How to Deal with a Wandering Cat

It’s hard to tell if a cat on the street is a stray, a stray, or just a cat walking around in its neighborhood. You can save the life of a stray pet with compassion and help it reunite with your family. Be safe, though, and never catch a cat with your bare hands: any cat can scratch or bite in a panic and can spread disease to people or other pets.

Table of Contents

Approach the cat or catch the cat

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Distinguish between feral and domestic cats. Both stray and feral cats can be shy or friendly, making them difficult to tell apart by their behavior. Roaming domestic cats often have messy and dirty coats, or look thin or injured. If you can touch the cat, check the soles of its paws. Cats that roam for weeks outside will have hard, calloused paws compared to the soft paws of a domestic pet.

If the cat tries to run away, doesn’t look at you, and doesn’t meow in response, it’s probably a feral cat and has never been kept as a pet.
Look for stray cat notices posted on shop windows and neighborhood power poles, in newspapers or on local websites.
In winter, you need to take a closer look. During this time, wild animals need shelter and food, and pets rarely go out. You can easily track the animal with fresh tracks in the snow if you get up early before everyone leaves the house.

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Try to approach the animal. If you think it’s a stray cat, approach slowly and speak in a gentle voice. If the cat seems shy, try bending over to him. Reach out a hand and call it sweetly. If that doesn’t work, come back next time with a mouthwatering dish like a piece of tuna or dried liver. ^{[1] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}

Try using a variety of timbres, as some cats respond in a high voice, others prefer a low voice, even a “meow” call.
Do not get too close if the cat seems stressed or anxious. Cats may bite or scratch if they feel cornered.

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Check out the cat collar tag. If the cat has a tag and allows you to get close enough to read the phone number or address on the tag, contact its owner to see if it is allowed outside.

Some tags only record contact information for the veterinarian or clinic. Your veterinarian may not be allowed to give you pet owner information, but they can deliver a message.

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Provide shelter, water, and catnip for the cat you think is lost. This will probably help you keep it around until you can help it. Place food outside late at night, in a tight space where cats can get in but larger animals can’t.

When it’s cold, a little oil from the sardines can be sprinkled on the pellets will be effective.
Do not place food outdoors until you suspect a stray pet, or it will only attract wildlife or other people’s pets (which may be eating a controlled diet). control).

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Think about contacting someone with expertise. If you can’t reach the cat, you can call the Animal Control Center or your local animal shelter to come get it. Find out their policy before calling, especially with cats that don’t wear tags. Many places terminate non-adopted cats. Some other places have more humane programs such as Trap – Castration – Release (TNR), so cats will be released back out without increasing the number of feral cats.

Animal shelters often provide stray animals with a better life off the road. The cat will not starve, be injured, or be left outdoors.

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Set traps yourself. If you prefer to catch cats yourself, buy a “humane” trap (cage trap) at a hardware store, or ask animal control if they can lend it to you. Cover the tinplate and bottom of the trap with newspaper to prevent the cat from stepping on the tin by instinct. Set bait with a little smelly food. Canned herring, mackerel, or bait fish in oil (not in vinegar) can be very effective.

Do not set the tin lever too sensitive. If the cat activates the latch early and escapes, it will never come back again. It’s better to avoid the risk so you can put the bait again and try the trap again.
Too much bait can get dirty if the cat panics and scatters the food or vomits.
When it’s cold, cover the trap with a towel or cloth, then cover it with snow to keep the cat warm and help it calm down when trapped.

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Check traps regularly but be careful. Check the trap as often as possible, but approach it slowly to avoid scaring the cat. If the trap doesn’t work for a day or two, try a slower approach:

Do not set traps.
Every day at the same time (preferably late afternoon), take out the food and place it near the trap.
Gradually move the food placement closer to the trap, finally placing it in the trap. If the cat doesn’t enter the trap, try covering the trap with a towel with cat pheromone spray.
When the cat regularly eats in the trap, set the trap.

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Decide what to do when the cat is trapped. Once you’ve trapped your cat, contact your local animal shelter to ask about their rules. In some parts of the US, you must bring a stray pet there to give the owner a chance to find it. ^{[2] X Research Source} Depending on the shelter’s response and the cat’s behavior, you make a decision:

If you don’t plan to have a cat, you should contact an animal shelter or animal control agency in advance so that they can come and take the cat away. Leave the cat in the trap in a quiet, dark place while you wait. Minimize the amount of time the cat has to wait, as this is very stressful for the animal.
Pets that roam often have dirty fur, meow and look people in the eye. It may eventually de-stress, going to the cage door, exploring toys or people who come near. ^{[3] X Research Source} Continue to search for a cat owner or decide to adopt a cat.
Feral (non-domesticated) cats are often deep inside the cage, may shake or bang on the walls of the cage, unconcerned with toys or people. ^{[4] X Research Source} Learn how to handle the animal and other methods to determine if it is truly a wild animal.

Taking care of a stray cat

Take extreme care when approaching cats. Even a friendly cat often panics when trapped. Wear thick gloves when approaching the cat, and prepare a towel or blanket to throw on the cat if it wants to attack you. If possible, avoid grabbing it; Even if you avoid the cat scratching or biting, the animal will hate the person who caught it.

If absolutely necessary, transfer the cat to another cage in the following way: 1. Place the cage upright, with the inlet facing up.2. Stand behind the cat and grab the cat’s nape with your dominant hand.3. Quickly press down on the cat’s back with your other hand until you can hold both of its hind legs.4. Extend your arms as far away from you as possible, pick up the cat and put the cat in the cage, putting the tail first.5. Quickly close the cage door above the cat. Press down on the door with one hand and clamp the cage between your legs until the latch is securely locked.

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Prepare a safe place for the cat. Ideally, the room should be closed to prevent cats from escaping, quiet, unused, easy to clean, and mostly empty. You can use the spare bathroom or the hallway corner. ^{[5] X Research Resources} Place the following items in the room:

Comfortable seat for you to sit quietly while the cat gets to know you.
A comfortable hiding spot and viewing room for the cat. A high-walled cat cage is also good.
Water
Sandbox for cats to go to the toilet
You can also put in additional scratching posts, toys, although the cat may be too stressed to play.

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Release the cat carefully. Wear gloves and keep the trap or cage away when releasing the cat. Most cats will quickly run into hiding, but some will find a way to escape.

Close the door. Cats are very agile and can leap over you to get out the door.

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Separate the cat from other animals in the house. A safe cat room should have no way in for other pets, including a gap in the door, because the animals can smell each other and germs can be transmitted this way. Change your shoes and clothing, and wash your hands and other areas of skin that have been in contact with your cat every time you leave the room to avoid spreading the disease to other pets in the house.

Cats can also transmit diseases to humans. If bitten by a cat, you need to wash the wound with soap and water, and immediately consult a doctor about the risk of rabies, a deadly disease if not vaccinated promptly. If scratched by a cat, wash it off immediately with soap and water, see a doctor if the area is red or swollen, or swollen glands, headache, fever, or exhaustion. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to source}

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Let the cat calm down for a few hours. Once the cat has calmed down, step into the room quietly, bringing food and a camera. Try to keep a close eye on the cat, preferably taking a clear picture so you can start looking for its owner.

The cat is less likely to become aggressive, but you need to leave immediately if you notice the following signs in your cat: ears pressed close to the head or pupils very dilated; shrink to gain momentum, tense posture; or slowly walk towards you, bowing as you walk.
A low purr or growl but no other warning signs mean the cat is scared. ^{[7] X Research Source} Don’t get too close, but don’t be afraid of it attacking either.

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Try to identify the cat owner. Start looking for a cat owner as soon as possible. If the cat doesn’t wear the tag, you can try the following:

Talk to neighbors.
Take it to the vet for a scan to see if the cat has a chip.
Call an animal shelter and ask if anyone has reported the loss of a cat that matches your cat’s characteristics.
Hand out flyers with the words FINDED in large size on a photo of the cat’s face.
Check your local newspaper for lost item notices. You can post a free newspaper in the “found” section.
Do not reveal identifying details other than the color of the cat’s coat or a photograph of the cat’s face.

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Reply to the person who can be the owner of the cat. If someone calls back, you’ll need to ask them about the cat’s sex and other identifying features to make sure they’re the cat’s owner. If the cat has no distinctive markings, ask them about their health and vaccination records, which include a description of the cat, or ask for contact details with the veterinarian. Although unlikely, it is also possible for someone to pretend to be the owner of a cat to take home to sell or raise without paying a fee.

If your cat has not been vaccinated or spayed/neutered (and left the house when it is old enough to be vaccinated), you should consider letting the animal shelter know. There they can take the cat and ask the owner to complete these medical procedures before returning the cat.

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Feed and care for your cat at regular times. Always bring your own cat food, and if the cat accepts, you should stay in the room while the cat eats. Food is the best tool for you to gain its trust. If your cat refuses to eat in your presence, you can let him eat alone, but need to show him that you are the one providing the food.

A familiar routine will help the cat guess when you’re coming, making it less fearful and waiting for the food you give it.
Sit in the chair for a few minutes, at least a few times a day. Try to show the cat that you’re not a threat: Move slowly, make yourself “small” by crouching, don’t look the cat in the eye, close your eyes and pretend you’re asleep, tell the truth. quietly or say nothing.

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Try to touch the cat. It may take two to three weeks with several brief interactions each day before your cat can calm down and comfortably eat around you. At this point, try slowly reaching out your hand to place more treats near the cat, as close to the cat as possible before it cowers, growls, or threatens. Do not throw food in or hold out your fingers. Repeat the movement, bringing your hand closer to the cat if it accepts. Finally, you can bring your hand close enough that the cat can smell your hand. Let it sniff your hand, then pull it back. If the cat approaches, try slowly stroking his shoulders or any other part that he rubs against you. Stroking slowly, gently because the cat may still be sensitive.

Pay attention to your cat’s body language. Most stray pets will allow you to touch them when they’re calm, and show warning signs if they’re upset. (You can ignore the hissing if the cat doesn’t continue to hiss more or turns into a growl.)
You are at a high risk of injury if the cat is indeed a feral cat. If the cat is not wearing a collar, meowing or approaching you, check for signs that it is a feral cat.

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Adopt a cat. If you’ve made every effort to find the cat’s owner (by law in some regions) and no one has responded within a month, you can either adopt the cat or give it to an animal shelter. If you decide to adopt the cat as part of your family, follow these steps:

Take your cat to the vet for a physical exam, testing for feline viral leukemia (FELV), feline immunodeficiency disease (FIV), feline distemper, rabies, and rabies. worms, vaccination and treatment for cats. Keep your cat out of contact with other pets in your home until all of these procedures are completed, including contact with your clothing. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
Castrate or neuter your cat to improve your cat’s health and behavior. Find a low-cost vet clinic to neuter your cat.
Gradually introduce the cat to other rooms and other pets in the house, one room or one member at a time.

Dealing with feral cats

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Make sure it’s a feral cat. Wild cats have never been kept as pets, have never meowed at people or made eye contact with people. A feral cat’s coat is usually cleaner and neater than a stray domestic cat because feral cats can take care of themselves. In addition, you can look for signs such as the following:

Alone feral cats are usually not spayed (male cats). Feral male cats are usually more muscular, muscular, and full-cheeked than neutered domestic cats. ^{[9] X Sources of Study} Some male cats have a stiffer, more lustrous coat or a hairless area at the base of the tail (“ponytail”). ^{[10] X Research Source}
An amputated ear tip is an international sign of a spayed or spayed feral cat. ^{[11] X Research Source}
Female feral cats often live in areas around landfills or other food sources. It is very difficult to distinguish a feral female cat from a roaming domestic cat when you see her walking alone. Pregnant or nursing female cats (with large breasts and nipples) are usually feral cats. ^{[12] X Research Sources}^{[13] X Research Sources}

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Spaying for cats. If your cat doesn’t have an amputated ear tip, take it to the vet to be spayed or neutered. Cats should be spayed prior to release to reduce annoying behaviors (such as peeing everywhere or meowing) and not to increase the number of feral cats. If an animal shelter or veterinary clinic participates in the Trap – Castration – Release program, they may be able to do the surgery for free. Take your cat to the vet right away so the cat doesn’t stay in the trap for more than 12 hours. ^{[14] X Research Source}

If you decide to participate in the Trap – Castration – Release program, you should purchase a transfer cage. These are traps and cages with openings that are connected to each other so that the cat can move into a larger space without escaping. ^{[15] X Research Source}
You can also tell if a cat has been neutered directly: follow the instructions for observing male and female cats. However, this tutorial often requires touching the cat so it is not recommended until you have learned and experienced.

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Overnight cat care. Usually cats need 24 hours to recover from surgery, but some female cats need up to 48 hours. Cover the trap or cage with a towel and bring it to a comfortable temperature room, since the cat is not fully anaesthetized and cannot regulate its temperature. Keep the room as quiet as possible and don’t let other people or pets into the room. Monitor your cat closely: ^{[16] X Research Source}

Feed kittens as soon as they wake up, and feed older cats eight hours after waking. Open the trap door slightly and insert some food and water in the plastic cover into the trap without reaching inside. Do not do this if you are not sure it is safe to do so. Cats don’t need to eat right away and are fine. ^{[17] X Research Source}
Call your veterinarian’s emergency number or regular contact number if your cat is bleeding, having trouble breathing, vomiting, or won’t wake up. ^{[18] X Source of Study} If your cat vomits while dozing, gently tilt the trap to allow the vomit to drain out of the cat’s throat. ^{[19] X Research Source}

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Release the cat. Adult feral cats are almost never trainable to be house cats. Return the trap to where you trapped it, open it, and wait for the cat to come out on its own. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Disinfect and clean traps before using them to catch other animals.
If you don’t want the cat in the neighborhood, take it to an animal shelter. Cats rarely adapt well when released to a new place, but rescue workers know how to increase their chances of success. ^{[21] X Research Source}

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Help the feral cat. If you want to help the cat, you can bring food and water near the place where you trapped it. Feral cats are vulnerable to cold weather, so a shelter and water source (warm water bowl) in the winter is very beneficial for them during the winter.

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Taming feral cats . If the cat shows a friendly attitude towards humans, or is less than four months old, you can keep it as a partially domesticated pet. ^{[22] X Source of Research} The first step is to take your cat to the vet for deworming and vaccinations. Then, gradually introduce the cat to the rooms in the house, one at a time, you may be successful in communicating with the animal. Remember that this will be difficult for an adult feral cat, and you may have to let it go if it doesn’t work.

Advice

Stray pets are often dehydrated. You should give your cat some cat food or canned tuna with water. This “soup” will help improve your cat’s health and appearance.
If you see a stray cat that is sick or injured while driving, pull over to the side of the road and signal other vehicles to slow down. If possible, block the cat from the roadway or use food to lure it into your car. Call animal control instead of trying to take the cat away yourself, as the cat may panic and interfere with you driving. ^{[23] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to Source}
If you often see cats roaming the streets of the neighborhood, you should keep the cat cage and pillowcase in the car. If you come across an injured cat on the road and can safely get it out of traffic, carefully wrap the cat in a pillowcase, put it in a cage, and take it to a veterinarian or humane institution. Contact those facilities in advance to inquire about costs: some 24-hour emergency clinics or sponsored humanitarian organizations can treat stray pets free of charge. Many other facilities do not have funding and will charge you when you bring the cat in.
Watch for signs of cats wandering the neighborhood such as torn garbage bags, a cat meowing at night, or a panicked behavior from your pets (especially when they’re looking out a door or window).
You may have heard rumors that many people try to get stray cats to illegally sell to laboratories. This is true, but very rarely happens with cats, at least in the US. In 2007, US realtors collected less than 300 cats from individuals, and not all of them were thieves or scammers. ^{[24] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to the source} However, if you are looking for a new home for a stray cat, visit the home in person and withdraw if you see any signs. What a suspicious sign. ^{[25] X Research Sources}

Warning

If you take your cat to an animal shelter and no one comes to pick it up, they can finish it off (in other words, put it to sleep forever). If you don’t want to, make sure to take your cat to a “no kill” place instead of an unclaimed pet slaughter place. ^{[26] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to Source}^{[27] X Research Source} Convince cat owners to adopt another cat so it can have a new family for being killed.
Stray or feral cats are often susceptible to disease if they are not vaccinated and dewormed. Symptoms include: watery eyes and nose, sneezing and coughing, difficulty breathing or making loud sounds when breathing, sunken eyes, protruding bones and thin body, flaky or dry skin, hair loss, vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to eat or drink, difficulty moving, or only taking a few steps and then lying down again. Any of these signs indicate that the animal needs medical attention as soon as possible.
If bitten by a cat, you need to quickly wash the wound with soap and water, and then contact your doctor. Unvaccinated stray or feral cats can transmit rabies. Rabies in humans will be 100% fatal, but can be prevented by timely vaccination against rabies. ^{[28] X Research Resources} Your doctor can give you advice depending on how common rabies is in your area.
Remember that cats can carry diseases like FIV and FELV. These diseases can be transmitted to other cats and cause serious health problems. Before you catch a cat, you need to take care of yourself first! This includes protecting yourself from stray and feral cats, and getting them fully vaccinated.

Steps

Approach the cat or catch the cat

Taking care of a stray cat

Dealing with feral cats

Advice

Warning

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