When walking around our neighborhoods, it's common to see cats outside. Some of these wandering felines have homes and are just out for a bit. Cue the obligatory 'Not all who wander are lost' Lord of the Rings reference. While others are missing the safety and comfort of their cozy cat beds and loving humans. Still others are community cats that everyone looks after.
When considering how best to assist a community cat, it's vital to understand that animal shelters may not provide the most positive solution, especially for those that are truly feral and lack socialization with humans. Shelters will often view community cats as unadoptable, and as a result, community cats are not made available for public adoption.
Through education and advocacy, emphasizing the benefits of keeping pet cats indoors can play a crucial role in safeguarding their health and protecting local wildlife.
The Action Plan: What to Do When You Find a Cat
Collar Check: Do you spot a collar? Look for an ID tag and reach out to the owner immediately.
Neighborhood Engagement: Engage in conversations with your neighbors, mail carriers, and fellow local walkers.
Photo Documentation and Found Reports: Capture and share a photo with local animal shelters.
Flyer Campaign: Get creative with old-fashioned flyers in your area. Remember, a picture can convey a thousand meows!
Social Media Sleuthing: Use platforms like Facebook, NextDoor, and others to broaden your search.
Microchip Magic: If the cat is approachable, consider visiting the vet or shelter to check for a microchip. Alternatively, create a DIY collar with your contact information using the paper collar trick.
Cat Mapping: Assist owners by guiding them to the cat's last known location.
Rethink Free-Roaming: Suggest indoor living for the cat's safety and to protect small mammal and birds.
Sterilized Community Cat: Help caretakers by offering food and shelter.
Unsterilized Community Cat: Get involved with trap-neuter-return programs. Visit humanesociety.org/TNRindividuals for more information.
Nursing Mom and Kittens: Seek specialized care and advice at https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-if-you-find-kittens
The Reality of Missing Cats
Did you know that 1 in 3 pets in America will go missing at some point in their lives? According to the American Humane Association, the reality is even more heartbreaking for cats: less than 5% of lost cats are ever reunited with their owners through shelters. This staggering statistic highlights the importance of microchipping, safe outdoor practices, and community awareness to help bring more cats back home.
Specialized Resources for Lost and Found Cats
PawBoost: This handy database alerts local pet finders and shelters about lost and found pets.
PetFBI (Pet Finders Bureau, Inc.): A comprehensive platform for lost and found pets across the U.S.
Tabby Tracker: A network for matching lost and found cats.
Lost My Kitty: Services include flyer generation and alerts to local vets and shelters.
Petfinder: A searchable directory of animals needing homes, including a feature for found pets.
ASPCA: Provides a tool to search for local animal shelters and rescue organizations.
AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool: Check a pet's microchip number across different databases.