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How to Help a Stray Cat

 Most of us have encountered a stray cat. The best way to help a stray would be if you or someone you know could possibly home the cat. However, here are a few things you could possibly do in the beginning:


1. Feed the cat if possible. Sometimes there are regulations or laws against feeding stray animals so make yourself aware of that possibility.

2. Water bowl for the cat, if possible.

3. Most cats are shy in the beginning so don't try and capture the cat. Kittens will often approach you and could be retrieved. 

4. Some cats may want to get familiar with you before they trust you. This could take months. The cat may avoid you for a long time and then one day walk up to you and want you to pick it up and take it home.

5. If you take the cat, it will need to visit a vet for it to receive rabies and other shots and possibly other preventative treatments including spay or neuter. 

6. If a cat appears injured and is acting aggressive, and has been living in the wild, there is the possibility of rabies so you should not approach or handle the cat. 

7. If there is more than one stray cat in the area there is the possibility the cats multiplying at a fairly rapid pace. This is one reason why some neighbors and businesses do not encourage caring for stray cats. 

8. if you have to call animal control you could arrange to visit the shelter no later than the next day and determine if the cat is healthy and can be adopted. The shelter will likely immunize the cat and for a small fee you should be able to adopt it from the shelter before it is euthanized. 

9. If a cat appears well-cared for and may be lost, it could have a chip and if you do not have a chip reader which is available for purchase online, then a vet should be able to check at no cost. You can also post in lost and found applications to try and find the owner.  Take pictures of the cat and possibly post online. If this fails then you may want to keep the cat yourself. 

10. When first handling a  stray cat who you have never handled before, it is usually best to pick it up from the back of the neck and move your arm away from your body. It might look cruel but it does not hurt the cat and it protects you from possibly scratching or biting. 

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