Can you just take a cat?

Can you check with the vet if it has a microchip? If not put flyers up in your area and local shelters? If no one claims I reckon you could keep it.

We took a mis-treated kitten (through a vets) in January and the cat really didn't take to him that well, it is much better now 6 months on but not perfect (hissing and fighting occasionall). I think it depends on the cats but advice on Vet websites etc say it can take up to year to settle in, some will take to each other a lot quicker than that though.

In terms of taking the cat in, I would suggest asking neighbours first if they know if it belongs to anyone, then take it to the vets to be microchipped scanned, and possibly even contact the RSPCA or similar to say to them that you have found it and are taking it in, but don't want to be accused of cat-napping - they may also be able to suggest whether you need to put up posters or wot-not.

Obviously there is the additional cost of food and vet fees to think about, and cattery costs if you don't have someone to look after them when you are away (£220 for our two cats for 19 days over wedding/honeymoon - ouch!)

Are you feeding it now, and is he(?) coming back regularly?

I would buy a cheap collar and put it on him with a tag saying something like "Am i owned? please contact me *insert your number*

I'm a veterinary nurse and normally when we get strays in at work we have them for 1 week and if no-one comes forward then they can go for re-homing. Definatly take him to your local vets and get them to scan him for a microchip, also put up flyers if you can.

If you do end up having him you can buy something called Feliway which is a natural pheromone spray that makes them feel at ease (like when they were back in their litter), this may help both cats settle down. Also make sure you get him checked for felv/fiv, these are diseases they get, and are like human aids, if they have these its nicer to have them euthanased as they can infect other animals and your own cat if you're unlucky. But honestly i'm not trying to scare you, but just ask your vet about all these things.

Good luck

We thought of taking him to RSPCA and seeing if they can take a look though I dont think they would help us as we prob earn too much.

S/he is such a cute cat tho, cant tell if male or female- no balls but I thought it was v rare for ginger girls?

If a cat has FIV or FAIDS is it a must that we have them put down?

I think with felv/fiv it's not essential to have them put down, but it is probably for the better in the long run as the illness will eventually take hold and they will be more prone to other ailments. As gsijane says, there is a risk that your own cat could get infected if they fight. I know one of my local rescue centres will rehome infected cats, but only to homes where they will be the only pet and kept indoors.

Oh and my mum has a female ginger - Harriet ?

Please make a huge effort to find out if the cat actually is a stray. A couple, two roads from us decided our cat was a stray, despite her having a collar, as they said she was very thin, so must be a stray. She is thin but perfectly healthy - regualr checks at the vets and all that. They started feeding her and generally adopted our cat! They even took her collar off! They also fed her inappropraite food which gave her an upset tummy. It's been pretty upsetting and taken a while to wean her off them, and politely tell them to leave our cat alone!

Agree with Stripeyrache, rescue centres are very particular about re-homing felv/fiv positive cats to any home, but they will never normally re-home a cat to a home where it can be left outdoors.

Some stray felv/fiv cats are so happy outside it's just cruel to keep them stuck indoors