What to do When You Spot a Stray Cat

You’ve seen one or more cats scrounging for food and want to help them, but don’t know where to start. The most helpful thing you can do for the cat(s) is to trap them and bring them to an organization like Meow-Aid. Here they will be spayed or neutered, checked for any diseases and a decision will be made whether to re-release them in the area where they were trapped, or kept and adopted out once they have come to trust human companions.

A feral cat has a life expectancy of ONLY 2 years and since they are not native to Canada, all stray or feral cats were either a former house pet, or a descendent of one. They will not survive for very long on their own and require us to shed our indifference and help them. We’re glad you have taken the first step.

The next step would be for you to research various organizations to ensure that you have some place to take the cat/kitten once you have safely caught them. DO NOT show up unexpectedly on the door of any organization with an animal since you don’t know if they have space for them at that time. They will also ask you all sorts of questions about the stray to ensure you are not trapping someone’s cat that may be out on their daily pass. Please don’t be offended, they are only doing what they think is best for the cat.

So how do you get a trap, you ask? You might think of purchasing a humane trap. If you don’t care to keep it, it would be an ideal item to donate to rescuers. Canadian Tire sells a large one for around $60, that will trap a raccoon or large cat. The smallest trap, which is for trapping a squirrel or small kitten, is about $30. If you don’t want to buy one, contact your area shelters to see if you can borrow one with a refundable deposit.

These traps are scary looking things to a hungry scared cat. To entice the kitty to enter the trap, you will most likely need to bait the trap with food, placed as far from the closing door as possible. No one wants the trap to hurt the cat, only for the door to completely close behind them after entry. Do not try to remove the cat from the trap yourself, leave them inside for the more experienced to deal with. As soon as possible, cover the trap with a blanket or towel to reduce the stress and trauma of the cat. Take them as soon as possible to the organization you have made the previous arrangements with so they can be treated immediately. (Tip: Place newspapers in your car to absorb any bodily fluids released during their trip. This is so frightening for them, they may have an accident, don’t be upset with them, just be prepared.)

Important!:
If the organization is unavailable at the time you have trapped the stray, place the cage in a safe and quiet room, garage, etc., where it can relax and not be frightened by anything, until the time comes to move the cat.

Now a few things to ponder:

Please don’t assume just because they are outside, they are wild. There are many stories about cats that were unapproachable outside but when trapped and brought indoors, reverted to being lovely pet cats.

Resist the urge to relocate cats. Don’t think they are better off somewhere else. A cat knows his territory and has been able to find food and shelter. Moving him will probably condemn the cat to a slow death by starvation.

Don’t assume that feeding them is helping them.

It is only helpful IF —

• you are prepared to continue feeding them for the rest of their lives.

• Cats do become dependent upon their food source. To feed a cat for a little while and then take the food away is cruel. People may mean well when they start to feed but circumstances (i.e. moving away) can get in the way. If you feed strays and are unable to continue, please find someone to pick up where you leave off. This is extremely important!

Cats who are well fed and in reasonable health are more likely to breed. They MUST be spayed and neutered or else the population will grow out of control in a very short time.

Please contact us for more information BEFORE you proceed.