this post was submitted on 23 Feb 2026
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You are a kind soul, may I suggest some things?
stop patting the black cat. Only because it might have a disease you can't see and Melbcat is fragile at the moment.
notify the council and local shelters/rescue orgs of the black cat. BC will need to be captured and assessed to determine what issues they may have, and whether they can be treated/rehabbed.
focus on you and Melbcat. You two are most important.
Thanks Spud. I really should stop patting him… 💔
spoiler
I was aware of the possibility of ringworm due to tiny round patches of hair loss but took measures such as wearing long clothing then removing shoes, washing hands thoroughly like the signs say to, fully showering and changing into fresh clothing afterwards (putting the old stuff in the wash immediately).He wants affection you see, and will brush up against your arms and legs.
I think this lesion happened because a single time I rushed out in shorts to get him dosed with a flea and worm spot on, he head bunted my knee, and I must have neglected to wash that area thoroughly in the shower afterwards. I slipped up. I forgot and walked in the house a few times with shoes on too.
I’ve been resisting turning him in because 1. the risk of euthanasia is likely high and the vet and pet shop manager I’ve spoken to agree. And 2. there’s a non-zero chance he may belong to a neighbour, maybe even an aggressive mentally ill neighbour who looks for reasons to take revenge.
I would very likely have to trap him myself to turn him in which could be a very complicated process. I can talk to someone who worked in cat rescue about my options but as an adult black cat with suspected ringworm and possible cat flu I’m scared of getting him killed.
But I may have to concentrate on Melbcat because she doesn’t seem in a good way.
just do what you can and feel comfortable with, hugs