found cat what to do

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How to Tell the Difference Between a Lost and Feral Cat

Half of Lost Cats Are Indoor-Only—Don’t Assume Every Outdoor Cat Is Feral

To read on Substack: https://thekindlife.substack.com/

When people see a cat outdoors, it’s not uncommon to assume that the cat is feral rather than lost. Contrary to popular belief, almost half of lost cats are indoor-only pets. Of the approximate 80 million “owned” cats in the US, estimates are that up to one-third of them go missing at some point, and a quarter of those of lost cats are never reunited with their families.

It can be difficult initially to tell the difference between a lost cat and a feral one, because both are likely to be wary. Here are some tips to help you to tell the difference, and what then to do.

Lost cat:

  • Might meow—feral cats (except kittens) do not meow. They often live in fear and do not meow to avoid detection by predators
  • May be skittish initially but may come to tolerate being approached and/or may seek out human help/contact
  • May hang out near houses because they are familiar locales
  • May be friendly, as the cat has socialized with humans at some point
  • Is alone (feral cats can be part of a community of feral cats)
  • The fur may appear dirty or ungroomed
  • Is diurnal—out during the day because they have adopted human schedules

Feral cat:

  • Does not meow at humans
  • Is hypervigilant, skittish, and unfriendly and/or takes a long time to become trusting
  • Is more likely to be nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
  • May have an ear tip clipped (if they were trapped and spayed/neutered at some point)

What to do for a lost cat:

  • Provide water and food, and provide shelter in cold weather
  • Lure it inside or trap it, take it to a local animal shelter* or ask them to pick it up, or have your vet or a shelter scan the cat for a chip
  • Assess whether it is sick or injured; if so, call your local animal shelter for help
  • Check on ‘missing cats’ online boards and advertise “found cat” with photo and location on: https://www.pawboost.com https://nextdoor.com https://www.facebook.com as well as on telephone polls, etc.

What to do for a feral cat:

  • Life is rough for feral cats—they generally live only two to three years. Provide water, food, and shelter
  • Cats were originally desert animals and do not fare well in cold weather. Provide shelter to reduce their suffering. Here are some easy options:Build a shelter: how to build a cat-friendly shelter for ferals • how to build an outdoor shelter for cats Buy a shelter: Elevated cat shelter
  • Consider TNR (trap, neuter, release) if the cat is healthy and well-fed (if not, trapping and euthanasia is infinitely kinder)
  • Assess whether it is sick or injured; if so, call your local animal shelter for help

Compassion in Action:

To find your local animal shelter, go to: https://www.chewy.com/g/animal-shelters-and-rescues

https://thekindlife.substack.com/

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