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!