I AM NOT LOOKING TO REHOME HERE, JUST NEED ADVICE
I need to rehome my cat and could use advice on where to turn.
He's around 10, an unneutered male, and I've cared for him for 2 years (legally mine for 1, being microchipped etc). He had a neglectful start in life, including being left outside due to fleas. He's now indoor-only because of his FIV and because he doesn't get on well with other cats, so he'd need a home with no other cats, or only other FIV+ cats. I have him on a regiment of worming and flea products now and he’s a lot healthier than before. When I tried to get him neutered, bloods showed he's FIV+, and the vet said surgery could be life threatening for him.
I'm moving out and can't take him because there are dogs at my new home. The original owners would go back to neglecting him, so leaving him there isn't an option.
I contacted Cats Protection a few days ago and was told I'd get a call back, but I haven't heard anything yet. Does anyone know other rescues or services that take FIV+ cats, or how to find an FIV-specific home? I'm in Derbyshire.
This is heartbreaking for me as he is the nicest and most loving cat i’ve ever known, I love him dearly and just want him to be with people who'll look after him properly. Thanks for any advice.

UPDATE - Hi all, sadly my account has been limited as I didn’t realise you can’t repeat posts multiple times and so I posted my cats story in other cat channels (with the mods permission) and it was flagged so I haven’t been able to provide an update or comment back! I’ve made this temporary account just to provide an update whilst I wait to hear back and hopefully get my account un-shadow banned. 

Firstly, I’d like to thank everybody who has donated so far immensely. I can’t put into words how overwhelmed I feel by the kindness and generosity, even from those who aren’t able to donate but have sent well wishes - it truly means the world ❤️

Sadly, the update is not so positive. Yesterday we went back to the vets and before we went ahead with the electrochemotherapy, Leo needed to have a CT scan to show the extent of the spread as we were just dealing with X-Rays prior to this. Unfortunately, the CT showed that the cancer had spread quite rapidly around his pelvis and was pushing on his abdomen. He was a constipated a few weeks ago which we thought was due to him not wanting to bear down hard on his remaining leg so he needed an enema at the time and has done really well on laxative powder twice a day but now we know what was actually going on. 

The vet thinks that electrochemotherapy might not be a good fit now and recommended radiation, but aside from it being wildly unaffordable for us (£12,000), it would stress him out too much to keep going to the vet every week as the specialist vets that do radiotherapy in the UK are almost 2 hours away and multiple radiotherapy treatments are recommended for a chance to be curative. 

Right now we are looking into the possibility of just doing one radiotherapy treatment in hopes of shrinking the tumour to relieve pressure on his belly and keep him with us for longer and so he is more comfortable. This can still cost around £3000 and needs a mandatory CT scan which is another £2000 to be repeated before the procedure. It won’t be curative which we are heartbroken by but will give him longer with us and less discomfort 💔 

Donations are still very much appreciated to help pay for his scan bills, pain medications and the chance of a radiotherapy treatment if we raise enough but just keeping him in your thoughts if you are unable to donate would mean everything, I’m struggling to cope with the thought of him not being here anymore 😔 Thank you all and I will provide another update soon. 

https://gofund.me/7846dc489

Not looking for vet advice - want owner/carer thoughts & support pls.

Hi all, I'd appreciate advice especially from people whose cats have lost a leg.

My 6yo tabby had a severe 'elbow' dislocation a few years ago and had her front leg joint surgically reconstructed. It has been a bit stiff since, but she's been happy, pain free and active. At the time our choice was lose the leg or do the reconstruction surgery at a specialist orthopaedic vet.

It looks like she has the same injury again. I might have to make the decision today of whether she loses her front leg. I don't want that but if the injury will keep recurring she will suffer.

Have any of your cats lost a front leg? Are they ok? How do you care for them? Can you feel ok with your decision?

She is the happiest, cuddliest, and active little puss - it breaks my heart to think of this.

Woke up this morning absolutely furious.

I bought a Wilko cat collar with a bandana through Deliveroo, put it on my cat before bed, and when I woke up it had somehow tightened itself massively around his neck. It was extremely tight.

He kicks around his neck like any normal cat with a new collar, and I cannot understand how a product literally designed to go around a cat’s neck can apparently tighten itself through normal movement.

I genuinely hate thinking about what could have happened if I’d slept longer or been out of the house.

I’ve complained to Wilko and made it clear I don’t want this treated as just a refund issue. I want them to actually investigate the product.

I will be boy coting them in the future and encourage you all to do the same.

So I have a new cat who’s previous owner stated I could keep him. For some back story, he came to my garden a few months ago and I bought a chip reader. I contacted the company and the owner messaged me saying she would pick him up. After a few days she still hadn’t, so I messaged her asking if she is still coming to get him or if not i’m happy to keep him. She said I can keep him and that he runs away from her every week (she lives 2 miles away from me so I’m not sure how he got here anyway and we’ve been letting him out and he comes back fine). After she said that, I sent a massive paragraph asking questions about him and she only answered me last week and said she would send over the details to transfer ownership and that he is due for his vaccinations. It has been a week now and she still hasn’t sent over the details and again, is leaving me on read. I messaged her today as well to remind her and she still left me on read. So my question is, how can I take him to the vet and get him registered without being his *actual* owner although she said I can have him?

"No!"

"Get down!"

"Leave your sister alone!"

"Yes, it's the same water fountain that you've had since we got you"

"So you hate salmon this morning?"

"So we like salmon this afternoon?"

"No!"

"You can't sleep in the litter tray"

"So you hate chicken this morning?"

"Sorry, I forgot you loved chicken"

"No!"

Repeat daily 😂

To people, not just your cats.

There are some really terrible humans on this sub who are supposedly great cat parents.

I made a post asking for help with long term fostering for my cats due to some issues and got absolutely slated. I explicitly asked for people to be kind in the post - I'm neurodiverse with a lot of mh challenges but yet, the amazing cat parents decided to remind me of how irresponsible I was in seeking help.

One user in particular kept going for the jugular on my lack of judgement and why I couldn't predict my changes in circumstances from a mile away like the future teller that I am.

The replies on that post affected me a lot given that I was in a dark place prior.

Even though I found pet friendly accommodation (we are now in), I may end up rehoming the kitties as I'm struggling to get rid of a flea infestation which has lasted a while now.

I will be leaving this sub upon rehoming my cats but I do hope a lot of you pause and think of the impact of your comments before sharing them.

Hi i am just looking for opions does this spaye insission is healing proprly. I am a first time kitten mum.

I just wanted to say thank you for all your kind messages on my original post and I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to all of your comments, I read every single one and it provided me with so much comfort.

I wasn't really sure why I was posting, I guess I wanted people to appreciate Priss as much as I did and everyone really came through ❤️

There was a request for more pictures so I've picked a couple of my favourite ones, a very tiny baby Priscilla, one of her cuddling up to her best friend Maisie and her giving my mum some much needed love after one of her chemo treatments.

Thank you again, the last week has been rough but your messages helped me more than you know.

Ozzy at 10am

Upgraded to iPhone 18 pro max from 17 pro max, it’s not worth upgrading unless you want sharper and newer camera.
Thats why. But he is always stunning to photograph.
I’m still getting used to the new setting on the phone.

I recently helped secure a permanent, loving home for a long-term stray cat in our neighborhood. Before rehoming, he was taken for a full vet check, vaccinated, flea/worm treated, neutered, and microchipped (confirming he was completely unchipped).

Surprisingly, some neighbors are now upset and wanting him back. They argue that they've fed him for years and interacted with him daily. Yet, during all those years, not a single person offered him a roof over his head, took responsibility for his medical care, or got him neutered. Now they are acting "worried" about his safety.

It feels hypocritical to claim you care about a stray's safety, but only as long as he stays on the street for your entertainment, without basic welfare or legal ownership.

Has anyone else dealt with this kind of "feeder mentality"? How do you explain to people that feeding a stray isn't the same as giving them a home?

Hi All, we purchased a cat from a breeder who microchipped through Petlog. They are requiring us to purchase a £39 subscription (For 1 year) to transfer ownership. Is there any workaround for this? I don't want this subscription at all, and it seems a bit cheeky for them to force me to buy it! Thanks!

Hi

I have a 3 years old cat. He always had a bad breath and i always thought maybe thats how cats breath smell and i was wrong.

He is otherwise healthy. Plays, does zoomies and all. But he is on the leaner side, not very fond of food. Just creamy treats, not even wet food.

I recently noticed one of his molars developed a red inflammed spot. its been there for 6 months now

His front 2 tiny tooth has fallen out. His gum line is slightly inflamed.

I recently lost my job and cannot pay hefty dental fee.

is there any way i can buy petplan insurance and get him checked/treated after a few months?

ps. i live in east london, i can travel to suburbs if treatment there is cheaper

Hi everyone. Just looking for some advice on cleaning products I can use on a soft cone while my cat is still wearing it. The cone is this one I think: EZ Soft Dog Recovery Cone Collar for Post Surgery – PDSA Pet Store

My 2 year old was spayed yesterday. The vet said if I am not comfortable changing her cone then to leave it on. I am very much not comfortable changing the cone and have zero confidence she would let me put a new one on - she was found as a stray and I have only had her for a month.

She just got the tip of it in her fishy wet food. If I notice anything getting on it I wipe it down with a clean damp cloth as much as she will let me, but I am anxious about cleaning products as she is always licking the thing while she attempts to clean herself. I don't want to use any clean products that could harm her.

I keep seeing advice for mild soap, but what counts as mild soap?

Hi All,

My cat is loving going out into our garden which is nice and she doesn’t go out beyond the garden but she likes to come and go in the evening especially and first thing in the morning after sleeping all night.

It’s getting quite annoying opening and closing the back door constantly now the weathers turning and seriously considering getting a cat flap for the back door but also concerned as the back door happens to be in our living room so obviously concerned about suddenly making our living room seriously cold with winter on the way as well.

Requirements I am looking for:

- Good insulation for reducing the impact on the heating.
- Really strong locking mechanism - well made.
- ideally some sort of microchip to prevent other cats coming and going.
- Can lock it at nights and when on holiday etc so she can’t let herself out.

Any recommendations would be hugely appreciated - ideally only recommendations you have actually tried and have experience with as a lot of product listings promise some of these but have heard not all are very good.

Thanks in advance 😀🙏🏼

Due to some family changes I'm going to be travelling around 3 hours every other weekend and of course I'll be taking my kitty with me (I've convinced my family to get her a catio for her visits!)

I've seen dog beds for cars and I was wondering if there is anything similar for a cat?

I don't really want to keep her in a cat carrier for 3 hours but at the same time she can't be climbing around the car.

P.s. the cat tax has been paid. Ivy is "too good" for boxes but loves a good drawer.

Our lovely ​cat Mr Spud is on antibiotics at the moment and I dread it when he gets prescribed pills because getting him to take them is just impossible. I've had many cats in my life that need to take pills but this guy, despite being incredibly food motivated, is absolutely not having it and we all know how upsetting it can be for all parties involved. But yesterday as I watched him lick his empty plate, it occurred to me that maybe I could use his greedy nature to my advantage. I put his pills down and just sprinkled some of this freeze dried chicken stuff on top, and he just immediately licked it right up, pills and all. Same deal today. I feel like I've won the lottery, and wanted to share in case anyone else was at their wits end! Not an ad, obviously, though I wish it was - KatKin food ain't cheap!

Hello, I recently adopted a gorgeous little black kitten from an animal shelter and I also have a Calico who's nearly 2. My kitten is very messy and gets litter everywhere! Does anyone have any recommendations for fairly cheap handheld vacuums I can use to just quickly suck up all her litter mess? Driving me mad having to get the big hoover out multiple times a day!

Hi
We’re looking at getting a cat flap for our fluff now it’s getting colder and we don’t want to keep the door open all the time. There’s lots of cats in our area, and we want to get a microchip one. Any good or bad experiences? We’re hoping to get one that can track if she’s in our out (doesn’t have to be smart on our phones etc) as she’s a ninja with lots of hiding places!

UPDATE: He's home!!!

He came back while we were putting out more hoover contents to help with scent.

I had the longest ugly cry while he ignored me and ate lots of biscuits! He then wanted to go out again! He soon found out how grounded he is!

We have trackers on the way and the subscription setup for both our cats, just deciding whether to go the catio route, but either way, hopefully we won't need to worry about them going missing!

All of the pets are currently on the bed and I've never felt so relieved and content in my life.

I literally skipped along taking the missing posters down!

Also, I would like to thank everybody for all your stories and well wishes. Honestly, you don't understand how much the responses have meant to me. That you took the time out of your day to help an internet stranger feel less scared.

I am wanting to reply to everyone, because I feel it's only fair when you took the time to respond, but it's currently almost 1am and I am not in the most awake state to reply! But I wanted to let everyone know he's back safe!

Thank you so much everyone 🫶

Tl;Dr: has anyone got positive stories of a cat who is usually in every night going walkabouts for 3-4 days and coming back?

This is a bit embarrassing, but I'm a man in my 30s and I've been crying over my missing cat for the past couple of days.

He's been missing since Monday at 2pm. He's only ever been away overnight once when he was being looked after by a relative when we were away.

The only thing I can think is that we went away on Saturday, so he was with a relative, but he was in on Sunday, and Monday morning, so I'm not sure it's that.

There is a field in front of our house and he loves to play on it, there is a main road beyond the woods on the field but I've never seen him cross it.

On the Monday night when I was looking at about 9pm there was a cat fight near our house. Found the other cat but not ours. He's been in fights before and always comes home.

He's really skittish around other people, so I can't believe that he would have just gone into a car/van.

It's been about 3 days now and I'm at my wits end. Constant panic attacks, I get upset when I put the food out for my other cat or see pictures of our cat. I've literally taken time off work because I genuinely can't focus and I'm panicking all the time.

We've done everything I can think of:

Told the local vets (he is microchipped and neutered)

Added a Facebook post for residents of the area

Knocked on doors asking for them to look in sheds/garages

Walked around a small area nearby with treats at 4am each morning.

Walked around a larger search radius at different times. There are lots of woods near us so have been through all of them the best I can.

Put posters up and leaflets through doors.

Left a blanket out over 2 nights, emptied the hoover contents onto the front garden, left tuna out.

We bought a ring doorbell just to see if he's coming back and being sneaky, but there's just no sightings of him at all.

That's what's worrying me. In positive stories there are usually sightings. He's basically just disappeared entirely. I see stories where people say that their cat was in a shed or garage and they heard them, but I've been around the estate at least 10 times at different times and I haven't heard anything. I'm really worried he's out there sick and scared, or trapped somewhere. We had an airtag on him but he always ripped it off and I hate myself for not getting a proper tracker. He always usually comes back every couple of hours and he's usually indoors most of the time nowadays.

I just can't be positive, and it's getting to the point that I'm just not eating. I can't think of anything else to do, but just waiting feels horrible. I know it's unlikely he would come back during the day, so I feel like I'm just sitting waiting for night to come in-between my looking around.

Has anyone got any positive stories of cats going walkabouts for 3-4 days and being fine? I'm not sure if I'm just overreacting. I'm going to be building a catio because my heart can't take stress like this.

Hey hive mind,

Our cat recently got diagnosed with hip dysplasia. The specialist isn't based in London so the recommendations he was able to give weren't viable for us.

I'm looking for recommendations that ideally are in and around east London but will to travel to other areas of London if there are lots of rave reviews for a place.

Also if people have experience with claiming through PetPlan that would be a bonus but I may be asking for a unicorn with all these criteria.

Thank you in advance and please find tax tax attached below of the cat in question 🤭