Animal Welfare Advice if you Found a Cat
Found a Friendly cat
If a strange friendly cat suddenly turns up in your garden looking healthy he is probably just an inquisitive neighbourhood cat that lives close by, just say hello & then leave him alone. DO NOT feed him, he is very likely to come back, thinking you are a soft touch for seconds or he may prefer the food you give him and decide to move in with you, leaving his owner lonely and wondering where he has gone.
If he keeps turning up anyway and is starting to look a bit thinner then it’s time to act.
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If the cat will let you approach him, make a paper collar saying “If this is your cat please call this number……………” and fasten the collar with a SMALL piece of sellotape (sellotape around the whole thing could be dangerous if the cat gets caught in anything) - if no one calls within a few days then the cat may be lost.
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If no one calls, then you will need to get him scanned for a chip – you can contact local charity, Harvey’s Army www.facebook.com/groups/HarveysArmyNorth/ to send someone around to scan him, or if you have a secure cat carrier to take him to the nearest Vets they will usually be able to scan the cat for free to see if it has a microchip.
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You can also advertise the cat using flyers or social media sites, such as Warrington Pets Lost & Found. It is also a good idea to talk to neighbours and the postman. Do they know of anyone who has lost a cat or if they have seen any Missing Cat posters nearby?
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If the owner cannot be traced after significant enquiries (you should allow 2 weeks), and if you can’t look after the cat yourself, please contact us and other local animals charities so he can be added to the waiting list for a rescue place.
Found Feral and Stray Cats
If a cat turns up in poor condition e.g. thin and dirty with scratches from fighting it is clearly a long term stray. You can feed him and provide shelter. If he is in a poor state, then urgent action to help him is required.
Contact someone as soon as you can to check if he has a microchip, you will have to contain the cat inside to do this, you may have to win his trust by regular feeding to do this. Some stray cats lose their confidence, they are lost and confused and they need your help. If microchipped and up to date, the owner can be contacted and you have helped the cat back to his home.
If the cat is visibly ill, please contact a vet as soon as possible.