Similarly to pet cats, stray cats were probably once taken care of by people and lived in a home, but today they are free to live anywhere they like and spend a lot of time outside.If you find a missing cat Each stray cat will have a unique tale to tell; they may have been abandoned, become lost, or left their house because they weren’t content.
Many cats are content living as stray cats, but without someone to assist keep them secure and nourished, they risk suffering injuries or serious health issues.
Here’s what to do if you come across a lost, stray, or feral cat.
If you’ve found a healthy stray, feral or lost cat
You ought to start by looking for the owner. Cats have a tendency to travel widely, and even when they are owned, they may occasionally be mistaken for stray animals. If anyone is aware of the owner of the cat, ask them. You can ask a veterinarian to check the cat for a microchip if it can be transported. Additionally,If you find a missing cat you can design “discovered” posters and promote them via social media and other online directories like Animal Search UK.
Please consider temporarily taking on responsibility for the cat’s vaccination and neutering if you can’t locate the owner; by doing so, you could perhaps save a young life. You can speak with your local RSPCA branch if you want to assist but are concerned about your financial situation.
If the cat is pregnant
There usually isn’t much to be concerned about unless she seems ill or hurt. Or, she might be a healthy stray with a nearby house and owner. It’s understandable that you could be concerned about the cat and want our assistance, but it’s extremely improbable that we could pick up a pregnant cat in good health.
What to do if you find a stray, feral, or lost cat is outlined below.
If you’ve found a sick or injured stray or feral cat
If you come across an injured stray or feral cat, please keep them in a safe place and, if you can, take them to the nearest veterinarian.
If you take a stray cat to the vet who only needs basic care, you might be asked to take the cat away and, if necessary, put a paper collar on it.
If the cat is pregnant
Calling your neighborhood vet is the quickest approach to aid the mother cat if she appears sick, hurt, or in need of urgent medical attention. Please don’t put yourself in danger if you locate the cat in a dangerous area, such as near to moving traffic. Instead, notify the emergency services.
If the cat is in labour
If you’ve found a pregnant cat who you think is in labour:
- Give her space – avoid disturbing her.
- Try to locate her owner – post on local social media groups or speak to neighbours to see if anybody knows her. If you can’t find the owner, please call a local animal rescue centre for advice on what to do when the kittens arrive.
- Placing a shallow bowl of water nearby – this should be done with minimal disturbance, keep a good distance.
- Place some shelter nearby – depending upon the weather, placing some shelter nearby could help keep her shaded from the sun and sheltered from cold winds and rain.
- Keep an eye on her to check she’s doing ok, but avoid disturbing her as it could cause unnecessary problems for the kittens.
Many cats give birth without needing any help at all, but signs she may be having difficulty include:
- If between 30 and 60 minutes of intense straining she doesn’t produce a kitten or a kitten seems to be stuck.
- The mother seems to be noticeably distressed.
- If she seems lethargic, has passed an unpleasant discharge or is bleeding heavily from her vulva (green, brown or red discharge while the kittens are being born is normal).
Please contact a nearby veterinarian, an animal rescue facility, or call our help line if you notice any of these symptoms or if mom is in danger because she is close to a busy road or building. Never put your safety in jeopardy.
If you’ve found a stray cat with kittens
It would be better to wait a few days to intervene if a stray cat has recently given birth to kittens. The mother might reject or even kill the kittens if someone tries to transfer them. Once she realizes you are aware of their location after a few days, she will transfer them nevertheless.
It is better to let the mother and kittens alone if they look to be in good health and are in a secure location. Only transfer them if they are in danger. To try to locate the cat’s owner, you can use the instructions we provided above. Call your neighborhood animal shelter for assistance if you can’t find them and believe that the mother is a stray. They might discuss providing food, drink, and outside assistance with you
shelter can assist shield the mother and kittens from bad weather
Shelter can help protect mom and kittens from bad weather
The best and quickest way to help is to contact a nearby vet for advice if the mother and/or kittens seem sick or injured.
If you’ve found abandoned, orphaned or lone kittens
Please maintain a safe distance if you come across kittens wandering around on their own to prevent bothering them and maybe scaring the mother away. When mom goes off to collect food, it’s not uncommon for her to leave her kittens behind. It’s crucial to allow kittens enough time to see if their mother returns before presuming they are orphaned since they have a far better chance of surviving if they remain with their mother.
Please contact a nearby veterinarian, an animal rescue organization, or our advice line as soon as you can if the kittens seem to be in danger because they are damp, cold, or ill. If the kittens are very young, with closed eyes and limited mobility, you should watch them for about two hours before calling a veterinarian or your neighborhood rescue organization.
For older kittens who can move and have their eyes open, you should wait for around four hours before asking for help. Older kittens can typically go a little longer without nourishment. Unless a veterinarian, a nearby rescue organization, or our advice line advises otherwise, it is preferable to leave the kittens where they are.
How to identify an independent kitten
A self-sufficient kitten will:
They should be able to hear and have their eyes open.
be able to urinate and poo without their mother’s assistance.
Consume solid food
being able to play and run
The kitten is still reliant on their mother if they are unable to perform any of these tasks. Please get in touch with us if this is the case and the kitten is by itself.
Can I rehome a stray cat?
If you can’t identify an owner for a stray cat, you may decide to adopt it yourself. Kittens can be placed in new homes when they are eight weeks old. A nearby animal rescue organization might be able to aid if you’re unable to retain the cat.
What to Do If You’ve Found a Stray or Lost Cat
Stray and lost cats can and ought to be saved, unlike feral cats. This is what you ought to do.
If you find a missing cat
Get the cat to a secure location first. See whether the cat will approach you easily once you grab some cat-safe food. If it does, take it inside by gently picking it up. Put it somewhere where it won’t come into contact with other animals, like a bathroom or spare bedroom. Stray and lost cats should be kept apart from any other pets you have. Fill an empty aluminum baking pan with litter and add some food and fresh water. Try putting some food in a carrier and keeping a close eye on the cat if you need to catch it.
Step 2: Look to see if any cats are missing in your neighborhood. Find out if a missing cat has been reported in your neighborhood by contacting your neighborhood animal care and control, rescue organizations, and checking for websites like Tabby Tracker and Lost My Kitty. If so, you might find it simple to get the cat back with its owner. If not, take the cat to a shelter or a vet’s office so it can be checked for a microchip. National databases hold the data associated with microchips, including the owners’ contact information.
Step 3: Post a “found cat” advertisement. Even if the aforementioned steps are unsuccessful, you can still be dealing with a lost cat. You can report a cat you’ve discovered on the same websites that let you check if it has been reported missing. Post a “found cat” advertisement on as many pertinent websites as you can, including neighborhood social media accounts. Bring the cat to animal care and control if you are unable to keep it in your house during this period. Check in frequently for updates and find out how long the cat can stay there before being removed. Pick up the cat again if it hasn’t been picked up in the allotted time.
If you find a missing cat
