First time on soft surface after 6 years of cement and brick
I moved in a new house in East London about 8 months ago. Saw him in the parking lots but he seemed shy. In March, I started finding him in front of my door after I got a new door rug. I realised it was because it was softer for him to sleep
on so I put a pillow in a crate for him in a little sheltered space in front of my door. He slept there every night since and spends most of his time in front of my door. I treated him for fleas and worms and he became much happier. For 2 months I’ve been feeding him regularly but he didn’t want to come in the house to start with. I started feeding him inside and he slowly became more comfortable in the space. For the last week he has been barging in whenever I open the door (and he’s not sleeping in his box just a few feet away).
I have hard floors downstairs but I put up a few places where he could sleep. He did have a few preferred places but doesn’t like to stay in more than an hour after he eats. He would go at the door and meow to be let out. I checked the cameras and he just goes to his pillow and spends the rest of the day there
Today, I let him go upstairs for the first time where the floor is carpeted. The carpets are thick and new. He spent a whole hour just pushing different parts of his body in the softness. I’ve never seen a cat have a spa day before.
I guess I’ll see how the situation goes and if he wants to spend more time inside, I’m definitely interested in adopting him properly. I still want to take him to the vet and make sure any issues he has are dealt with. The problem is that a neighbour claimed the cat is his. When Oscar, the cat, first started sleeping by my door, after about a week, a neighbour came and took him. The cat was back a few hours later. A second time happened a few days later, the cat was back about 4 hours after. Since then, he comes to check on the cat about once every 10 days. I think he leaves dry food out but there are many other cats and foxes in the area, plus Oscar has lost most teeth so prefers wet food, which I provide ( I even mush it with a spoon 😂)
We talked twice and while he seemed ok with me taking care of the cat, he did both times made it seem like he considers the cat his. I found out it was abandoned by someone who moved out 6 years ago and he’s cared for it. And by that I mean he put out food from time to time and, as far as I can see, no shelter. He told me Oscar doesn’t like to play, I play with him every day.
I’ll be traveling a bit in June (I’ve arranged friends to come and feed him at least once a day) but I’d like to properly adopt him when I’m back. Any suggestions on what do to if the neighbour tries to prevent me?