It’s the middle of kitten season.. and you find a stray kitten(s) or cats and have checked with every local shelter and rescue and they are full. So what do you do now? Here’s some tips if you find yourself in this situation.
I Found A Cat or Kitten: Now What?
Finding a stray cat or kitten can be a mix of joy, concern, and uncertainty, especially if you already have pets.
If the cat or kitten seems distressed being outdoors as if they’re not used to it or you find a lone kitten or kittens without a mother – it may be best to bring it inside. If you find a tiny kitten, please check and see if it’s mom is nearby before taking it in. Here’s a good “quiz” to help you determine what to do: https://www.aspca.org/helpin…/i-found-kittens-what-do-i-do
If you find a kitten that is in distress and needs to be bottle fed, please see this website, it’s a great resource! http://www.kittenlady.org/kitten-care
If the cat or kitten is older and you decide the best course of action is to bring it indoors, here are some key steps you need to follow to ensure the health, safety, and future well-being of your new furry friend:
Quarantine from Other Pets
First things first, it’s vital to isolate the new kitty from your existing pets. This minimizes the risk of spreading potential diseases or causing unnecessary stress:
Provide a separate, comfortable space like a spare room or bathroom for the kitten/cat.
Give them their own litter box, food and water dishes. Clean/sanitize items before re-use with another pet.
The standard quarantine period is 14 days but we’ve found that sometimes it’s best to wait up to 22 days, especially if the cat/kitten came from outside. The reason behind this is that some parasites, skin issues, and illnesses commonly found in stray cats may not show up in vet exams or tests at the beginning of the quarantine period or even after 14 days of quarantine.
Wear gloves while handling and/or wash your hands before and after handling the found cat or kitten and their supplies to avoid spreading parasites/illnesses/diseases.
Gradually introduce them to your existing pets only after the end of the quarantine period and after they’ve been cleared by the vet.
You almost want to determine if the cat is simply lost. If it’s very friendly, it may have an owner looking for it. Post on local and regional lost/found pet social media groups and lost/found pet websites. Be sure to include a general description of where the cat was found and a photo. Bring it to your local vet or shelter and have it scanned for a microchip. If someone claims it, be sure to ask for photo evidence, vet records, and ask questions only they would
Know about the cat (sex, if it was found with a collar, spay/neuter status, etc). If none of these things help you find the cat or kittens owner, it may have been abandoned.
Vet Visit and Necessary Testing
Taking your newly found cat or kitten to the vet is a non-negotiable step. Here are some essential tests and procedures your vet might recommend:
A fecal test to check for internal parasites.
A complete set of vaccinations, which might include FVRCP and rabies. Please check with your vet for vaccines schedule for young kittens.
SNAP testing to screen for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). These diseases are not death sentences so please do full research before testing and make a plan for how you will handle a positive result if it happens.
Lastly, arranging for spay or neuter surgery. This will prevent any unwanted kittens in the future and can also prevent some health and behavior issues.
If you don’t have the money to vet your found cat or kitten – check with your vet and see if they offer discounts for strays. There are also a few fundraising sites you can use to help raise funds to help your new friend. Sometimes, it takes a village!
Fundraising sites:
– Some vets will even allow donations to be called in directly. Please check with your vet first!
Posting for Adoption on Facebook
If you can’t keep the cat or kitten long-term, you can use social media to find a loving home:
Take clear and attractive photos of the cat or kitten. Capture their personality!
Write an honest and appealing description. Include their story, any known health information, and their likes and dislikes.
Share the post in local community or pet-related Facebook groups. (See comments for local list for Southeast Texas.)
Rehoming Fee
It’s common and recommended to ask for a rehoming fee. This helps ensure that the cat or kitten is going to a home that is prepared for the financial responsibility of pet ownership. It can also help you re-coup any funds spent on vetting.
Vet Reference Checks and Interview
To ensure the cat is getting a safe and loving home, you should:
Ask potential adopters for a vet reference and call to verify.
Don’t be shy about asking plenty of questions. You need to know the home environment, other pets, past pet ownership, and how they plan to care for the cat.
Remember, your goal is to find a loving, forever home for your newfound feline friend. It’s okay to be thorough and take your time in this process. 