Help! I've found a stray cat. What do I do?

When you come across a friendly cat, there is always someone in your neighbourhood caring for this cat who loves them - sometimes even multiple people! In every urban community, there are both pets, cats who are allowed outside and semi-owned or ‘community’ cats living happily amongst us, with people caring for them who are not their owners. Remember, not all straying cats are lost pets!

If the cat is an adult and appears healthy, the best thing you can do is leave them where they are to find their way home.

Friendly cats

If the cat is friendly and returns more than once, you can try to find out who owns or cares for the cat. Making a paper collar and attaching it with a couple of pieces of tape is a great way to get in contact with the cat’s owner. On the paper collar, write a note saying, ‘Please call this number if this is your cat… (enter your contact number)’. Or, put a note to let the owners know their cat is wandering. Quite often, the owners won't even be aware.

http://bit.ly/paper-cat-collar

You have reached PetRescue - a charity that supports rescue organisations, shelters, vets, and councils across the nation that list rescue pets for adoption on our website. Unfortunately, we don't have a physical shelter or the ability to take pets into care.

For nervous or stressed cats

If the cat is nervous or stressed, please don't risk being bitten or scratched. In every urban community, there are both pets, cats who are allowed outside and semi-owned or ‘community’ cats living happily amongst us, with people caring for them who are not their owners. Remember, not all straying cats are lost pets!

If the cat is an adult and appears healthy, the best thing you can do is leave them where they are to find their way home.


Rescue groups may also be able to provide additional support or assistance . You can use our Rescue Directory Map to find groups in your area.

Remember, in most cases, the worst outcomes for cats and the people who love them result from taking the cat to your local shelter or council. Research shows that lost pet cats are more likely to find their way back home themselves than if they are picked up and taken into care, with only 5% of cats who enter council facilities or shelters being reunited with their owners.

Even if the cats are unowned, if they are healthy cats in good condition, don’t attempt to trap them and take them to your council or shelter. There are better ways of managing and reducing cat numbers, like the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation’s Community Cat Program model. Alley Cat Allies also has some great information and resources to help if you want to be a great ally for cats in your community

It is worth noting that we’re currently in the midst of a national cat vaccination shortage - so many rescues, shelters and councils, unfortunately, aren’t able to take urban stray cats into their care. To find out more about what this means, see this article.

Now more than ever, it is important that we support cats where they are in the community to keep them out of shelters and get as many cats desexed as we can - desexed cats are happier and healthier cats who create fewer issues for their neighbours!

The sad truth is that council facilities and shelters are generally not safe places for kittens and cats, with thousands killed each year. PetRescue is trying to change this, and we’d love your help. Read more about our Safe & Sound Pets campaign here.

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