Adopt a Pet | Find Your New Best Friend

Older cats who aren’t used to being around humans can be a lot trickier—you’ll need to be very patient and give them lots of time to learn to trust you. Be prepared for the possibility that your new friend may never be fully socialized. When you find a feral or community cat in good condition, chances are someone is feeding this cat. If it is ear tipped, then it has been sterilized and the best thing to do is just not intervene. Feral cats are very stressed by coming in to a shelter, so the best thing to do if the cat is not ear tipped is to bring it to one of the Sunday TNR (Trap, Neuter & Return) clinics at the Sacramento SPCA for surgery. To make a surgery appointment or discuss other feral cat solutions, contact Removing the cat does not tend to solve the problem long term.

Also, if you live in a cold climate, a heated water dish might be a good investment. Here’s what you need to know about why cats purr and what your cat may be telling you when her motor is running. From classic to celeb-inspired and funny to food-based, this list of cute cat names is sure to inspire your naming adventures. The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. If the cat is scared to go outside, walk beside it to help reassure it. Your cat will be calmer and less erratic with a regular feeding schedule. Over time, slowly increase the amount of eye contact that you give your cat. Sign up and make sure you are always on top of the most important info for you and your pets.

Step 4. Get the Cat Vet Care

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. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that whether you notice obvious wounds or illnesses or not, any stray cat you see probably needs veterinary care. Without it, a stray cat that is hurt or ill may not last long on the streets. Unfortunately, veterinary care for stray cats is not free.

Always wash your hands after touching the cat, and get medical help immediately if you get scratched or bitten. If you plan to adopt a stray, take the cat to the vet right away for an exam and tests to make sure it doesn’t have any serious health problems. If you have multiple pets in your home, the stray cat may feel overwhelmed.

There are some cats like that when they’ve gotten used to staying in one place. Stray cats take time to adjust to those who are trying to help them. They aren’t used to people, and any defensive behavior stems from fear.

“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. Choose a safe room in your home to keep the cat in (even a large, walk-in closet or bathroom that isn’t being used will work). The more people who visit the area, the more stressed out, frightened, and threatened the cat will feel. “After reading this article, I know I definitely have a stray and not a feral, plus other good advice.” If the cat won’t go into its carrier, place a bowl of food into the cage to tempt the cat inside. If the cat won’t eat the food, try placing the bowl further away from the house.

Prayers and Positive Words for When Pets Go Through a Hard Time

My advice is, take Mother cat and her babies to someone who will foster and then adopt them…. Let Chester do his thing….then only get animals once you Father has no say and won’t hurt them… This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional.

Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. If the cat is already sick or injured, read How to Help Treat a Stray Cat’s Wound. As the cat realizes that you are not a threat, it will get more comfortable with you being closer—so try to take fewer steps back with each feeding. If time is not important , then continue to offer food every day to build trust before proceeding to step two. This is a wrenching scenario for all who care about animals.

The frantic owner could be looking everywhere for their beloved pet. Before bringing the animal home, make sure you can keep your resident animals separate; the found animal could be sick, fearful or aggressive with other animals. Once you have them safely at your home, take pictures and create a “found pet” flier to post around the area in which the animal was found. You can also post notices at veterinary hospitals and on websites such as petfinder.com. The veterinary clinics listed below may treat feral cats. We recommend calling first and asking about their policies and procedures.

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If you suspect the kitty has been separated from his owner, or if she’s a stray that needs medical attention, it’s critical you find a safe way to catch her and get her the help she needs. But luring and catching a cat—especially one who’s afraid of humans or feral—can be tricky. We teamed up with the ASPCA to share some tips on what to do if you’ve discovered a cat who’s less than thrilled about getting in a crate or being picked up.

Remember that trapping is stressful for community cats and should only be done out of necessity, such as for spay and neuter or to treat more serious injuries or illnesses. Most veterinarians work with government-recognized nonprofit organizations, which enables them to offer low-cost options, although they do not have the resources to offer services to every feral cat that is brought in. Stray cats are often shy and won’t come inside near people.

Plenty of YouTube videos can show you how to burrito a cat with perfect aplomb. Learn about ways we provide Compassionate Access to Resources, Education and Services. Here we also had to make sure they were warm before they would come in our house. Remember to take up any extra food in the evening to prevent scavengers such as raccoons or possums to move in and eat the food . Read How to Set Up an Outdoor Cat House for Pets, Strays, and Ferals for tips. Once you have captured a stray, there are a few things you can do, depending on the cat and the situation at hand.

If you cannot locate the owner after several days or weeks of observation and the cat continues to appear healthy the cat should be allowed to remain in the area without human intervention. It is very possible the cat belongs to a neighbor and is an indoor/outdoor cat. If you find neonate kittens and the mom does not return it is really important to care for the kittens properly even if it is only to get them to a rescue group or shelter. Kittens under three weeks of age cannot control their body temperature and need a heat source at all times.

Prior to taking any action, contact your chosen veterinarian and describe the cat’s condition. For community cats with mild issues, it may be best to allow them to heal in their outdoor home rather than trapping them. There are organizations that can help you make sure the kitty either finds a good home or—in the case of feral cats—receives proper medical care.

While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Even if nothing seems wrong with the cat, they could have various problems. Therefore, it is important to take a stray cat to the vet no matter the condition they seem to be in. Hopefully, you’ll fall in love and keep the cat yourself or have success rehoming it to a loving family. Stray cats don’t know where their next meal will come from. They don’t have a dedicated safe place to sleep where they will be protected from the outdoor elements and possible predators.

Isolate the stray cat from other pets until it is tested and vaccinated by a vet. Stray cats are often not vaccinated, which means that they can pass on diseases to other pets in the house. Keep the stray cat in a comfortable contained space with plenty of food, water, and airflow. It is not recommended that you attempt to capture the cat yourself, but if it does appear to be visibly ill or distressed, contact your local animal control department.