A strange cat visits us every day for food. I don't know if she's a stray or not, but i'm worried she'll starve if I don't feed her. Another problem is that my other cat is scared of her and will often jump out through the window if she comes too close.
2006-10-28 09:31:24 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
If you have a suspicion that it may be someone's pet, check with neighbors first to make sure it is not their cat roaming the neighborhood. Many animal shelters and humane societies also keep lists of animals reported found. If someone has lost a pet, they can check these lists to see if someone may have found it. If you find that no one claims the cat, I would suggest contacting your Humane Society or other no-kill shelter. http://www.hsus.org/
If you suspect that the cat is not a pet, and just a stray, consult Alley Cat Allies. It's an organization that helps control feral cat populations through humane trap-neuter-return practices. You can check out their website FAQ's for what to do in certain situations if you think your visitor might be a feral cat. http://www.alleycat.org/faqs.html
2006-10-28 09:53:05 · answer #1 · answered by cammysauce 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not feed the cat, mainly because you already have a cat and your own cat will not like having its territory 'invaded' and this could lead to problems.
If you didn't already have a cat, I would say you could happily keep feeding the stray, however be aware that it is very common for people to feed strays thinking the cat will starve otherwise when in actual fact the cat does this at several people's houses and may even have an owner somewhere who is also feeding it so the result is that it eats like a king. If you keep feeding it, it won't come back because it is hungry, it will come back purely because it will take what it can get! So by all means feed a stray if you like but be aware that you are probably not the only one feeding it and the cat is no more likely to become loyal to you. Also, cats are natural hunters so if no one puts out food for it, it will find (read that as 'kill') its own - cats are wily creatures who are unlikely to die of starvation unless there is some reason they are unable to hunt or procure their own food.
2006-10-28 16:44:38 · answer #2 · answered by Leafy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on where you live the cat may be considered legally yours. In FL if you have been feeding a cat for 2 weeks you are considered the owner.
I feed cats, too. If you are going to have the Humane Society help you catch this cat make sure that the shelter is a "no kill", otherwise if she is not adopted in a very short time she will be put to sleep.
2006-10-28 17:15:57 · answer #3 · answered by Sharingan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GOD will bless you if you feed her!!! just put the food away from the house, so the other cats can't see her. the other cat think this cat are trying to eat up their food are take their home, and they really don;t understand. my cat was 3 years old and jumped on a baby cat once.
2006-10-28 16:43:18 · answer #4 · answered by Kas-O 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you should not. Food is only one thing a cat needs. Ask your local humane society for a trap and catch the cat and deliver it to them. They will clean her up and find her a home. It sounds like your cat wants to be an only cat.
This is what the humane society does where I live anyway.
2006-10-28 16:43:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feed strays, too, just because I don't like to see anything go hungry - human or animal. In my neighborhood we feed the feral cats and then ask the Humane Shelter to help us capture them, after which they get good medical care and a good home.
2006-10-28 16:36:25 · answer #6 · answered by sunflowerjean63 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, you shouldnt. Unless, of course, you like having the cat around. If you do feed it, it will become attached, and see you and your home as a place for food. I would, next time it comes to your house, not give it anything, and just try to get it away.
2006-10-28 16:34:52 · answer #7 · answered by Miles B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd pu a dish out on the front or back porch for it. That way it won't starve, and will be able to eat without your cat getting scared.
2006-10-28 18:28:29 · answer #8 · answered by smile.for.meee<3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it have a collar and tags? Probably not by the sounds of it. Next time she shows up, call a shelter or animal control. If she does have an owner, the owner will find her at the shelter, don't worry.
2006-10-28 16:37:32 · answer #9 · answered by Judgerz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
once you feed the cat it will always come back. let someone else worry about it or take the cat in.
2006-10-28 16:39:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋