If the cat tries to hide, doesn’t look at you, and doesn’t meow, it might be a feral cat, that was never a pet. Keep an eye out for lost cat notices on store windows and telephone poles in your neighborhood, and in local newspapers and websites. Be extra vigilant in winter. Strays are desperate for shelter and food at this time, and pets are unlikely to spend much time outside. Fresh tracks after a snowfall are an easy way to track strays if you get up before heavy traffic begins.
Try different tones or pitches, as some cats respond better to a higher or lower voice, or even ‘meow’ sounds. Don’t get too close if the cat seems tense or nervous. If the cat feels cornered, it may bite or scratch.
Some tags have the contact info for a veterinary clinic instead. The vet may not be legally allowed to give you the owner’s contact info, but they can pass on a message.
In sub-zero temperatures, oil from a tin of sardines poured over kibble works well. Do not leave food out until you suspect you have a stray, since this may just attract wildlife or feed other people’s pets (who may be on controlled diets).
Shelters generally offer a better chance at a good life for strays than they find on the streets. In a shelter, the cat will not die of starvation, injuries, or exposure.
Do not set the trip plate on a hair trigger. If the cat triggers it prematurely and escapes, it may never come back. It’s better to risk the plate not going off, since you can put out more bait and try again. Too much food will create a mess if the cat panics and scatters it or vomits. In exceptionally cold weather, cover the trap with a sheet or towel, then heap snow over this covering to help keep the cat warm and calmer once it has been trapped.
Disable the trap. Every day at the same time (preferably dusk), put out food near the trap. Gradually move the feeding spot closer to the trap, and eventually inside it. If the cat won’t go inside, try covering the trap with a towel sprayed with cat pheromone spray. Once the cat is eating consistently inside the trap, set it to trigger.
If you do not plan to look after the cat at home, arrange in advance for a shelter or animal control agency to pick up the cat. Keep the cat in the trap in a quiet, dark area while it waits. Minimize the amount of time the cat has to wait, as this is extremely stressful for the animal. A stray pet tends to have a dirty coat, and a tendency to meow and make eye contact. It may eventually relax, come up to the front of the cage, or investigate toys or people that come near the cage. [3] X Research source Continue on for advice on finding the owner or adopting it yourself. A feral (untamed) cat typically stays in the far back of the cage, may shake or bang the walls, and ignores toys and people. [4] X Research source Learn more about how to handle the animal, along with other ways to confirm that it really is feral.
A comfortable seat for you to sit in quietly while the cat becomes used to you. A comfortable hiding place where the cat has a good view of the room. A cat carrier on a high shelf works well. Water Litter You can include a scratching post, toys, and a (closed) window, but the cat may be too stressed to use them.
Keep the door closed. Cats can move very quick and may jump over you to reach the exit.
Cats can transmit diseases to humans as well. If the cat bites you, wash the wound with soap and water and ask your doctor immediately about the risk of rabies, which is fatal without a prompt vaccine. If the cat scratches you, wash with soap and water and visit the doctor if the area becomes red or swollen, or if you get swollen lymph nodes, a headache, fever, or exhaustion. [6] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Aggression is not likely, but leave immediately if you notice these warning signs: flat ears; visible eye whites or extra-wide pupils; a crouched, tensed appearance; or slow movement toward you with the head down. Hissing and low growling with no other warning signs means the cat is afraid. [7] X Research source Don’t approach, but don’t be scared of an attack either.
Tell your neighbors. Have a vet scan for a microchip ID. Call local shelters and ask if anyone has called in a lost cat matching this one’s description. Put up flyers with the word FOUND in large font over a photo of the cat’s face. Check the Lost section of local newspapers. You may be able to place a Found ad for free. Avoid sharing identifying details beyond the cat’s color or pictures of the face.
If the cat has not been vaccinated or neutered/spayed (and escaped at an age when it should have been), consider notifying a shelter about the situation. The shelter may be willing to accept the cat and require the owners to have these medical procedures done before returning the animal.
A predictable routine will allow the cat to anticipate your visits, making your entry much less frightening and helping associate you with food. Sit in your chair and read quietly for a few minutes, at least a few times a day. Try to be as non-threatening as possible: move slowly, stay as ‘small’ as you can by hunching over, do not make eye contact, close your eyes and pretend to sleep, and speak quietly or not at all. [9] X Expert Source Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KAFeline Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 1 March 2022.
Pay attention to the cat’s body language. Most strays will allow you to touch them once they’ve calmed down, and virtually all will give a warning signal if they are uncomfortable. (You may be able to ignore a brief hiss as long as it doesn’t continue or escalate into a growl. ) There is a significant risk of injury if the cat is actually feral. If the cat has no collar and it has not meowed or approached you, check for signs of a feral.
Have a veterinarian perform a physical check up, test for feline leukemia, FIV, feline distemper, rabies, and worms, and vaccinate or treat as needed. Do not allow the cat to contact other pets in your house until this is done, not even by touching the same clothing. [10] X Research source If the cat is not fixed, have it spayed or neutered to improve its health and behavior. [11] X Expert Source Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KAFeline Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 1 March 2022. Look for low-cost spay/neuter clinics if the cost is a burden. Gradually introduce the cat to the rest of the house and its members, one room or animal at a time.
Feral cats found alone are often unneutered males (tomcats). These have a more muscular, stockier build and fuller cheeks than neutered pets. [12] X Research source Some tomcats have a spiky coat and a greasy or hairless area at the base of the tail (“stud tail”). [13] X Research source One clipped ear tip is the international sign of a spayed or neutered feral. Female ferals often live in small colonies around dumpsters or other food sources. When found alone, they can be difficult to tell apart from strays. A pregnant or lactating cat (with enlarged nipples and breasts) is usually feral. [14] X Research source [15] X Research source
If you decide to become more involved in a TNR program, invest in a transfer cage. This is a trap and cage with doorways that hook together, so the cat can walk into the larger space without escaping. You can also learn to tell whether the cat is fixed directly: follow these guides for female and male cats. Since this often requires handling the cat, it is not recommended until you have experience under trained supervision.
Feed kittens shortly after they wake up, and adult cats eight hours after they wake up. To do this, open a small gap in the trap door and slide in a little food and water on a plastic lid, without putting your hand inside. If you cannot do this safely, don’t do it; the cat will manage. The cat might not eat right away. [18] X Research source Call the clinic’s emergency number (or the number they asked you to call) if the cat is bleeding, has trouble breathing, vomits, or does not wake up. If the cat vomits while asleep, gently tip the trap at a slight angle so the vomit runs away from the cat’s throat. [19] X Research source
Disinfect and rinse the trap thoroughly before using it for another animal. If you do not want the cat living in your neighborhood, take it to a shelter. Cats rarely do well when released in a new location, but shelter staff should know how to increase the chance of success. [21] X Research source
