There is an over weight black and white cat who always sits in the courtyard of my housing block just off Devonshire Road. The locals call him Tommy. It's getting very cold and I'm worried about him because he doesn't seem to have anywhere to go.

Does anyone recognize this description and know who his owners are? Is he just one of those cats who likes to be out or should I take him to a cat shelter?

If the cat is on the chunky side it may be that rather than having no home it in fact has several homes.

There's also a friendly black and white cat who loiters nearby on Manor Mount. No collar, a little on the cuddly side. Definitely doesn't look hungry.

Yeah this one picks up snacks from locals easily. There's an old woman who calls for him at midnight so I think he's her cat. Maybe he's just a bit of a cad and likes to be out late picking up treats...

Update :

The cat has been outside throughout all of the coldest weather and I finally got chatting with the lady I saw calling him the other night who said this cat belonged to someone on the Devonshire Road. Apparently the RSPCA is involved but was taking a long time to act.

Given that the temperatures were approaching sub zero and I was ankle deep in snow I popped him in a cat carrier and took him to Battersea Cats Home last night.

I followed up what happened last night with a call to Battersea to see how the cat is doing. They informed me that the cat is chipped and they had attempted to make contact with the owners. I let them know that the RSPCA is investigating and they said there was largely nothing that could be done. If the owners wanted to come and pick the cat up there is nothing to stop them doing so.

I hope the owners do the right thing and let the cat go. If they choose to claim the cat in order to leave him outside in the cold it will be very difficult to think of a way round this.

Does anyone have a more in depth knowledge of animal protection law?

All I care about is the well being of this cat and I'm certain leaving a domestic cat in snow and freezing temperatures over extended periods of time MUST be an act of cruelty.

I would welcome any advice regarding this.

Thanks fellow HOP board members!

It's nice to know there are people around like you Pico. Poor cat.

Can't say I've ever been impressed with the RSPCA and their 'support'. I think you did a very kind thing Pico, you obviously have a good heart

A local charity that might be able to advise and help are the Celia Hammond Animal Trust http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?mo...tion=35:35 I know they have local volunteeers in and around forest hill dealing with home visits and feral groups (cats, not kids - sorry if anyone got their hopes up!)