Found cat advice - Useful tips on things to do if you find a cat

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

If you have a cat living with you or visiting and you think it is either lost, abandoned, the owner has moved and left it behind, or it appears to be just roaming around; DO NOT ASSUME IT HAS NO OWNER (OR ASSUME IT HAS).

•  If the cat will let you approach him, make up a paper collar with a note on saying: "If this is your cat please call this number...", so that you can ascertain whether the cat is definitely stray. Place it round the cat's neck and secure the two ends with a small piece of selloptape (don't put sellotape right round the whole thing as that can be dangerous if the cat gets caught up anywhere). If no-one calls in 48 hours you can be fairly sure it is most likely lost or stray, then proceed as follows...

•  If the cat is hungry, please feed it, and make water available, not cows milk (many cats and kittens are lactose intolerant)

•  If you cannot take it into your home, please make sure there is some shelter for it outside, which is dry and waterproof. This can be as simple as a cardboard box covered with a bin liner or clingfilm, and weighted down against the wind, or tucked under a bush for stability. Ideal bedding to put inside is a thick layer of straw, which acts as a heat-conserving 'nest'. If straw is not readily available, a jumper or towel will do, but this will need to be changed regularly as these retain moisture and can encourage mold or mildew.

•  Contact your local animal rescue groups, in case they have been reported as lost - contact details for rescues across the UK can be found here:  http://www.catchat.org/adoption/index.html

•  Give the cat's description to local vets in case the owner contacts them, and if possible, take the cat to a vet who will check for a microchip - for details of vets in your area go to: www.any-uk-vet.co.uk

•  Phone the RSPCA helpline to register the cat's details, as they match up lost & found cats across the UK: 0300 1234 999

•  Check the "Lost a Pet" galleries (searchable by area) to see if the cat has been reported lost, here: www.animalsearchuk.co.uk

•  Check the lost & found notices in your local paper

•  Make up a small notice saying "Cat Found" with a description, which can be displayed in local newsagents, shops etc. It is a good idea not to give a full description of the cat, so that if someone contacts you saying the cat belongs to them, you can check those extra details with them to know if they are the genuine owners, and not just someone after a "free cat"

•  If the owner cannot be traced, and you are not able to take the cat in yourself, contact your local rescue centre as above, so that they can arrange to take the cat into care, and find him or her a new home

EVEN IF THE CAT LOOKS IN PERFECT HEALTH, PLEASE THINK HOW YOU WOULD FEEL IF YOU LOST YOUR CAT AND SOMEONE DID NOT BOTHER TO REPORT IT.  It may simply be lost and could have been lost months previously.  It is not unknown for cats to get into cars, removal vans, and so on, and be transported miles from their homes. Rescues have hundreds of cats on their lost/found register and the number increases on a daily basis.  Most of the cats who go missing must be out there somewhere and, although many are reunited with their owners, many are not and most of these may have been taken in or being fed by well meaning people, but are never actually reported.  Depending on the condition of the cat and the safety of the location rescues can decide what course of action to take to ensure the cat receives all the help it needs.

If the cat is timid and you cannot catch it most rescues have traps, at least then the little one can be taken to the vets to scanned, have an MOT, flea and worm treatment etc, if unneutered Cats Protection can give vouchers for the cost of neutering.  If feral you could ask rescues to try to find suitable homes for them. Although many cats people call feral are in actual fact "garden cats" - that is a cat that was once domesticated but then let down by society, these cats usually tame down very quickly once in a home.


Also check out the following sites to see if the cat has been reported lost:

http://www.catchat.org/forum.html

http://www.mymoggy.com/  contact Sue at mymoggy.

http://nationalpetregister.org/missing-cats/  - search by county for missing cats

http://www.petsearchuk.co.uk/lost_and_found_pets.php

http://www.animalsearchuk.co.uk

http://pet-rescue.org.uk/forums/index.php?showforum=447

http://www.lostmycat.org/index.php

http://www.animalrescuers.co.uk/html/lostfound.html

http://www.foundandlostpets.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/129703920378095/?fref=ts

Also don't forget to check ad websites, such as.....

www.friday-ad.co.uk

www.adtrader.co.uk

www.uk.freeads.net

www.classifieds.co.uk

and also your local rescue shelter/s websites too!