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Expert Cat Care Advice
What to do if you've found a cat or a local stray cat's found you!
Dr Jo Lewis MRCVS | 13 Sep 2021 | 5 min read
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Cats Protection recommends these useful tips if you encounter a stray cat... |
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Approach the cat cautiously and carefully. They may be frightened or even sick and injured, so naturally more defensive, meaning they may lash out at you. Remember that your own safety and that of the cat are of great importance. If you do have concerns about their health and cannot approach them, then call the RSPCA on the emergency number 0300 1234 999.
If the cat is friendly, speak calmly and reassuringly, perhaps entice it toward you with a bit of food to see if the cat is hungry/thirsty. Please feed cat food and offer a bowl of fresh water (not cows milk, as many cats and kittens are lactose intolerant).
Once you’ve got them, it is time to check whether they already have an owner.
Download a printable copy of a paper collar courtesy of the RSPCA here or request one from the Cats Protection Helpline (below). They may also be able to send you some found/missing cat posters.
On the paper collar put a note saying ‘Please call this number if this is your cat… (enter your contact number)’.
If the cat seems friendly, fitting a paper collar shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
If the cat is nervous, please do not risk being bitten or scratched.
If someone calls, it will hopefully end the mystery for you and also make the owner aware of how far their cat has wandered. If no-one calls in 24 hours you can be fairly sure it is most likely lost or stray.
Take a picture of the cat and put it on the poster with details of where and when the cat was found and put up in local places such as:
Share details of the poster on local social media group pages.
If you are unable to take the cat home with you, you may want to provide it with a temporary shelter. You could use a sturdy cardboard box and put a blanket or some straw inside. A piece of waterproof sheeting secured over the top will help keep the rain out. Make sure it’s properly and safely weighted down to stop it being blown away by the wind. Ideal bedding to put inside is a thick layer of straw but an old jumper or towel can be used to make a bed too, but this should be changed regularly as these retain moisture and can encourage mold or mildew.
Ask around the local neighbourhood to see if anyone recognises the cat while keeping an eye out for any ‘missing cat’ posters.
Have a word with the postman and milkman to see if they know of any missing pets on their rounds.
It is also worth checking any local newspapers to see if anyone has placed a ‘lost ad’ that could describe the cat. You may wish to take out an ad of your own in the ‘found’ section. If appropriate offer a reward for their safe return. They may even offer to run a story about your cat.
It is also worth contacting the following organisations with information about the found cat:
* Please follow this link to my Lost Cat advice page for links to your local vets, Cats Protection branch and other charity contacts.
We all hope for a happy ending when it comes to missing or lost cats. Cats Protection helps reunite over 3000 cats with their humans each year, and microchips more than 43,000 cats a year, increasing the chances of reuniting cats that become lost in the future.
Unfortunately, there are many cases where the cat has been abandoned intentionally. If no one comes forward, please phone your local Cats Protection branch or adoption centre where volunteers and staff will do their best to try and find a loving home for the cat.
To contact The Cats Protection Helpline, please phone 03000 12 12 12 or email [email protected]
If you would like to support the Cats Protection in their tireless work helping cats in need, then please follow this link to make a donation.
If the cat is friendly, speak calmly and reassuringly, perhaps entice it toward you with a bit of food to see if the cat is hungry/thirsty. Please feed cat food and offer a bowl of fresh water (not cows milk, as many cats and kittens are lactose intolerant).
Once you’ve got them, it is time to check whether they already have an owner.
- If possible, take the cat to your nearest veterinary surgery. They should be able to scan for a microchip for free and will try to make contact with the registered owners.
- If there is no microchip, you can give Cats Protection's National Helpline a call on 03000 12 12 12 for details of your local Cats Protection branch which will keep a lost and found register.
Download a printable copy of a paper collar courtesy of the RSPCA here or request one from the Cats Protection Helpline (below). They may also be able to send you some found/missing cat posters.
On the paper collar put a note saying ‘Please call this number if this is your cat… (enter your contact number)’.
If the cat seems friendly, fitting a paper collar shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
If the cat is nervous, please do not risk being bitten or scratched.
If someone calls, it will hopefully end the mystery for you and also make the owner aware of how far their cat has wandered. If no-one calls in 24 hours you can be fairly sure it is most likely lost or stray.
Take a picture of the cat and put it on the poster with details of where and when the cat was found and put up in local places such as:
- vets*
- schools
- shops
- leisure centres/recreation areas
- train/bus stops
Share details of the poster on local social media group pages.
If you are unable to take the cat home with you, you may want to provide it with a temporary shelter. You could use a sturdy cardboard box and put a blanket or some straw inside. A piece of waterproof sheeting secured over the top will help keep the rain out. Make sure it’s properly and safely weighted down to stop it being blown away by the wind. Ideal bedding to put inside is a thick layer of straw but an old jumper or towel can be used to make a bed too, but this should be changed regularly as these retain moisture and can encourage mold or mildew.
Ask around the local neighbourhood to see if anyone recognises the cat while keeping an eye out for any ‘missing cat’ posters.
Have a word with the postman and milkman to see if they know of any missing pets on their rounds.
It is also worth checking any local newspapers to see if anyone has placed a ‘lost ad’ that could describe the cat. You may wish to take out an ad of your own in the ‘found’ section. If appropriate offer a reward for their safe return. They may even offer to run a story about your cat.
It is also worth contacting the following organisations with information about the found cat:
- Your local Cats Protection branch*
- RSPCA* 0300 1234 555
- Animal Search UK
- UK Pet Register
- Local radio stations
- Schools
* Please follow this link to my Lost Cat advice page for links to your local vets, Cats Protection branch and other charity contacts.
We all hope for a happy ending when it comes to missing or lost cats. Cats Protection helps reunite over 3000 cats with their humans each year, and microchips more than 43,000 cats a year, increasing the chances of reuniting cats that become lost in the future.
Unfortunately, there are many cases where the cat has been abandoned intentionally. If no one comes forward, please phone your local Cats Protection branch or adoption centre where volunteers and staff will do their best to try and find a loving home for the cat.
To contact The Cats Protection Helpline, please phone 03000 12 12 12 or email [email protected]
If you would like to support the Cats Protection in their tireless work helping cats in need, then please follow this link to make a donation.
