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Cats who have had to scavenge to eat are especially susceptible. “Intact” means this kitten was not neutered — he still has his testicles. If he had a family, they didn’t neuter him before other cats started picking on him.

A recent veterinary industry megastudy concluded that while cats significantly outnumber dogs in the United States, cats are much less likely to see their veterinarians on a regular basis. In fact, plenty of cats never see a vet unless they’re on death’s doorstep. Feline leukemia is common with cats who have had to live on the streets for any length of time. With stray cats, they often contract the disease from bite wounds or mutual grooming. However, usually the treatment involves a round of oral medications. With both roundworm and hookworm, cats are in danger of developing life-threatening anemia if the condition is left untreated too long.

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You can also find financial resources at alleycat.org/Economy. This nifty trick works great when you need to medicate your cat, too. Plenty of YouTube videos can show you how to burrito a cat with perfect aplomb. Cats infected with ear mites will excessively scratch the affected area. You may see a substance that looks like coffee grounds or a thick, red-brown crust on the outer ear.

Search for members near you at alleycat.org/FindFeralFriends. A great rescue group brought in a young cat for veterinary care the other day. Found in a tree with a wound of unknown origin, he seemed healthy, people oriented and sweet. You should take a stray cat to a veterinarian anytime that you are concerned about one and you can safely get them in a carrier for transport. Never chase a stray cat or try to corner or “capture” one, as this can cause unnecessary stress that can lead to even more health problems or even death. If you can’t afford to take a stray cat to the vet if they look sick or hurt, you should take the animal to a local humane society or no-kill shelter where they can get the help that they need.

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Stray Haven Rescue is a 501 non-profit animal rescue organization that was founded in St. Louis, Missouri. Stray Haven is dedicated to promoting the health, well-being, and welfare of all cats, domestic, stray, abandoned, and feral. We find loving homes for these animals once they’ve received veterinary care and are deemed healthy and fit for adoption. If you’ve given it a week or two and have had no luck finding an owner, you might want to keep the cat for yourself ! There are articles on how to introduce a new cat to your existing dog or cat here. If you find a lost or stray cat, the first thing to do is to take the cat to a vet or any Petsmart with a Banfield inside to have it scanned for a microchip .

“When a cat starts coming around your house and looking for attention, begging for food or trying to sneak in your front door, there’s a good chance you’ve been adopted,” explains Megan Phillips, BS, ADBC. Keep a regular feeding schedule to show the cat that you’re reliable. This demonstrates to your cat that you are a trustworthy source of food and will help it to bond with you.

Taking Your Stray Cat to the Vet

At least once a day, our office fields a call from a cat owner who has to cancel at the last minute because kitty isn’t amenable to carrier confinement. Parasites can also infect the cat’s gastrointestinal system. Common parasites for cats include roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm. All three mostly come from eating infected food, such as rodents or rotten meat, or ticks. Hookworms can also penetrate the skin and infect the cat that way.

“If you have other cats or dogs make sure your new cat is good with other animals,” she says. “Most shelters will test new cats out with other animals to see if they get along.” Before you take an injured animal to a private veterinary hospital for treatment, be willing to assume financial responsibility for the animal. Good care is not cheap, and many veterinarians have many Samaritans in their waiting rooms every year. Anyone who is committed to trying to save injured stray animals should discuss these issues in advance with the veterinarian.

Be sure to ask the vet to scan for a microchip, since the kitty may belong to someone else. They also have a plethora of resources you can utilize on their website. Other Facebook pages where you might post the found cat include Saving Animals in Greater St. Louis and Surrounding Areas and Saving St. Louis Pets.