What to do if you find a stray cat

A stray domestic cat can be friendly, or nervous and timid. If a cat you haven’t seen before turns up in your garden it doesn’t always mean they’re a stray: they could be new to the neighbourhood, or their owners could be on holiday.

If the cat isn’t there all the time, it may be going back home. Most cats like to roam and some will wander over large areas, especially if they’re un-neutered Tom cats looking for a mate.

 

What should you do if you think you’ve found a stray cat:

• Take the cat to your nearest vet to check for a microchip, free of charge. This is the quickest way to find an owner.
• Ask around your neighbourhood to see if you can find the owner. Not all owned cats wear collars because they’re microchipped.
• Don’t feed a stray cat just in case they have an owner, they may return back home on their own. Even if they look skinny and frail, this may be due to an underlying illness that the owner is aware of.
• Report the cat to your local animal welfare charities, and list on an animal reunite website to give them the best chance of being reunited with their owner.
• Place “found” posters around your local area, adding a full description and photo where possible.
• If the cat is sick, injured or you suspect cruelty, immediately contact the RSPCA
• Stray cats can often have worms or fleas, contact us or a local vets if you feel this is an issue
• If you have no luck finding an owner, report the cat you have found to Animal Search
• Download and print this paper collar to make contact with their owner, if they have one.

 

Feral cats

How can you tell the difference between a stray and feral cat?

Stray cats tend to look ungroomed and skinny, but they may still be drawn to human company and environments. Whereas feral cats are usually expert hunters and are used to looking after themselves, so they often appear well-fed and groomed. They typically avoid humans because of their lack of socialisation, and will probably run away from you.

If you think a cat is feral, please complete our ‘Giving up your cat’ form, and choose one of the ‘stray’ options as the reason to give up the pet. We have partnerships with organisations that can trap, neuter and then release the cats back into the area where they were caught. This will stop the colony from growing.

If you find mums and kittens

• Ask around the neighbourhood to make sure the mum and kittens aren’t owned.
• If you can’t find an owner, make sure they’re all healthy and well. If you’re unsure, ask us or your local vet for more information.
• Make sure mum isn’t feral before doing anything with the kittens. If it’s necessary to move the kittens, it’s important mum is happy for you to do so.
• Make sure the kittens are more than a week old before moving them.
• Make sure they’re in a safe environment in which they can’t get hurt. If they can be moved to an outside garage or shed, this would be ideal as this can be a good way to keep them sheltered and safe.
• Don’t feed the mum or kittens cows’ milk, as cats are lactose intolerant. Kittens should be feeding off mum; mum will need kitten meat, biscuits and water.
• If the kittens are too young to eat meat but aren’t feeding from mum, contact your local vet for kitten milk supplements and advice on how to feed them.
• If you are concerned and would like more information please contact Woodgreen on 0300 303 9333

If you have read and checked the above information thoroughly, you can apply to rehome the cat with us

 

If you find a deceased cat

This can be distressing, but it’s important that owners find out what has happened to their cat. Here’s what to do:

• If you are willing and able to safely pick up the cat, you can take it to a local vet who will check for a microchip and help identify the owner.
• Contact your local council to report the cat.
• Contact National Highways to report the cat to be collected.