Help, I Found a Stray Cat!

gbaker5
Oct 11
3 min read

It can be heartbreaking to see a stray cat—and admirable when you want to help. But the first question to ask is: Does the cat actually need your help?

The answer is: maybe.The cat you found might be:

A neighbor’s pet who is allowed outdoors.
A lost cat whose owners are searching for it.
An abandoned pet.
A community cat—cared for by neighbors but without one clear owner.
A feral cat, who avoids people and doesn’t want to be touched.

Below are step-by-step guidelines to help you determine what to do next—whether that means helping it get safely home, helping to find it a home, or helping it to live as healthy as possible in the community.

Step 1: Observe From a Distance

Before you approach, watch the cat. Does it look healthy? Is its fur clean, and is it at a healthy weight? Does it run from you, or does it seem friendly? These first clues will help you decide how to proceed.

Step 2: If the Cat Is Friendly

Friendly “stray” cats are often just neighborhood pets allowed to roam. Signs of ownership include:

A collar or tag.
Clean, groomed fur.
A healthy body weight.

If the cat seems well cared for, provide food and water if you’d like, but wait a day or two to see if it returns home. If it continues to linger, take these steps:

Check for ID – Look for a collar and tag. Call the number if you find one. Remember: no collar doesn’t always mean no owner.
Search online – Take a good photo and post on Petco Love Lost, a national database for missing pets.
File a found cat report – Contact your local animal shelter with a picture and details. Many shelters maintain a “found pets” list.
Talk to neighbors – Knock on doors and ask if anyone recognizes the cat. Create FOUND PET flyers and post them within a one-mile radius. Include a photo and the location and date found. Petco Love Lost can help you create an easy, eye-catching flyer.
Post on social media – Share the flyer on Nextdoor, local Facebook groups, and vet office bulletin boards. (Avoid Craigslist, where pets are at higher risk of abuse.)
Check for a microchip – Safely place the cat in a secure carrier and bring it to a vet or shelter for a free microchip scan.
If chipped – The vet or shelter will contact the owner or provide you instructions. This is often the fastest way to reunite them.
If not chipped – Decide whether you can foster the cat while waiting for responses. If not, contact your shelter to see if they can accept the cat. The shelter is often the first place an owner will check for their missing cat.

Step 3: If You Can’t Find an Owner

If the owner doesn’t come forward and your shelter won’t take the cat, reach out to local rescue groups in League City and surrounding areas, or Houston area rescues.

When contacting rescues:

Start with an email including the cat’s story (where you found the cat, friendliness, interactions with kids/animals, and what you’ve done so far to help the cat).
Attach plenty of good photos.
Describe any behaviors—both positive and challenging.
Let them know if you can foster temporarily until a space opens up in their organization.

Remember: most rescues are run by volunteers with limited resources. Offering a donation for food, vet care, or supplies will help. Please be patient when waiting for a return call; it might take a few days.

Step 4: If the Cat Is Wary, Injured, or Feral

Wary but not feral – Move slowly, offer food/water, and avoid forcing contact. With patience, you will build trust.
Injured, sick or malnourished – If possible, take the cat to a vet right away. Otherwise, contact Animal Control so it receives care quickly.
Feral – Truly feral cats are not socialized and are unlikely to become house pets. The best way to help is through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).
- Some shelters and rescues loan humane traps and provide guidance.
- Low-cost clinics in the Houston/League City area can spay/neuter ferals.
- If the cat’s ear is “tipped” (the tip of one ear is clipped), it has already been sterilized.

Final Thoughts

Your safety—and the cat’s well-being—should always come first. By observing, reporting, and contacting the right groups, you’re helping:

Lost pets reunite with families.
Friendly, abandoned cats find homes.
Feral cats live healthier lives without adding to the homeless population.

Thank you for taking the time to care for stray cats in your community. Your compassion makes a real difference – it helps save lives!