Finding a lost cat on your doorstep can be a jarring experience. You no doubt want to help, but it's not always clear what kind of help a strange cat needs. Theymost likely belong to one of three categories. Either they have a home that they wandered away from, they have been abandoned and are now a stray, or they are a feral cat that has never been socialized to humans. It's important to determine which category you're dealing with before taking any action to help. If you're in the position of helping a stray cat, keep reading to learn which actions you should take.
If a cat shows up on your property, it's a good idea to observe their behavior from a safe distance before approaching to offer help. Feral cats and kittens have never been socialized to humans and might bite or scratch if you try to touch them — if you're even allowed to get that close.
While a friendly, approachable cat is likely not feral, some non-feral strays are shy and wary of strangers despite being socialized, so it's not always that easy to tell the difference. Alley Cat Allies offers a few signs to help you spot a feral cat:
If you think you might be dealing with a feral cat, it's best to keep your distance.You can call your local animal control if you suspect feral cats are living near you, as they are equipped to handle these wild cats.
After finding a lost cat and determining that they are not feral and is safe to approach, the next step is to figure out whether they are indeed simply lost or if they are a stray in need of a new home. If the cat is wearing a collar with ID, it's very likely that they are lost. In this case, simply call the number listed on theID to let her owner know their cat has been found safe and sound. You can also call the veterinarian listed on the vaccination tag, who should be able to put you in contact with the cat's guardian.
Unfortunately, it's not always so simple. Many people don't bother putting a collar or tags on their cats, so the fact that these are missing doesn't necessarily mean that they are homeless. You can take them to a vet or animal shelter to have them scanned for a microchip, which would have the guardian's contact information — but the lack of a chip also doesn't necessarily mean you're dealing with an abandoned cat.
With no easy way of identifying to whom the cat belongs, the next step is to check lost and found ads. It's also a good idea to ask around the neighborhood to see if anyone is missing a cat, or if anyone has seen "lost cat" posters that describe the cat in question. Be sure to also check the lost and found on websites such as Craigslist, Facebook lost pet groups, lost pet databases such as PetAmberAlert.com and call your local animal shelters. People will often call their local shelters when a pet is lost, so there is a chance that the shelter will be able to help you reunite the cat with the owner.
If none of your searching turns up an owner, the final step is to place your own "found cat" ads. You can utilize your social networks. It could be that someone in your extended network knows where the kitty belongs. Again, calling your animal shelter to let them know that you have found what you think to be a lost cat, so they can contact you if the owner calls in. If you do not have the capacity to care for the cat while you search for the owner, make sure to call your local shelter and ask if you can bring the cat in. Never leave a cat at the door of a local shelter or fire station.
Dealing with finding a lost cat takes a considerable amount of time, and you may find yourself fostering your feline guest for several days or even weeks. If you already have pets in the home, keep the new kitty quarantined either until you locate the owner or you can take the cat to the vet for a health check and vaccinations.
Once they get a clean bill of health, you can slowly introduce the new catto your pets. On the other hand, if you have no plans to keep them, you may decide to keep the cat segregated for the remainder of their stay with you.
If you've exhausted all your resources and failed to track down an owner, it's likely that the cat has been abandoned and is in need of a new home. In this case, you have a few options. You could, of course, adopt the cat yourself. If you do, your first step, if you haven't already done so, is to take them to the vet for a health check and to schedule vaccinations as well as spaying or neutering.
If you don't plan to keep her, you'll need to find a home for her. Start by calling local pet adoption shelters to see if there are any willing to take her. In the event that a shelter won't accept the cat, Cat Care Society recommends these steps to find a new home for your stray:
While feral cats can generally fend for themselves, you can make life easier for them by providing cat food and water— preferably in a location that can't be easily accessed by your own pets or kids — as well as shelter from the elements. The difficulty of helping feral cats is that they tend to multiply very quickly. These cats may carry diseases, too. The problem with feeding feral cats is that it promotes their ability to reproduce, which can lead to more cats living on the street, and because feral cats tend to roam together in groups, you could be inviting more cats to your home than you anticipated.
One option to help control the feral cat population in your neighborhood, reduce the risk of infectious diseases to your own pets, and potentially find homes for adoptable kittens is trap-neuter-return (TNR). There may be volunteering opportunities in your community to help with these efforts. TNR involves trapping feral cats and kittens, having them spayed or neutered and vaccinated, and either returning adult cats to their environment or finding homes or shelters to take in kittens.
Finding a lost cat can be quite a commitment if you decide to be a good Samaritan, but it's often worth it for the peace of mind and overall good feeling that comes with helping an animal in need. Who knows? That stray cat on your doorstep just might end up becoming a cherished companion.
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced salmon to help build immunity and a healthy digestive system
Fewer calories for less active cats
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Vegetable Entrée canned cat food provides nutrition for optimal digestive & skin health.
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced turkey & liver to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Nutrition to support urinary care and weight management with added ingredients to reduce stress in cats
Carefully made, gourmet daily nutrition. Tasty chunks with Salmon & Tuna in a decadent gravy. Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur.
Supports kitten growth, digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur
Delicious tender chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce with precisely balanced nutrition to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Delicious seared tuna paired with tender carrots in a mouthwatering sauce
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of gourmet minced turkey to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Gourmet daily nutrition, carefully made. Tasty chunks with chicken & beef in a decadent gravy. Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur.
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Delicious poached salmon paired with tender spinach in a mouthwatering sauce
Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur
Are cats good with kids? Happily, the answer is yes! Use these tips to find the best cat for your family.
Get to know the problems often associated with aging cats, so you can help them get the most of out of their remaining years.
Learn from a Vet: Learn the signs of cat dementia and how vets distinguish this common, yet baffling condition from other geriatric feline diseases.
Learn tips for identifying and minimizing overly aggressive play cats, such as adopting positive play techniques with your feline friend.
Many human foods are dangerous to cats. Read about 5 of the worst toxic food offenders that can kill your cat - and how much it takes to hurt them.
Learn reasons why some cats are excessively clingy, how you can help curtail this behavior, and considerations when potentially adopting a Velcro kitty.
Cats & Ingrown Nails: What You Should Look For
Learn important information about cat leukemia, including how it spreads, common symptoms, testing & diagnosis info, treatments and prevention options.
Learn how meal planning, exercise and activity can help your overweight cat get to a healthy and happy weight.
They look super cute when doing it, but why do cats stick their tongue out? Read on to find out what it means!
Learn about the origins of the most common cat phrases and exactly what it means when you hear one.
Understand how adopting an adult cat from a shelter is different than adopting a cat, and what to expect when you bring her home for the first time.
Learn how to make your own DIY cat stain remover, as well as how to remove cat odors from your home.
Want to foster cats or kittens in your home? Learn the steps to take to become a cat foster parent, as well as helpful advice from a long-time foster mom.
Discover why water consumption is so important to your cat's overall health, and how you can encourage your cat to drink more water.
Learn why brushing your cat's teeth regularly is important. Good oral hygiene and care involves right supplies, method and cat food formulated for oral health.
Learn how your cat's ear language and movements can show you their underlying emotions, including what a variety of different positions mean.
Senior cats over age 7 have different nutritional needs than younger cats. Learn what to look for when choosing a food for older and aging felines.
Learn about 5 of the most common skin problems that can manifest in cats, as well as how to detect if your cat might have one of them.
Learn why cats exhibit behavior problems, such as scratching and spraying, and training steps you can take to help correct her bad habits.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
©2024 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool