Leslie Massey
If you find a stray cat in Australia, it is important to first determine whether it is a stray or a lost pet. You can do this by checking for identification, such as a collar with a tag, or by taking the cat to a local vet to be scanned for a microchip, which is required by law in South Australia. If the cat appears friendly, you can also try attaching a paper collar with a note asking the owner to call you if it is their cat. If you are unable to locate the owner and decide to take the cat in, you will need to vaccinate, desex, and care for it, which can be a big commitment. If the cat appears to be injured or unwell, you should take it to a vet or shelter for treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps | Check the cat's appearance and behaviour, ask around your neighbours, put up posters, check lost and found online sites |
| If the cat is injured or unwell | Get close to the cat to check for visible injuries, then transport it to your local vet clinic or shelter |
| If the cat is pregnant | Give her space, avoid disturbing her, provide food and water, and a warm, dry shelter |
| If you cannot locate the owner | Contact RSPCA SA for help |
| If the cat is healthy | Leave it alone, don't take it to a shelter or pound |
| If you want to adopt the cat | Take it to a vet clinic to check for a microchip, vaccinate, desex and care for the cat |
| If you are unable to care for the cat | Take it to an animal shelter or rescue organisation |
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What You'll Learn
How to tell if a cat is a stray
It is important to distinguish a stray cat from a feral cat, as the latter is unlikely to adjust to living with people and cannot be adopted into an indoor home. A stray cat is a cat that has lived indoors and been socialised with people at some point in its life, but has lost its home or been abandoned.
Stray cats may be socialised enough to allow people to touch them, but they will become less socialised, or even feral, if they spend too much time without positive interaction with humans. A stray cat may be trying to get into your house or looking for food, and it may well have a home nearby.
- Check for identification, such as a collar with tags, and ring the number if there is one.
- Door-knock your neighbourhood with a picture of the cat, especially those who are new to the area, as their cat may have escaped during the move.
- Make flyers and letterbox your neighbourhood.
- Ring your local vet to see if they have any reports of lost cats, and ask if they can scan for a microchip.
- Review pictures of lost cats on Facebook groups such as Lost Pets in NSW, and check the lost and found sections of sites like Gumtree.
If you have exhausted all avenues to find the owner and are sure the cat is a stray, you can take it to a vet clinic to check for a microchip. If the cat is not owned and you want to take responsibility for vaccinating, desexing, and caring for it, you can do so.
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What to do if the cat is injured or unwell
If you find a stray cat that appears to be injured or unwell, there are several steps you can take to help it. Firstly, if the cat seems approachable and you can safely do so, try to get it into a cat carrier or another ventilated and secure container. You can use a towel or blanket to protect yourself from scratches and to avoid causing the cat further distress. If the cat is unable to be handled, contact your local council or an animal welfare organisation, such as RSPCA, for assistance. They can provide advice and may be able to loan a humane cat trap if the cat needs to be taken to the vet.
Once you have safely contained the cat, transport it to your nearest veterinary clinic or shelter. Vets are required to provide emergency treatment and care to sick or injured animals at no cost to the finder. They will be able to evaluate the cat's condition and provide any necessary medical attention. Before taking the cat to the vet, you can also contact them to describe the cat's condition and seek advice on the next steps. If possible, share photos or videos of the cat to help the veterinarian assess the situation.
It is important to get the cat scanned for a microchip to determine if it has an owner. Even if the cat is not microchipped, the vet will typically take responsibility for its care. If you are unable to bring the cat to the vet yourself, you can contact a local advocate, organisation, or veterinarian for assistance. They may be able to provide advice, loan a cat trap, or take the necessary steps to help the cat. Remember, it is crucial to act quickly and seek immediate veterinary care for an injured or unwell stray cat.
If you come across a stray cat that has had kittens, you should generally leave them alone unless they are in danger. Interfering could cause the mother to reject or even harm her kittens. However, if the mother or kittens appear unwell, contact the RSPCA or a similar organisation for guidance. In such cases, it is essential to keep the mother and kittens together.
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How to help a pregnant stray cat
If you find a pregnant stray cat, you should first determine whether it is a stray or simply a lost cat. Check for identification, such as a collar with the owner's contact details. You can also ask around your neighbourhood, put up posters, or check lost and found sites online. If you are confident that the cat is a stray, there are several ways you can help.
Pregnant stray cats require special care. Firstly, avoid disturbing the cat, as this may cause stress, which could lead to miscarriage or rejection of the newborns. Provide food and water nearby, and ensure the cat has access to a warm and dry shelter, especially during poor weather. Kitten food can be beneficial during pregnancy and nursing. However, if the cat has fleas, seek professional advice, as flea treatments can be harmful to pregnant cats and kittens.
If you are unable to locate the owner, consider contacting a local cat rescue or shelter for advice and resources. They may be able to provide support and guidance throughout the pregnancy and birthing process. It is also important to monitor the cat during labour, as there is a chance she may encounter difficulties and require assistance.
If you decide to take responsibility for the cat and her kittens, you can create profiles on websites such as Rehome to find suitable forever homes for them. Remember to vaccinate, desex, and microchip the cats before rehoming them, in accordance with local laws and regulations.
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How to find the owner of a stray cat
If you find a stray cat, it's important to first determine whether it is genuinely a stray or simply a lost cat with an owner. Cats tend to roam and can appear lost even when they have a home nearby, so it's essential to make sure they are genuinely homeless before assuming they are strays. Here are some steps you can take to find the owner of a stray cat:
- Check for identification: If the cat is wearing a collar with tags, try calling the number on the tag.
- Ask around your neighbourhood: Talk to your neighbours, especially those who are new to the area, as their cat may have escaped during the move.
- Create and distribute posters: Make flyers with a picture of the cat and letterbox your neighbourhood. You can also enlist the support of neighbours to spread the word.
- Contact local vets and shelters: Ring your local vet and animal shelters to check if they have any reports of lost cats matching the description. Ask if they can scan the cat for a microchip, which can help identify the owner.
- Utilise online resources: Check lost and found websites such as Lost Pets in NSW or Gumtree.com.au. You can also post about the found cat on these platforms to increase the chances of reaching the owner.
- Assess the cat's behaviour and appearance: Owned cats that are allowed outdoors can travel long distances. A well-groomed cat with a healthy weight is more likely to be owned.
If you have exhausted all avenues to find the owner and are confident that the cat is indeed a stray, you can consider becoming its owner. Take the cat to a vet to get it vaccinated, desexed, and microchipped before officially welcoming it into your family. Remember, adopting a stray cat is a significant commitment that requires care, affection, patience, and financial resources.
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How to adopt a stray cat
Adopting a stray cat can be challenging but rewarding. Before you consider taking in a stray cat, it's important to determine whether it is a stray or a lost pet. Cats that seem to be strays may have a home, as they tend to roam and can appear lost.
If the cat has identification, ring the number on the tag. You can also ask your neighbours, put up posters, or check lost and found online sites. If you are confident that the cat is a stray, ensure that it is healthy. If the cat appears injured or unwell, place them in a cat carrier and take them to a vet clinic or shelter.
If you decide to adopt a stray cat, take it to a vet clinic to check for a microchip. If the cat is not owned and you want to take responsibility for vaccinating, desexing, and caring for the cat, you can do so. Adopting a stray cat is a big commitment that requires adjustments, patience, and financial resources. It is important to do your research and carefully consider the responsibilities of cat ownership.
The process of acclimatising a stray cat to your home is likely to be gradual. Scared stray cats need time to relax and regain trust in humans. Keeping your interactions relaxed and non-threatening will lead to the cat gradually trusting you. Several Australian animal welfare charities offer resources on how to socialise strays effectively, and some have adoption programs where strays can find loving homes.
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Frequently asked questions
First, try to determine whether the cat is a stray or a lost pet. Check if it has identification, and ask around your neighbourhood. If you are confident that the cat is a stray, you should then assess its health. If it appears injured or unwell, take it to a vet to be scanned for a microchip. If it is healthy, it is best to leave it alone.
There are some key differences between strays and lost pets. Stray cats are often more comfortable around people and may try to live near them, under porches or in garages or sheds. Lost pet cats are generally not far from home and are more likely to be friendly. They may also be wearing identification.
Give the cat plenty of space and avoid disturbing her, as this may cause her to reject her newborns. Provide food and water nearby, and a warm, dry shelter if the weather is poor. Keep an eye on her, and contact your local animal welfare organisation for advice if she needs help.
