Need Help With a Found Cat?
You've come to the right place. We have all the fast facts and best strategies. Cats are particularly at-risk at shelters due to stress of confinement and being near people, and thus stress induced illness. Additionally, cats without identification found outdoors are rarely reclaimed from shelters (0.5% or less) - likely because most of these cats are Community Cats. Healthy, spayed/neutered cats found outdoors are actually MORE LIKELY to make their way back home on their own (over 60% return rate).
Tip: Waco is a Community Cat-friendly/humane city. Our local, legal definition of a Community Cat is any free-roaming cat, regardless of socialization or sociability, cared for by one or more known or unknown residents of the immediate area. Community Cats may be friendly, unsocial, or various shades of in between. Most importantly, outdoors IS their home.
Cats Found Outdoors without ID
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If the cat can be safely handled, it may be checked for identification/microchip. Please NEVER handle a kitten or cat found outdoors who is fearful. You may follow these instructions to use a paper collar as one method to check in with neighbors.
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If no identification is found, the vast majority of these cats are Community Cats. Outdoors is their home. The local shelter is not legally allowed to accept healthy cats who are found outdoors (regardless if friendly or not) as these fit the definition of a Community Cat. However, these cats can be taken through a process called Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).
Cats Found Wearing a Collar or Microchipped and/or Appear Ill or Injured
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Please follow our suggestions under I Have Found a Dog. First, check in with your neighbors to see if they recognize the cat. Indoor cats found outdoors are usually close to home. Cats are more likely to find their way back to their homes through avenues that do not include a shelter.