We've seen it around our house for months, never seems to go 'home', we've even seen her late at night scavenging. We've got her in the house now, and she's being very friendly, though she is very skinny. There is no collar, and I cannot feel a chip. But I'm pretty sure she's on heat. Whats the best way to go about finding her owner, or if not finding her a home or keeping her here?
2007-09-16 08:36:30 · 18 answers · asked by cmrl 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
try petfinder.com and list her in the classifieds under found pets--its free and will get a lot of visits
2007-09-16 08:57:27 · answer #1 · answered by Ayden's Mommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is making sounds like never heard before, she is probably in heat. If you let her go, then there will be another batch of unwanted kittens in about 63 days. Even if you are not sure, keep her inside until you make a decision where to take her.
In most States, a cat that is off the premises is 'fair game' for anyone to adopt. A humane society shelter should have the ability to scan for a microchip, and if there is none, there really is no owner, unless they have a lost cat report.
If you live near a college or university, and the cat has been around for several months (like since the semester ended) it has a high probability of having belonged to a student, who simply dumped it outside at the end of the semester.
She obviously belonged to someone once.
2007-09-16 08:47:23 · answer #2 · answered by cat lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please give her a home. You sound like you already feel that she is your cat. I would not really be too concerned about returning a wandering, skinny cat, who is scavenging for food to the person who "owns" her. If she's in heat- keep her inside so that she will be safe from the male cats- and from producing a litter of kittens who will then need homes. After her heat- have her spayed, and keep her indoors. If this is more than you feel willing or are able to do- take her to a no-kill shelter. She deserves a better life than what you have described.
2007-09-16 09:03:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey there. I would think that the best idea would be to trap the cat. This is actually not that difficult if the cutie is hanging out at your place. You can usually get these traps for free with a deposit they rip up after you return them. Try checking out Stray Cat Alliance's website. Once you get a trap, just buy a can of sardines and put some sardines with some juice on some newspaper at the end of the trap and disappear. Kitty should smell and go in and when his/her paw touches the floor at a certain point, the door closes. Then put a blanket or towel over the trap when he is in it so that it calms him down and leave him be for about ten minutes. Then you can open it in an enclosed area and let kitty hang out. Eventually you can take him in into the vet to get checked out! Good luck!
2007-09-17 05:42:24 · answer #4 · answered by torygoblue 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, apparently you aren't going to be able to find the owner. So either you catch it to keep as your own or catch it and take it to your vet or humane society. It will always go where the food is, so keep moving the food closer and closer to your door or house. Talk to it. Make it comfortable with you and you will eventually be able to pet it. You can also borrow a trap from the humane society. It sounds bad but it really isn't. Just put the food in the trap and it will catch the cat. I've done that several times, and brought the cat inside to keep as my own. Good luck, it will work out. I'm glady you are caring enough to help this poor cat. More people should be like you!!!
2007-09-16 09:15:31 · answer #5 · answered by lazycat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep her with you inside and get her spayed as soon as possible. If you do that you will have records with dates that she sees the vet and that will be proof of the time you have been caring for her.
If she is skinny producing a litter of kittens will be hard on her and detrimental to her health and most likely the kittens will be compromised too.
I wouldn't worry about who "owns" the cat. I am sure that any vet or the humane society will support your efforts to give this cat a safe and healthy life if that issue is raised by any former "owner". And you are entitled to demand that you be reinbursed for any medical assistance you give to the cat.
Certainly take her picture - one that shows her poor physical condition and file a "found cat" report with the local humane society. That way you will be protected from accusations of stealing someone's pet.
2007-09-16 08:49:32 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously she's been fending for herself for a long time and she's very grateful to you for 'saving' her from the elements.
I would keep her,.. and get her spayed or checked by vet.
If in heat, must wait till at least a month after heat before doing. Be sure to NOT let her out.
If you think she may have just lost her way (but may have been abandoned/dumped), put posters up or found ad in local paper ( local papers here do not charge for found items/animals---I'm in Western Canada}
Fatten her up some and she will be the best companion pet, I think you are doing great with her rescue.
2007-09-16 08:43:24 · answer #7 · answered by deltadawn 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put signs up at local vets and ask your neighbors if they know who the owner is.
Also, if you are going to keep her- get her fixed because when they are in heat, they tend to smell pretty bad.
If she is skinny then she is probably a stray. Make sure you get a good quality cat food from the pet store- like Science Diet or Wellness.
2007-09-16 08:44:23 · answer #8 · answered by Madison 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any cat outdoors for months, thin, and seen at all hours of the day is a stray up for any good home willing to adopt them.
Since the previous owner never spayed her, they're not doing their job. Keep her.
2007-09-16 12:45:16 · answer #9 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Post flyers saying ''Found cat'' and give a brief but not detailed description (the owner should have to tell you something about the cat to proof it's theirs). If nothing comes up, you can either contact your local rescue to help find a home, or keep her, yourself. Still contact local rescues though, to possibly get a low cost spay scheduled.
2007-09-16 08:43:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she's been out and finding her own food for a long time its obvious she's a stray or lost. (people drop cats off around my house all the time a leave them to fend for themselves) If you want to keep her with you, keep her while you post fliers and ask around about someone losing a cat. Then if no one comes either keep her or take her to a no kill shelter!
2007-09-16 08:58:49 · answer #11 · answered by Snow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋