We found a young black cat, probably around 20 weeks old, trapped inside a school.
We have no idea how long sheād been in there or how she got in. She was absolutely terrified when she was found and is still very wary of people. She wonāt let us touch or pick her up yet, although she will sit in the same room with us and is gradually getting a little more confident.
Weāve had her scanned and a microchip number does come up, but so far it hasnāt led us to an owner, as it is unregistered. Weāve called all the local vets and rescues we can think of, checked lost pet pages and actively posted in local community groups. We deliberately havenāt posted clear pictures of her because if someone does come forward, we want them to be able to identify her properly rather than just saying sheās theirs.
Nobody has contacted us looking for her so far.
She clearly has some experience of being in a home. She knew immediately how to use a litter tray, she eats extremely well, drinks normally and generally seems physically okay.
Her behaviour is a bit odd though. During the day she mostly hides, sleeps or watches us from a safe distance. Then at night she apparently decides she owns the place and wakes up to terrorise us. š Iāve actually been sleeping on the sofa in the room sheās in because I didnāt want her to be alone while she settled.
Then, from around 5am, she sits at the window and meows incessantly. Not distressed screaming, just constant little meows while staring outside. It makes me wonder whether she recognises the area, is looking for somewhere/someone, wants to get out, or is simply a young cat who has realised there is an entire world beyond the glass.
Iām really torn about what to do next.
I would genuinely love to keep her, and if Iām honest itās obviously starting to lean that way. But I work full time and I also care for my mum, who is quite ill and is at home a lot, so adding a young cat into the mix does feel like quite a lot.
At the same time, I couldnāt see her left where she was. And now sheās here, safe and slowly settling, the idea of moving her again or sending her into rescue feels awful unless that is genuinely the best thing for her.
Obviously, if she has an owner who is genuinely missing her, I want to find them.
But if you were in this situation, how long would you keep actively searching before accepting that nobody may be coming forward? Is there anything else you would be doing to try to trace an owner?
And for people who have taken in frightened young cats before, does the hiding all day / chaos all night / shouting at the window at 5am sound fairly normal for a cat settling into a completely new environment?
Thank you in advance for your help.