ALLEY CAT RESCUE
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  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Loan Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Common Complaints
    • Providing Shelter
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Socializing Feral Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health & Supplies
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Financial Assistance
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Cats and COVID-19
    • Cat Supplies
    • Pet Food Banks
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat >
      • Rehoming
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
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You Found a Stray Cat … Now What?

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So you found a stray cat, or more likely a stray cat has found you ... now what should you do?  Follow these steps!

1. Check with your neighbors. Keep in mind the cat might not be a “stray.” Chances are the cat has a home but has somehow become lost or is simply out for a long stroll through the neighborhood. Even if the cat looks dirty or skinny - like s/he’s been living on the streets - s/he might have a home and just has been lost for a few days. If you’re not familiar with a particular cat and she’s not wearing an ID tag, ask a few neighbors if the cat is theirs or if they know whose cat s/he might be.
 
2. Tips on Finding the Cat’s Guardian
If asking a few neighbors doesn’t get you anywhere, here are a few ways try you can try to track down the cat’s guardian.
  • Have a local vet scan the cat for a microchip and to look for any tattoos that might offer identification for the animal.
  • Take a photo of the cat and ask all local vet clinics if any of the staff recognize the cat or if they’ve received a call from the guardian reporting him/her missing.
  • Post his/her photo, along with the location where you found the cat, to local social media "lost & found" groups/pages (ex. Facebook, Nextdoor). This is an easy and great way to reunite lost animals with their guardians.
  • Post his/her photo and location found to websites dedicated to lost & found pets.
  • Create flyers. Take a good photo of the cat, write a basic description, and then use the free flyer-maker program at www.petbond.com to create your flyers. Leave out some information so you can ask specific questions of possible guardians to help verify that the cat is really theirs. For example, you could leave out information about the gender of the animal, or that he/she has white feet, or a really short or bushy tail. Don't forget to put your phone number and times you can be reached in the ad or flyer. Print out the flyers, attach them to brightly colored poster board, and write "FOUND CAT" in large black letters across the top, to ensure that the flyers are noticed. Hang them in the area where you found the cat and in nearby neighborhoods. Also ask local vet clinics and pet supply stores if you can hang a flyer in their office or store.
  • If you’re unable to find the cat’s guardian on your own, be sure to check with your local animal shelter. Some municipalities require you to turn the animal over to them, while others will allow you to keep the cat while you attempt to find the guardian. If you must take the animal to the shelter, be sure to claim "first and last rights." Claiming first rights gives you an adoption privilege if the animal is not claimed by the guardian. Claiming last rights gives you an adoption privilege if the animal is not claimed within a given time period and is due to be euthanized. It is a good idea to call the animal control facility daily to let them know that you are interested in the animal's welfare.
 
3. Verify the Person's Identity
There are some people who monitor lost and found pet ads in an attempt to scam unsuspecting people by claiming animals are theirs and then selling them for lab research or other terrible purposes. So use extreme caution and ask questions before you give the cat to someone claiming to be the guardian.
  • Ask the caller to bring a photo of the animal to the meeting place.
  • Ask for the phone number of the caller's veterinarian and call to verify the information.
  • See how the animal reacts to the caller in person. If you are not satisfied, ask for more proof of guardianship.
  • Remember to get the person’s full name, phone number, and address.
 
4.  Can’t Find the Guardian?
If you've exhausted all options and a lengthy period of time goes by with no guardian coming forward, it's time to think about the cat's future. If you decide to adopt the cat, make sure to have him/her examined by a vet, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.

If you need to rehome the cat, start by asking your friends and family, and then call local nonprofit, no-kill rescues to see if they can place the cat into their adoption program. 

You can also network her on social media and post her on Adopt-a-Pet's Rehome site.

Best Friends and The Rescue Train also offer great tips for find cats a new permanent home.
​

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  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission
      • Our Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial Information
      • Email Sign-up
    • ACR in the Press
    • ACR Publications >
      • Newsletters
      • Blog
      • Press Releases
      • National Surveys
    • Adoptions >
      • Adoption Application
      • Cats available for adoption
      • New Cat Checklist
      • Introducing A New Cat
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
    • Partners
  • Action Alerts
    • Spay Neuter Pledge
    • No Declaw Pledge
    • Campaigns >
      • TNR Support Letter
      • The Feral Fix
      • Working Cats Program >
        • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
      • End Deadly Eradication Methods
      • "Fix the Family"
  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Loan Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Common Complaints
    • Providing Shelter
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Socializing Feral Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health & Supplies
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Financial Assistance
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Cats and COVID-19
    • Cat Supplies
    • Pet Food Banks
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat >
      • Rehoming
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
  • Donate
  • Store