How to Care for Stray Cats

No one can raise their hand and say they've never seen a cat on the street. Often alone and abandoned . While there are 7,5 million domestic cats living regularly, well cared for and protected, in Italian homes, there are 2,4 million cats who make do on the streets . This is also thanks to the invaluable help of cat lovers , people who selflessly and passionately care for abandoned or lonely cats. But what should you do when you encounter an abandoned cat? How can we help it? And what are the right moves to be truly helpful? Let's look at them in order.

Index of topics

What to do

Identify the potential owner

The first thing to determine is whether the cat has escaped from a home, abandoned its guardian in a cat colony, or is a long-term stray. To determine this, you need to start looking for a potential owner . First, follow the buzz around the area where you found the cat. Then, ask for information from doormen, building managers, key local services (a tobacconist, a newsagent, a bar, etc.), and the local health authority, which oversees the local veterinarian.

Playing around with social media

Not just Facebook, but also photos on Pinterest and Instagram, all with the same question: "Has anyone lost this cat?" Or "Do you know who this cat might belong to?" Flyers, posted strategically around the neighborhood, with photos and information about the found cat, are also helpful.

First aid

Once ownership of the cat has been clarified, or while waiting to do so, you can provide initial assistance to the feline. It really doesn't take much: feed him a bowl of water and some kibble. If you want to do more, the next step is to take him to the vet, who can also check whether he has a microchip.

The adoption hypothesis

At this point, you can start looking for a possible adoption . Online, you can find several organizations that promote the adoption of stray cats: make the right contacts and see if there's room for this type of solution. It's the best option for the animal, who, thanks to you, could start a second life and find the right owner.

Consult with a cat lady

Cat ladies are found in every neighborhood, in every city, and even in small towns. They operate in two ways: they take care of the cats directly, bringing them food and assistance and providing shelter if and when necessary. Or they know people ready to adopt. Therefore, finding a cat lady means you have a very good chance of finding a home for your stray cat.

How to help stray cats

A stray cat is definitely a cat in need. And beyond the more immediate things you can do, there are other ways to help stray cats. Once you've found a shelter, get involved in adopting them , even remotely (several volunteer organizations that help abandoned cats do this), and perhaps offer your services for fostering, the period between the request and the adoption. Then help feline colonies : they have limited resources and rely heavily on volunteers. A donation or volunteer offer can be helpful. Finally, share your cat on social media: it's the most effective way to find someone willing to care for the abandoned cat.

Is it illegal to feed stray cats?

The law, as is often the case in Italy, is not unequivocal. And it is open to different interpretations. In any case, it's best not to overdo it and always get along with your neighbors, who could assert their rights either through regulations or simply by poisoning the cats you care for. Generally, the law, while not limiting the care of your own pet, restricts the care of a stray cat if it affects the decorum of the building where you live. Dirty dishes on the street , waste on the sidewalk , bad odors , sick cats : these are all reasons for tenants to rebel and block you.

The diseases

Stray cats are much more susceptible to toxoplasmosis , a parasitic disease caused and spread by ingesting rodents and birds. It can be transmitted to humans, but without lethal effects, and is only very dangerous for pregnant women: the infection spreads to the fetus and causes a miscarriage. Other common illnesses among stray cats include fever , vomiting , diarrhea , meningitis , pneumonia , and seizures . Finally, among the diseases that can be transmitted from stray cats to humans is ringworm , which affects the skin with red, circular patches. It is not difficult to treat quickly and effectively.

The shovel

One of the most important things to check, and possibly treat, on a stray cat is the skin. This is the natural barrier between the cat's body and the outside world. It has a fundamental antimicrobial and antibacterial function, as well as secretory functions, and indicates the animal's health and hydration status. Specifically, the following checks should be performed:

Possible bacterial, parasitic or hypersensitivity dermatitis
A careful brushing to eliminate dust and soil
Check for excessive hair loss
Patchy skin, combined with dandruff and itching (the cat scratches and bites itself a lot), may be symptoms of feline ringworm, a fungal infection that can also spread to humans. At this point, veterinary intervention becomes essential.

What do stray cats like?

Stray cats aren't particularly demanding when it comes to food. They definitely need and want water and milk: get a bowl, fill it, and make it available to them. As for food, even for strays, it's best to opt for dry food. If you choose to feed leftovers, remember that your cat's diet should be varied, and make sure there are no fish bones or meat bones among the leftovers.

How to take care of stray cats