Crouch down to its level. This may be less intimidating for the cat. Also pay attention to whether or not the cat approaches houses or cars on its own. Stray cats are more likely to do this. [1] X Research source
Pay attention to how the cat walks. If it walks with its tail in the air, which is a friendly sign, it is probably a stray who has been a housecat at one time or another. However, if it often crawls or stays crouched to the ground, and keeps its tail low as a form of protection, it is probably a feral cat that has never had a home. Also, a stray cat will probably make eye contact with you while a feral cat will not. [4] X Research source
Just because a cat is not wearing a collar, does not mean it is a stray. It’s possible the cat lost its collar or was never given one.
These factors can be tough to analyze, however. For example, maybe the cat appears to be well-nourished—you cannot see its ribs and it appears to be at a healthy weight—but it also seems very hungry. It’s possible this is a stray cat that has not been lost very long, but is hungry because it is not used to hunting its own food in the wild. On the other hand, perhaps you found a cat that seems skinny, but does not act hungry. It’s possible this cat is feral and has always lived outdoors. It does not act hungry because it knows how to find its own food, but it is not as well-nourished as a pet cat would be. Do your best to make a judgment that takes both its appearance and behavior into consideration.
It may help to take a picture of the cat along with you. Posting a photo of the cat and a location where it was found on social media can also help you find the owner. This method will allow you to reach a bigger audience in much less time than going door-to-door. In addition, you can create a “found” poster with the cat’s picture and contact number to call if anyone recognizes the cat.
Don’t leave the paper collar on for an extended period of time because it could be irritating to the cat. If you haven’t received any calls within a few days of placing it on the cat, remove it if the cat will allow you. [12] X Research source
It is also a good idea to leave a description of the cat, where it was found, and your contact information with each shelter so they can get in touch with you if someone calls looking for a cat that matches your description.
