saw it again! It tried to come in through the cat flap but unfortunately as soon as it saw me in the living room it backed out and went back outside, it went straight to the food bowl I have left out in the garden and started eating but when I tried to calmly approach it it ran off and out of the garden :(

I did however get a closer look, it looked a bit on the thing side but not terribly skinny, it actually isn't as small as I originally thought, and looks like the black fur has a slight brown tinge to it. Green eyes I'm pretty sure.

Couldn't get a picture but will try my best - I have to leave for work soon!

[d walker]

Would Celia Hammond be able to give you a cat trap? Or SNARL rescue in South Norwood, if s/he really hungry may be able to use a trap to help you get it to a vet for scanning.

[rosa_p]

When I spoke to CH yesterday they didn't say anything about lending a trap, but I'm sure they don't have many so wouldn't want to suggest it as a first option. So thanks that's a good idea. I'm going to try and set the cat flap to a one-way setting and see if we can tempt the cat in and keep it in, but if that doesn't work then will try and borrow a trap. I hope we can sort this before we move!

d walker Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Would Celia Hammond be able to give you a cat

> trap? Or SNARL rescue in South Norwood, if s/he

> really hungry may be able to use a trap to help

> you get it to a vet for scanning.

[d walker]

Sounds good idea, really hope for you and cat you manage to get him or her.

[Alec1]

I am wondering if this is the cat I saw on Trossachs Road last night. Quite thin looking but didn't run away so maybe not the same one. I was about two foot away from it and it was miaowing. Obviously don't want to assume it is as it might belong to a neighbour!!!

[rosa_p]

Possibly, but this one really won't let us get near, although I've heard it miaowing at night :(

It seems to be hanging around our garden and the neighbouring gardens and we're on Colwell Road so I'm not sure how far it's wandering!

[Delainie]

Have sent you pm re Celia Hammond & getting trap.

[d walker]

Any update on this cat? Did you manage to catch him/her and take vet for scanning? Hoping for happy ending.

[rosa_p]

Sorry for the late reply - have been very hectic moving house!

With help from Delainie we managed to borrow a trap from CH and catch him, as he was not letting anyone approach him. She took him to CH and he was scanned but sadly no microchip and wasn't neutered either. I believe Delainie is currently looking to find him a home, as otherwise CH will have no choice but to leave him back where he was found as he's not ill or injured and they don't have the space to take him in!