SHOULD I FEED A STRAY CAT?
It is better to wrongly feed an owned cat, than allow a cat genuinely in need to suffer.
If the cat eats it like it hasn’t eaten for days, its probably lost or stray.
Friendly or Feral ?
Found cats can be anything from super friendly to not at all friendly, abandoned house cats through to completely feral.
Feeding Routine?
Its best to feed it through a routine for a few days, which will make it easier to trap it and ensure that the cat didn’t just go for an explore and then simply return to its owner.
Friendly Strays
Temporary Care & Feeding : If a cat has turned up at your home and is friendly and you are able to temporarily care for it whilst seeking its owner then you should.
Ask : Enquire with neighbours if anyone knows who owns the cat.
Posters! Put up ‘Found cat’ posters – keep the cat’s description general so that any potential owner has to give more specific details and distinguishing features and/or provide a photo.
Post on social media : keep the cat’s description general so that any potential owner has to give more specific details and distinguishing features and/or provide a photo.
Collar: If the cat is friendly enough you can add a collar with a message on it : “Is this your cat? Please phone…” Put this on the cat for a few days, and if nobody calls you can assume the cat isn’t going to and from its home.
You can make a paper collar with normal paper and some sticky tape that you write on – that will tear if it gets caught on anything, or a proper cat collar from a pet shop to which you can add a tag with a message on.
Register: You should report the cat as found to us and any other local local cat rescue organisations and vets in case anyone has reported a cat of that description as missing.
Check for Microchip : Many cats are microchipped, especially if they have their ear notched. We can check if it has a microchip free of charge if you visit CLAWS, your local vet should be able to do it free of charge as well.
Providing a home
If, having taken reasonable steps to locate the cat’s owner, you decide to give the cat a new home, please arrange a health check for the cat with your local vet and check that the cat is neutered.
If you live close to C.L.A.W.S and decide to give a home to a stray we can assist with the initial veterinary care at a minimal cost / donation at our premises in Bahar Ic Cahar. In that instance we will ask you to complete an adoption form for our records when you bring in your cat for the first time.
Initial veterinary care includes flea and worm treatment, a general health check and vaccinations for the cat to get you both off to a good start. After this time you will have to take over provision of veterinary care yourself. Neutering can be done via C.L.A.W.S ar low rates ( in which case the cats ear will be tipped). We also recommend that you have the animal microchipped.
