How to Care For a Stray Cat

Stray cats have a way of capturing your heart.

It's hard to ignore stray cats, especially when they show up hungry on your front porch. If a stray is friendly, chances are she used to have a home and is either lost or has been put out to fend for herself. Truly feral (wild) cats are very shy and may never show themselves. Your choices range from ignoring her--she will leave once she realizes she won't get fed--to taking her inside as a pet house cat. Hopefully, you have decided on the latter.

Instructions

1. 

   Safety is important. Do not run into traffic to "rescue" a stray cat. You may drive the cat into an oncoming car.

   File a report with the local animal control to make sure the cat does not belong to somebody else. Put up some flyers in the neighborhood. Many times, house cats escape when a maid leaves the front door open or if there is furniture being brought in or out. It's possible someone is looking her.

2. Bring the cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible.If money is an issue, bring the cat to a local shelter or animal control. You need to have the cat checked for communicable diseases as well as internal and external parasites. The vet will counsel you on whether the cat has been spayed or neutered. You will want to have that done to prevent more unwanted litters. Call your shelter or cat rescue group to find a low-cost vet clinic. It is possible to get this surgery done inexpensively in most places, you just have to call around.

3. 

   Many confirmed "dog people" become "cat people" after adding a feline to the family.

   Go shopping. You will need to purchase cat supplies such as a litter box, scooper, litter, food and water bowls, cat food (wet and dry), treats and toys. Your cat will most likely want to sleep with you and be around you as much as possible if she is a social cat, so get used to having a cat in your life and congratulations for joining the ranks of cat people.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have resident cats who are balking at the new family member, introduce them slowly by confining the new cat to an unused bedroom and allow the cats to play footsie with their paws under the door.

• Never bring a stray cat into a house where there are other cats without first having a combo test done for feline leukemia and FIV, both of which are highly communicable, life-threatening illnesses.

References

• Humane Society of the United States: What to Do if You Find a Stray
• ASPCA: Caring for a Stray

Resources

• Alley Cat Allies