What To Do If You Find A Stray Cat

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Finding a stray cat can be a scary and nerve-wracking experience. As empathetic creatures, we care about cats and don’t want to see them suffer. A stray cat could be in need of water, food, shelter, and a new home. In other cases, the stray cat could live nearby and is just out for a stroll. 

If you stumbled upon a stray cat, read on to find out how to tell if the cat is stray and what you should do to help keep the cat healthy and safe.

What Should You Do with a Stray Cat?

Depending on how long they’ve been living without a home, stray cats may not be in the best health. Here are the first things you should do if you encounter a stray cat:

  • Be careful. Unless the cat comes right up to you, be cautious approaching the cat. You don’t want to scare the poor creature!
  • Bring it food and water. Instead of bringing a stray cat into your home and locking it in, bring it food and water first. Not only will this help the stray cat stay healthy, but it will help the cat begin to trust you.
  • Consider a safe place for the cat. This doesn’t need to be inside your home. If you have a catio, then that’s the perfect place to put a stray cat for now. 

Once you’ve made sure the cat is safe and healthy, you can start the search for its owner or a new home. The new home could be with you, or it could be with someone else.

How to tell if a stray cat has an owner

Aside from the obvious — either you recognize the cat or it’s wearing a collar with ID — the best way to find a cat’s owner is to check its microchip. Many pets have microchips specifically for these instances. A vet or animal clinic should be able to help you scan the chip to find the cat’s owner.

If the cat has no tag, ID, or microchip, and you haven’t seen any missing poster signs up in the neighborhood, it could be a sign that the cat doesn’t have a home. In this case, bringing the stray cat home may be your best short term option.

Is it OK to Bring a Stray Cat Home?

Whether you should bring a stray cat home depends. Does the cat seem healthy, upbeat, and overall safe? Then you should probably leave it where it is. There’s a good chance that the cat escaped from its home, or that it’s an outdoor cat.

If the stray cat seems unwell, hungry, and uncared for, then bringing it home could be a good option. However, keep in mind that a stray cat may not immediately mix with your current ecosystem. Other pets, including cats and dogs, may not respond to the stray cat well. If you don’t have a pet, then you would need all the equipment necessary to care for the cat. For reference, check our new kitten checklist.

Finally, there may be laws about taking in stray cats or other animals where you live. Make sure you aren’t breaking any laws by bringing a stray cat home.

Who Do You Call to Pick Up Stray Cats?

If you find a stray cat and don’t know what to do, consider calling local animal control. They’re professionals and will treat the cat with care and respect. They also are trained to work with animals that may be displaced and scared, so they’re well-suited for the task. 

To find local animal control, check your local government’s website or call your city’s or county’s services.

Thomas Short
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