Have you ever had a new cat show up at your home, business, or feeding station? There’s not a collar on their scruffy neck, but they gobble up what you share.
As you start to think about long-term care for the cat, start with the idea that the kitty may be lost, that they may have a family who is missing them and taking steps to be reunited. You might just be able to be that year-round Santa! Ho, ho, ho! Meowy Cat-mas!
Instead of assuming the cat is abandoned, feral, or dumped by the owner, avoid rehoming a cat until you’ve done a diligent search to find its family as you never know the situation that landed this cat as a regular of yours.
Because a lost cat is in unfamiliar territory, they often appear more disheveled than a feral cat who is in its own domain. Additionally, many cats live outside and should only be scooped up and taken somewhere else if they are ill, injured, or need medical care.
So, how does one go about finding a lost cat owner? First, is your neighbor posting fewer cute #CatsOfTikTok videos? If so, ring their doorbell and ask. It may be theirs!
Secondly, report the kitty as a found cat in every possible venue: Facebook neighborhood and local lost and found groups, NextDoor feeds, and even with the #BastropTX hashtag on Instagram and Twitter.
Notify local vets and animal control as people will often call around to them when they are searching for their missing pets. This is also a good time to ask vets about scanning the lost cat for a microchip. Most vets and shelters will scan found cats for free.
Post flyers in local businesses near your home and highly visible signs in the neighborhood. Make sure to include specific information about when and where the cat was found and clear pictures.
If you get any leads, make sure you follow-up with them. Call, text, or message back as soon as you are able. If it’s a happy match, don your red winter coat (or a red t-shirt since this is Texas!), and hitch up your reindeer, because you get to play Santa Claws! Congratulations, you get to witness, first hand, a happy reunion story!