Found a stray cat? Where to take or report It

Where can I take a stray cat?

Depending on the cat’s situation, these are the places that can help:

• Your local vet will scan the cat for a microchip free of charge. This is the quickest way to find an owner.
• The RSPCA if the cat is sick, injured or you suspect cruelty.
• Your local animal welfare charities, so the cat is on record as found if an owner gets in touch.
• Woodgreen or another rehoming centre if you can’t find an owner and can’t care for the cat long term. You can apply through our ‘Giving up your cat’ form.

 

How to tell if a cat is a stray

Not every cat that turns up in your garden is a stray. It could be an owned cat, a stray or a feral cat, and each needs a different response.

Owned cats

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.

Stray cats

A stray domestic cat can be friendly, or nervous and timid. Stray cats tend to look ungroomed and skinny, but they may still be drawn to human company and environments.

Feral cats

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.

 

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

Assess the cat

• If the cat is sick, injured or you suspect cruelty, immediately contact the RSPCA
• Check with neighbours to see if the cat belongs to anyone
• Work out whether the cat is owned, a stray or feral (see ‘How to tell if a cat is a stray’ above)

Check for a microchip

• Take the cat to your nearest vet to check for a microchip, free of charge. This is the quickest way to find an owner.
• 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.

Make use of social media and speaking to neighbours

• Ask around your neighbourhood to see if you can find the owner. Not all owned cats wear collars because they’re microchipped.
• Place “found” posters around your local area, adding a full description and photo where possible.
• 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.

Caring for them

• Stray cats can often have worms or fleas, contact us or a local vets if you feel this is an issue
• Provide a small shelter and a bowl of water, especially in extreme weather conditions.
• 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.

 

Should I feed a stray cat?

Unless you know they are a stray, don’t feed the 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.

Feeding a stray cat does mean they are more likely to return to your home and you are essentially taking part responsibility for them. Make sure to speak to your local vets or rehoming centres if you find yourself in this situation and aren’t able to care for them long term

 

Can I keep a stray cat?

Not straight away. A cat that looks like a stray may still have an owner who is looking for them, so give them every chance to get home first. Before you think about keeping a cat you’ve found:

• Have them scanned for a microchip at a local vet
• Report them to your local animal welfare charities and to Animal Search
• Put up “found” posters and ask your neighbours

If no owner comes forward after you’ve tried all of these, and you can give the cat a safe, permanent home, you may be able to keep them. If you do:

• Take them to a vet for a health check, including flea and worm treatment and vaccinations
• Have them neutered if they aren’t already
• Make sure they’re microchipped with your details. In England, it’s a legal requirement for pet cats to be microchipped by the time they’re 20 weeks old, with their details kept up to date on a database.

If you can’t keep the cat, you can apply to rehome them with us.

 

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.