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With roughly 70 million unowned cats in the United States, chances are good that you’ll come across one occasionally, especially if you live in an urban area where these cats often live on the fringe of our society. Unowned or stray cats fall into different categories depending on their socialization with humans, but one thing they all have in common is that as a whole, we’re not sure what to do with them all. While we don’t expect you to solve all the problems surrounding stray cats, here are some tips if you come across one or a group of them.
Understanding Outdoor Cats
There are a lot of complexities and controversies surrounding stray cats, for them and for us. While they’re worried about their next meal and where they’ll sleep that night, we’re worried about their growing population and what exactly to do with them. But, first things first, what exactly constitutes a stray cat?
Types of Free-Roaming Cats
A homeless cat isn’t just a homeless cat, it turns out. They can be classified based on the amount of human socialization they’ve had.
Feral cats: These are your true wild cats. They have had no to very little socialization with humans and will not approach people or houses. Feral cats tend to live in colonies with other ferals.
Stray or abandoned cats: These kitties have had homes in the past but have either become lost or abandoned. They will often approach humans and will take a handout of food or affection. Stray cats will likely be alone.
Outdoor cats: Some kitties prefer a life outdoors and may wander the neighborhood but have a home to return to for meals and at night. Outdoor cats are often friendly and will approach humans though they may or may not take a handout since they are already provided resources at home.
Characteristics of Skilled Outdoor Survivalists
Cats came from a life in the wild, but that doesn’t mean that they are all equipped to survive on the streets. What you may find is that a stray cat that once had a home may look disheveled, matted, or dirty. They will often be hungry and will eagerly accept food. Feral cats, on the other hand, may be cleaner, neater, and will likely be able to fend for themselves.
Over time, stray cats may adapt to living life on their own, but most are still very willing to accept help from humans in the form of food or shelter.
Importance of Spaying and Neutering
Ever wonder where all of these homeless cats came from? Let’s just say uncontrolled breeding. It’s in a cat’s nature to breed and some of them do so frequently. It’s possible for just a couple of cats to be responsible for bringing over two million felines into the world. No wonder there are so many unowned cats on the streets, we just don’t have room for them all.
So, the best way to help control the homeless cat population is to spay and neuter your pets. The before and after effects of spaying or neutering your cat are profound: before the procedure, your unspayed pet cat can easily have unexpected litters, which often end up adding directly to that overwhelming number of strays out there. Plus, they're at higher risk for certain cancers and other health issues. Afterward, these critical risks are either eliminated or greatly reduced. That's why getting all cats spayed or neutered isn't just good for them individually; it's vital for helping control the stray population in our communities.
Assessing the Situation
Not every homeless cat that you meet is going to want or need help. They may actually belong to your neighbor down the street or be feral and untrusting of humans. So, you’ll have to make a judgment call, but don’t worry, we’ll help you determine which way to go from here.
Determining if a Cat Needs Help
From a distance that is comfortable to them, try to first determine if a cat needs your help.
Look for signs of distress or illness. Here’s how to tell if a cat is sick: look for a runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, or if they look skinny or unkempt.
Watch how they respond to you. If they would prefer to keep their distance, it probably means they’ve been fending for themselves for a while and might wish to stay that way. If they come right up to you, they were likely recently lost or abandoned or are simply outdoor cats.
When Intervention is Necessary
If the kitty in question looks fairly healthy and would rather keep their distance, you may just choose to keep an eye out for them in the future and let them be for today. Otherwise, intervention may be necessary.
Young kittens and sick or injured cats are going to need some help. Kittens without a mother may not be able to fend for themselves, and an injured cat will likely need veterinary attention. Sick cats may also need veterinary attention, plus, taking care of them may help prevent others from getting sick as well.
A cat that looks perfectly healthy but doesn’t have any food or shelter may appreciate some help too.
What to Do if You Find a Stray Cat
Many people want to immediately take stray cats to shelters, but there are some steps to take first.
Start by observing their behavior and condition. Do they seem healthy and friendly or are they thin and standoffish?
Check for identification. This could be a collar with tags or a microchip if you have a reader. Some feral cats that have been trapped, neutered, and released will have an ear tip removed.
Use neighborhood resources or social media to locate owners if you believe they have one. You may call local veterinary clinics and shelters to put the word out as well.
When to Leave a Cat Alone
Cats that seem healthy and appear accustomed to living outside will likely be better off left alone, especially if they’re not particularly into making friends with you. If the cat has an ear tipped, it likely means they were deemed feral and have been spayed or neutered and released. If a cat seems particularly unfriendly and you risk injuring yourself by trying to catch them, you'd better leave it to the professionals. In these cases, if the cat appears to need help or needs to be relocated, consider calling a shelter, veterinary clinic, or animal control.
Alternatives to Shelters
Animal shelters can be wonderful and literally lifesaving for many stray cats, but they may not be the answer to every homeless cat problem.
The challenges facing animal shelters are immense. The majority of them are underfunded, meaning they don’t have the space or resources and are typically overcrowded and have to turn animals away. You don’t want to add to their issues if you can help it.
Instead, you may choose to contact the shelter, let them know about the homeless cats in your area, and leave the cats where they are for the time being. Cats that are capable of being rehomed may be removed, while the others may do better in their familiar territory.
Some shelters, veterinary clinics, or other animal welfare organizations run Trap-Neuter-Return programs where they will trap homeless animals, spay or neuter them, and then release them back to where they were caught. This helps ensure that they won’t reproduce and add to the overpopulation problem.
How to Help Homeless Cats
Depending on what the endgame is for the homeless cats in your area, you may need to provide them with temporary or permanent care. This may include:
Providing them with food and water. Leave it out in an area that they frequent but where it won’t be stolen by other critters.
Create a safe shelter. This is especially important if you’re in a cold climate or an area where other animals could cause them harm.
Monitor “your” homeless cats for illness and safety and get them treatment when needed.
The Role of Pet Insurance
Cats are abandoned or surrendered for many reasons, one of which being financial concerns. Unexpected vet visits, pricey specialist consultations, or the ongoing costs of managing a chronic condition can add up quickly and unexpectedly.
This is something that pet insurance for cats can help with. Insurance policies work to cover unexpected injuries or illnesses so that your cat can always get the care they need, and you won't have to stress over vet bills.
And for even more peace of mind, consider adding an optional wellness plan. This way, you don't need to worry about routine costs like vaccinations that cats need and questions like “how much does it cost to microchip a cat?” Essentially, when pet parents can afford the preventative and emergency care their cats require, it significantly helps in preventing accidental litters and the spread of illness, lessening the burden on stray populations.
What to Do with a Stray Cat
Seeing homeless cats in your area can be stressful and heart wrenching, but it’s important to know which outdoor cats need your help and which are better left alone. Animals that are sick, injured, or in danger should receive a helping hand in the form of food, shelter, or veterinary care. Animals that are healthy, safe, and uncertain of humans may do better left to their own devices with a little care when needed.
If you have any questions about the homeless cats in your area, contact your local shelter, animal welfare organization, veterinary clinic, or animal control. We're thankful for compassionate animal lovers like you who are committed to helping stray cats thrive!