What to Do When You've Found a Stray Cat

Discovering a stray cat can be quite distressing as it may not be clear what you are supposed to do in that situation. Stray cats will often need assistance as they can not fend for themselves which means that it is your responsibility to find this fearful feline a loving home, whether that be your own or someone else’s.

Identify the Cat

Stray cats are cats who were once pets but have been abandoned or lost. The number one thing to do when you find a stray cat is to determine whether it has had a previous owner or if the feline is actually feral. One of the simplest ways to work this out is to determine whether the cat reacts well to human interaction. This could mean allowing you to eventually pet them or even something as simple as not running away when you come near, although most cats will shy to strangers to begin with. Feeding the cat will help you recognise whether the cat is feral or not as a stray cat will eventually warm up to the one who feeds him but a feral cat will only eat without a human near. Feral cats are usually much more well groomed than stray cats as they have gotten used to fending for themselves whilst stray cats may seem unnourished or have matted fur as they are unlikely to understand how to survive without a human to feed and care for them. If you come to the conclusion that the cat is feral then your best option is to leave it be and let it do as it pleases. Legally, the Government has no responsibility to help a feral cat as they are considered completely capable of defending themselves.

Try to Find an Owner

After determining that the cat is a stray your immediate reaction should be to search for an owner. The most obvious indication this pussycat already has a human companion is to check whether it is wearing a collar or not. Most collars will have an address or phone number that you can call to return the cat to. If there is no collar to be found the best idea is to make a “Found Cat” poster which should feature a description of the cat, where you found it and a picture if possible. You should put these posters up in popular local areas or go from door to door handing them out and asking if anyone has lost their cat. We also recommend searching local forums and social media as cats have been know to hop in vans or buses and travel a long way from their homes. Pets Located is a good website for exactly this purpose. One simple trick you should always try is a paper collar. This simply means writing your name/address/phone number on a slip of paper as a makeshift collar and putting it around the cats neck. This will ensure that if the cat is simply wandering away from home during the night/day, it’s owner will be aware that their cat has been visiting other homes. If none of these options work out, you can almost guarantee that there isn’t anyone desperately searching for this stray.

Earn the Cat’s Trust

Once you have established that the cat in question does not have a deflated owner searching for their feline friend, the next step is to lure it in with food and fresh water. We recommend some kind of red meat type cat food for your cat as it will probably be used to catching mice and such by the time you discover it. It is altogether crucial that you don’t give a stray cat milk to drink as their diet would not adapt well to dairy. The key is to place the bowl near where you most frequently see the stray and then progressively bring the food closer to your home . Make sure to place the food and water at the exact same time everyday in order to recreate a schedule. If the cat truly is a stray, it should catch on quickly and know when to return to be fed. Remember not to rush the process as moving the food too quickly might scare off the cat. Make sure the animal is completely comfortable with your presence before even thinking of moving the bowl nearer to your home as you will need your cat to trust you. This process might take a few weeks but eventually your cat should be comfortable with entering your home. Once you lure the cat inside keep it in a clean, preferably spare room with some food and fresh water and then immediately call your local RSPCA center or local vet, depending on whether you plan to take care of the cat yourself or not. If you already own any cats make sure to keep them separated until you are sure that the stray is fully healthy and always remember to wash your hands after handling the stray cat.

Finding a New Home

If you are unable to take care of the cat yourself you should locate and call your local RSPCA center to find out what you should do next. They will tell you how to handle the stray and where you can take it. It would also be a wise choice to take the stray to your local vet as they can scan for a microchip which will tell you for sure whether the cat has an owner already. If you choose to take care of the stray yourself you should ask the vet to check if the feline has any diseases or infections you should be made aware of. You must ensure that you have the correct living conditions to house a cat, for example; plenty of cat food, water, shelter, cat litter etc. And finally, the most important thing you need in order to adopt a stray cat is love. Make sure you have the time and consideration needed to show your pussycat the attention and adoration it deserves and remember to cherish every moment you share with your furry friend.]]>