Stray Cat Help
This page is here to offer you help and advice with stray cats.
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If you have found a stray cat, there is a number of things you should do straight away.
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First thing you should always do is make sure you do not feed any cat you believe to be a stray - especially if it appears fit and healthy. A cat will always returns to a regular food source.
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If the cat is insistent on coming into your home or is still hovering around the area for more than a day, check with your neighbours to see if any of them have a new feline member of the household, it may be that their new cat is checking out the neighbours and will go home at night!
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If the cat is only occasionally visiting and you are concerned or curious, pop a paper collar on them, if they are returning home, they will hopefully be in touch to let you know it's safe.
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If no one recognises the cat and you or a friend/neighbour is able to, take to the vets for a chip check. Most vets will do this quickly and for free - if the cat has a chip, they will contact the owner to inform them of their cat's whereabouts. If there is no chip present, it's likely you will have to return the cat to the area, but you can then look into finding a rescue to take it in and find it a new home.
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If you have access to Social Media or are in a position to put up posters, it's worth posting about the cat and basic details, in case it has wandered a little too far from home and is struggling to find it's way back.
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If none of the options come back with a result, contact local rescues and get the cat on as many waiting lists as you can - most rescues are bursting at the seams so the quicker you're on a list, the better your chances are!
Feral or Stray?
Feral Cats are not the same as Stray Cats and are mostly easy to distinguish. It is very important you - and anyone you ask to help you - know the difference.
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Feral cats are fearful of humans, they have usually grown up with a feral family and have had little to no human interaction. They will hide away from humans and if engaged, will most likely hiss and growl in fear of what you will do.
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Stray cats are often more tame, used to humans and have been handled from a young age, they are more likely to approach you when encouraged and more comfortable eating and sleeping knowing you are around. They are also more likely to remain in an area around you - feral cats will soon move on if they are getting nothing from you!
Stray Kittens
If you have found kittens, there are a few things to keep in mind first;
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Always check to see if mum is nearby, she sometimes will dip out of the area to hunt for food for herself and return to her babies later. ​
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If no sign, leave the litter/kitten alone undisturbed for an hour or so to see if mum returns whilst you're not there - she may be afraid of what you're doing there and be waiting for you to leave before returning to them.
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Until you are positive mum is not around, do not be tempted to handle the kittens. If your scent is all over them, mum is even more unlikely to return and will abandon them.
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Kittens around 8/9 weeks old are more than likely not to have a mum still caring for them and have most likely either been abandoned or left behind by mum.
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See below on tips of aging kittens, an illustration by kittenlady.org.
