So, I was walking this afternoon after work on my way to the shop when this little cat ran out of some bushes and started making a lot of noise and being very friendly.
I bent down to stroke it and it was so thin
I walked to the shop and bought a couple of items, one being some chicken for the cat as I was so concerned. When I got back, nothing, until I made a little noise with my mouth and out of the bushes it shot. It could smell the chicken and it was going mad. I bent down and it was attacking the packet. I'd already opened it and ripped it up so it was smaller for the cat to eat. I put the packet down by the bushes and it devoured it (5 slices) so i'd say it was pretty hungry. I left once I was satisfied it had had a good meal.
I was very concerned so I went to my vets as I still had to return some insulin needles and a sharps box, so I asked when there and the vet said RSPCA (I had thought this but wanted advice).
I contacted RSPCA and they just rang. They say if I can catch it and put it in a box (no carrier anymore as this was left at the crematorium when Minty went and had to be cut open as they couldn't get frozen Minty out) they'd come and collect the cat from my place. Alternately, go to the same place tomorrow and call them from there and they'll get someone out ASAP to come out and see the cat, so all I need to do is monitor the cat in that time. I saw the cat about a month ago and it didn't come to me so I don't know how thin it was then as it was sat down in the bushes.
It did have a collar and I think it had a silver tag but it wouldn't let me look - it was so lively for such a skinny thing.
I think I have done the right thing. It could have a good owner and it could just have an illness which is being treated but i'd rather an owner then be unhappy with me for caring than ignore the fact this cat looks ill and is actually neglected.