Should I call the shelter?

Question

I have the cutest kitty that comes to visit me and my own two kitties. She hangs out on the back porch, rolls over, does tricks, and sometimes just lays by my back door. My one cat even gets excited when she comes. They are friends. I am concerned though, because she doesn't have a collar. I only see her at night and she looks healthy. She is very social. If I opened the door, I have no doubt that she would come right in. Where strays tend to be more guarded. I put some food out for her yesterday and she didn't really eat any of it. I did give her a few treats today that she ate - I kind of just tossed them outside on the porch. She is such a sweet thing, but I feel badly for her that she doesn't have a collar. She may actually be a stray or be abandoned. I volunteer at the Humane Society and have thought about calling them, but am worried that she may belong to someone. What do you think? I worry about her safety, being outside - especially with no collar!

I thought about posting her picture in my community, to see if anyone says she is theirs. Again, I hate to call the shelter is she has an owner. Any ideas?

Also, if I do get a box from the shelter to put her in, I am a little afraid to touch her. Even though she is so social and healthy/clean looking, I am not so sure.

Emily, the Humane Society is a reputable shelter and only provides humane euthanasia when absolutely necessary.

Answer 1

First off, you say she only comes around in the evening and she hardly ever seems to want food. and she looks healthy and her weight is good. She's social and she does tricks? She honestly doesn't sound like stray cat to me. If she wanted to hang around your place, especially with the fact that you have two cats, then I might think that she was a stray, but she sounds like a cat who is an outdoor or indoor-outdoor cat who enjoys going to visit you. Not putting a collar on a cat isn't a crime I don't think. I don't collar mine - I think they're a safety hazard myself. Altho mine are only allowed outside under supervision I think the whole collar thing shouldn't be the issue to base your assumption on that she is a stray. If she looks well fed, does tricks, rarely eats any food that you put out, then she basically just likes you and likes to come visit.

I would tho, explore the possibility that she 'might' be one just to be sure. Make up some posters or simply take a picture of her and go around to all your neighbors and ask if anyone knows this cat - cover your block and the surrounding blocks and see if you get any bites. I bet you'll find that others have at least seen her and that should lead you in the direction of where she comes from. Once you find where she lives - or doesn't live - then you can make an informed decision on what to do with her.

If you find she is a stray, then to tell the truth, I'd probably take her in - at least temporarily - and try to find her a home. Advertise locally in your paper, the nickel ads, craigslist.org in their local area pet section - whatever venue you can figure out. Or at least try to find a pet shelter that is a no kill one. This cat sounds too cool to be taken to the humane society. While I admire the humane society - they have a dirty job and someone has to do it - I just hate the idea of seeing those poor animals put down :-( Good luck and I hope this works out well for you all - especially this cool kitty!!

Answer 2

Well you could try posting pictures of her around your neighborhood. Just to make sure that she doesnt belong to someone. If you dont get any answers then call the shelter. You may not like it but its best for the cat, but if you want to keep it then if you dont get anything from the posters then just see if she will come inside. Sense your cat made a friend with it then they wont be all teritorial and not be happy with each other. Just do whatever you feel whats best for her. Although this cat sounds like a winner for you. You already seem attached to her, and dont think that I said that you sould call the shelter. Just to what you feel is best.

Answer 3

You should have a cat carrier, if only for your own cats in case of emergency.

Take her by carrier or box to any vets and see if she has a microchip in. If she does, her owner is traceable via the information.

Is there any reason you can't 'adopt' her? Or put a breakaway collar on her with a note attached for any owner to see? I do suspect she's owned by someone in the neighborhood but she should not be out late like that.

Answer 4

if the cat keeps coming around then by all means adopt it. Like you said -- post a few posters or flyers around the community, find out if it is someone's beloved pet. If not, take it to a vet, have it checked out, put a collar on it with YOUR information.. and love it all you can. This little cat sounds like a WINNER! and you sound attached already... This cat has taken to you for a reason :)

Answer 5

I had the same problem. i moved into a new place and this orange "tiger" cat started to visit. I named him and you would never have noticed that he was abandoned. He was really friendly. Eventually winter was coming and i was worried about him so i took him to the Humane Society and they neutered/Spayed him and did whatever else.He found a new home quick ( i couldn't keep him, i regretted it for sure) I was at 1st nervous to touch him cause i thought he might be sick but he didn't have any symptoms. So i eventually touched him and he acted like he never had attention before. You should ask the vet if any lost cats have been reported, if not she's yours!

Answer 6

A lot of cats are let out at night because they are nocturnal in nature.

A lot of cat owners don't put collars on their cats ... I don't either and my cat comes in when he's ready.

If the cat seems healthy it's probably got an owner and just comes around to play with your cats

Answer 7

Why not keep her? She sounds sweet. I think you should put up flyers and wait a couple weeks and if no answer i would phone the humaine society. It would be better to find a no kill shelter if that one is not already.

Answer 8

Put up flyers and if she has no owner ask people you know if they want a cat or keep her. I wouldn't send it to a shelter cause all they do is put the animals to sleep there. Well good luck!!

Answer 9

i think that first you should put out flyers and try to put her on the cmputer and you could take her to the vet to see if she has a microchip that way you can see if she belongs to anyone... i dont think you should give her to the humane society!!!!!!!!! no offense. but they put themn to sleep! if you truely cant find the owner call that place that place that doesnt put them to sleep i forogt wats its called though

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