This black tomcat has been living by Regent’s Canal in Islington for a few years. He is unneutered and looks quite rough, with one torn ear, constantly dirty. I often see him not far from Sturt's Lock, past Packington Bridge towards Rosemary Branch. Does anyone know if he has an owner or is being cared for? He seems neglected and lonely and may need some help, but I'm hesitant to step in because I'm afraid that he might have an owner. I've never met anyone living around there to ask. He seemed to try to get into one of the flat's windows, but no one opened them for him. He also hangs out with another black buddy, that seems younger and in a better shape, and a clearly domestic cat that lives nearby.
Thank you!
EDIT: for those who say he seems well-fed – lovelies, it's just his face. His body is much smaller, on the thin side. Ribs are not sticking, thankfully, but I can't say he eats very well by looking at him.
This is the picture from 2024. This year, he looks dirtier, rougher, with quite a few new scars, a bit matted.
I cannot approach him as he doesn't react to me (I saw only 2 times for 3 years someone petting him).
For those, who say to leave him alone: I agree with you, fellas, if there's no need to help him, I won't – that's why I am asking people who, hopefully, leave around the area if he needs help, and don't spring into action straight away. So chill.

by Cupidindisguise

25 comments

  1. If you’re able to get close to him you could borrow or buy a cheap microchip scanner to see if he’s chipped.

  4. Doesn’t look emaciated so I’m pretty sure he’s fine and being fed regularly.

  5. Why do you think he’s rough-looking? He Looks quite well fed to me…

    He should be neutered, but I’d be fairly certain he has an owner

  6. Not everything needs rescuing, leave him to his life that obviously works

  7. He looks so cute🥹
    You can buy a microchip scanner for as little as £25 and use it to scan the back of his neck. A useful little thingy to have

    To be fair, there’s quite a few irresponsible owners who ‘own’ a cat, don’t really feed it regularly, definitely don’t take it to the vet and with that, don’t get it microchipped.

    Does he let you come near him?

    If you don’t intend to take him in by yourself (and take him to a vet to get checked, scanned etc), you could contact a few local cat organizations and see if they could do a TNR (trap, neuter and release). They could see if the cat is microchipped, and if it isn’t, you get a choice of helping this poor chap by providing him a stable home:)

    If not, they will release him in the same area they got him from, usually the same day he gets the operation, which I think is just appalling (looking at you Celia Hammond), but hey, apparently the cat charities are overflowing with cats and they don’t have space to keep random stray cats off the streets anymore🤷‍♀️

    Edit: Everything I’ve said here comes from my personal experience dealing with cat charities and not just in my area of London. I’ve been trying to rescue two stray cats from my street, and after repeatedly contacting nearly 20 organisations over 2 months, begging for help, and even donating money in hopes of sweetening the deal, the only people willing to help were outside of London lol.

    In the end, I had to catch the cats myself and drive them an hour out of the city.

  8. How do you know he’s not neutered? Did he give you a sexy look?

  9. They cat is on the older scale but not rough, looks well fed and cared for. If you’ve seen consistent sightings I’d say he lives in a flat near by. My cat wanted to be outside, day/ night summer/ winter. Some just don’t like being cooped up all day

  10. He could be from one of the boats in the nearby marina! He looks very well fed and happy so I imagine he’s fine.

  12. Yeah he’s mine mate, his name is Graham, just feed him some kippers and get on with your day.

  17. Size of face could suggest he isn’t neutered…possibly a tom enjoying the sun

  19. You would probably be better off posting on some more local groups for Islington and your locality – Facebook, Next Door, WhatsApp if there’s one for your street. Also there’s a London lost cats Facebook group that’s very active. I posted my cat in the lost cats group and on Next Door before she was my cat and got responses identifying her within a day – that was in Islington too.

    I had linked to the group but it seems that’s not allowed here, but if you search for London cats lost found it should come up. I barely use Facebook but it is useful for this sort of thing.

  21. Looks happy enough to me, just a normal city Tom cat.

  22. We had a Tom who lived under a bridge on the river Witham I. Boston every one new him and every one was sad when he died I couldn’t give him a home because of the dogs but later many felt guilty for not trying I’d say your lovely boy is the same 😢

  24. Stray male cats that aren’t neutered have large faces like that so he might just be not neutered

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