Stray cat - what's the best thing to do?

judgefudge

Hey, so my cat recently got chased into my house by a stray that has been frequenting the area. The stray got somewhat scared and trapped in a room in my house, afraid to leave. Eventually with coaxing and a little food I managed to get him/her to let me pick them up and bring them back out.

It was quite a sweet cat though and looked a little patchy and battered. It has been hanging around the estate for months. Obviously I can't take it in as my cat doesn't get along with it, but I was just wondering what the best thing to do here is?

I asked my mother and she said to just leave it alone and not let it anywhere near again. But is it not best to ring a shelter? Or try to catch it and bring it? Is there something in particular I should do?

Pumpkinseeds

Ah, don't ignore puss. No offence to you mum, but so many Irish people think that way and there is an epidemic of unwanted cats and kittens starving to death in this country. I'd feed the cat and get in touch with local rescues in your area to see if they can help. We have 2 males that both strayed in to the house over the last 6 years and a 3rd that just adopted us over the past few months, he only moved indoors with us on Monday. We're also feeding another stray male that's been showing up since Toby, our latest addition arrived.

It's not easy at the moment and I didn't think our cat Felix would have accepted any other cats but he has, he's not thrilled about it though.

missmyler

Don't ignore the cat. How would you feel if your own cat strayed and was ignored by everyone that it went to for food.

Ring a rescue and get some advice. They are inundated at the moment but still should be able to advise how you can help the poor cat.

We also had a stray move outside our house the other day. Couldn't get near him at first and now today he is sleeping beside me. They come around pretty quickly if you are patient with them

judgefudge

He doesn't really hang around my house in particular, he's around the estate a good bit and attacks the neighbourhood cats. I'm definitely not going to be able to take him in but I may leave some food out and see if he's around. I'll get in touch with an animal foundation. I just know so many people who ignore stray cats, I didn't know whether that's what you do or what!

Pumpkinseeds

judgefudge wrote: »

He doesn't really hang around my house in particular, he's around the estate a good bit and attacks the neighbourhood cats. I'm definitely not going to be able to take him in but I may leave some food out and see if he's around. I'll get in touch with an animal foundation. I just know so many people who ignore stray cats, I didn't know whether that's what you do or what!

Ignoring stray cats is the worst thing to do. It's hungry and fighting with other cats for food. If it's an un-neutered male it'll be fighting for females too. I don't know why so many people think it's ok to just leave stray cats to fend for themselves, some things haven't changed since my childhood. I'm glad to hear you're going to get him some help and feed him.

If you feed him it'll make it easier for a rescue to trap him as he'd be hanging around more and there are so many kittens this year that rescues are run off their feet trying to keep up with them and the strays and ferals. If only more people tried to help the strays in their neighbourhoods life would be a lot better for cats.

fro9etb8j5qsl2

judgefudge wrote: »

He doesn't really hang around my house in particular, he's around the estate a good bit and attacks the neighbourhood cats. I'm definitely not going to be able to take him in but I may leave some food out and see if he's around. I'll get in touch with an animal foundation. I just know so many people who ignore stray cats, I didn't know whether that's what you do or what!

If he's attacking other cats then chances are he's unneutered. I'm having a similar problem at the moment with a local stray in my area. In limerick, there's a group called Limerick Feral Cats<snip> will come out and trap and neuter a stray if you promise to feed it for the rest of its life. Maybe there's an organisation like that in your area? Have you checked the local lost and found to see if anyone is missing him?

judgefudge

I will put out a bit of grub in the morning and see what happens there is another neighbour cat though that is permanently outdoor so there's no way to be sure that she won't just eat it!

But he did seem like a sweet little thing so it would be nice to help him. Also, my cat is originally from a shelter so I know I'm thankful somebody brought him somewhere safe!

judgefudge

I'll get in touch with <snip> anyway. I checked lost and found. It's not a hugely distinctive cat (all black) but I didn't see any ads that fit. I've left some food out anyway so hopefully he becomes friendly enough that I can bring him to a vet or shelter to get checked over. Poor mite

KatyMac

I have 3 cats all if which strayed in and stayed! Did have another (stray) one but she got into the engine of my car and I didn't know. When I stopped in the middle of a big(ish) town she dropped out from under the car and was gone like a bat out of hell. Hope someone took her in.
I also have 2 dogs that were dumped near my house - one 5 years ago and the other was a tiny pup when he was left on the roadside about 2 years ago. I have never had to buy or look for a pet they have always arrived on my doorstep and each and every one of them are loveable and love us!

judgefudge

Out if interest do you check them for a microchip before you take them in? I live in fear of my cat escaping and someone adopting him without checking if he belongs to anyone!

anniehoo

judgefudge wrote: »

It's not a hugely distinctive cat (all black) but I didn't see any ads that fit. I've left some food out anyway so hopefully he becomes friendly enough that I can bring him to a vet or shelter to get checked over. Poor mite

Judgefudge, I am sorry that I've had to snip rescue names and it genuinely isn't because this forum isn't helpful. As per our forum charter we can't be seen to be biased or unbiased towards any particular rescue or welfare organisation.

You are doing an amazing service to this cat and I would urge you to try your best to catch him. He may not be distinctive, but one of my friends has been searching for her "all black" cat who is microchipped for over a year.

Cat's are notoriously difficult sometimes to win around, but persistance on our behalf often wins out. It sounds like he is surviving as best he can and if he's unneutered, it's pretty much a battlefield out there with other unneutered males.

Please feel free to PM (private message) anyone here if you need advice. You sound like such a caring person and maybe JUST maybe, this beautiful kitty has a microchip and will find his way home soon

pawrick

Do a search on facebook - there are numerous animal charity groups some specialising in cats which will put you in touch with anyone doing Trap Neuter and Return (TNR) near your area. If the cat is suitable they may even be able to find it a new home.
Just search for terms such as feral cats and a few will pop up. Neutering reduces to a certain amount the aggressiveness of the cat, they should also be able to check it for a microchip before any procedure to ensure it's not some ones pet.

salsagal

Hi, OP if ur based in Dublin, can you pm me. I volunteer for a rescue and do TNR. We can work out a plan to neuter the cat. That'll stop him from fighting with the other cats for territory and females.

judgefudge

Thanks for all the advice guys I haven't seen him/her since I last posted but I've left food out. I suspect my neighbours cat maybe helping herself to that though

My cat escaped while I was at work yesterday and didnt come back for 12 hours. As an indoor cat I was fairly worried and my biggest worry was that nobody would care enough to take him and get him checked (he's microchipped). So that whole experience has definitely made me feel that gettin the cat to a shelter is the best option. I'll continue trying to feed him anyway. I'm in the Kildare area so I'll also check out the options!