Poor puss

[Sharlee]

Today and yesterday I have taken the kids walking. Both days we have seen a cat in front of a house with 'for sale' signs out the front, I don't think anybody is living there. The cat has been asleep in the bushes both days. Today I noticed it has a huge lump hanging out of one eye - I presume it is an absess. The cat does have a bell and collar. I asked DH if we could pick it up and take it to the vet if it's still there tonight, but he told me to stay away :( because it will give me nightmares (I have bad nightmares, mainly about my childhood). We have 2 cats so I can't bring it home.

What would you do?

[Melissa1983]

Hi
That poor cat.
Maybe ring the vets and see if they can do anything, maybe they can pick it up?

[flower]

Hmmm. I would go get it...take it to the vets. Worst/ best case..it will be euthanised and not left to suffer. Me leaving it there to suffer alone and scared under a bush would be enough to give me nightmares...certainly NOT from helping it.
O's mom.

[carls]

Definitely pick it up and take it to the vet.

I wouldnt like to think that an animal is in pain and possibly starving when I could have done something about it. :)

[Miaow]

Id get it and take it to the vet also, Id also check with the neighbours to see if they know it was from that house just in case it is one of theirs (though if it is makes you wonder why a person would just leave a cat with a growth in its eye:( )

[flower]

I'd say you answered your own Q Cathyn.....
I own a stray called Annie...same story: People moved...too hard and inconvenient to take the moggy.
He has got to be the nicest cat I've ever owned in my whole life...(Or staff that he's ever had...).
O's mom.

[ThomasMum]

You could either take it to the vet or/and then call the RSPCA

Poor cat :(

[tickle]

I'd definately take it to the vet.
If it is a stray vets won't charge you (unless they are really mean), they will do what they can and then pass the cat on to the RSPCA.
Even if they just put it to sleep, at least it isn't in pain anymore.

[happyone]

Don't take it to the vet. That is unless you have cash to spare. I'd ring the RSPCA. If it's in too bad a shape they'll put it down at least then your not out of pocket.
Poor cat though :( some people don't deserve pets. Makes you wonder what kind of parents they'd make.

[Shazbutt]

If you're worried about getting caught out and having to pay if you take the cat to the vet, which i myself would definitely do....then maybe you could ring first to see whether they cover it or not. You don't want to get caught paying for treatment, but i would feel terrible leaving it there to suffer too....poor thing.... :(

[tickle]

I used to be a vet nurse and I have never worked anywhere that charged someone when they brought in a stray. I guess it depends but really what are they going to do when you drop it off there and tell them you found it, follow you home and make you pay???
I just feel like going to pick it up now, where do you live??

[flower]

Don't take it to the vet. That is unless you have cash to spare. I'd ring the RSPCA. If it's in too bad a shape they'll put it down at least then your not out of pocket..

Euthanasia isn't a 'freebie' HappyOne.
O's mom.

[wattle]

I'd ring the rspca - just in case kitty has diseases. Puss might be hard to catch if it's been neglected and is in pain.

[Shazbutt]

So...what did you decide to do in the end?