I live in an apartment complex and have seen a cat in the parking lot a few times. I'm not 100% sure he's a stray but yesterday he walked right up to me as I was getting out of my car. I think he's a stray because he was extremely skinny and some kids that were out told me he was. I tried to give him some food and he ate a little but was more interested in getting petted by me. He was really friendly and very sweet. Looks to be a couple of years old. Now I'm worried about him. I saw him again this morning in the parking lot. I already have four cats and really can't take in another cat. But I do want to help him if I can. I feel like I should do something but I'm not 100% sure he doesn't belong to somebody. Should I ask around my apartment complex and see if anyone knows if he has an owner? Or should I just try to take him to a shelter? I've already gotten kind of attached to him and just don't want to see anything bad happen to him. Especially when he already looks so skinny and the weather is getting colder. What would you do?
rick2009-11-06T10:50:30Z
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I would say that someone moved away and left him behind. We got out third cat that way. a car slowed down and threw him out the window on their way out. We named him hobo and he sits on my belly while I sit in my chair. Anyway if you are sure he is a stray just take him in. If you take him to a shelter he will get put down.
First, get him off the streets. He'll be much better off living in your bathroom for a couple days while you figure out what to do next. Be sure to keep him away from your other cats, using different food, water and litter in case he has any health issues.
After you get him in, take a picture of him and put up a few flyers in the neighborhood with contact information. Call local vets and shelters, give them the description of the cat to see if anyone has come in looking for him. You can check craigslist for lost pet notices. If no one contacts you, I'd recommend taking him to a local no-kill shelter. There are usually several in every county, just be sure it's a no-kill shelter before you surrender him. After I'd say keep the flyers up for a couple weeks so you can let anyone who contacts you know what shelter you took him to.
Also, if someone does come to claim him, try your best to be sure it's the cats actual owners, there are some sick people out there.
If possible take him into the vet to be tested for any diseases that could be spread to your kitties. If he is clear why not take him in for a bit.. fatten him up from his skinny state and post found posters all over. Make sure to ask people claiming to be the owners a couple questions such as the sex of the cat and some physical feature to make sure they really ARE the owners and not someone looking for a free cat.
If no owners show up... I suppose you could consider another cat for your group of four! :) If that is not an option.. rehome him yourself with people you feel will treat him well!
Shelters in my area have cat euthinasia rates that depress me.
I work for a non-profit no-kill shelter, i would suggest either keeping him, taking him to a local vets office that offers an adoption program, or taking him to a no-kill animal shelter. the humane society has a waiting list, as well as the aspca. you can find a non profit no kill shelter near you using rescources such as www.petfinder.com or ask your local vets office. if you do take him in then make sure to have him checked out by a vet asap to reduce chances of disease in your apartment like feline leukemia, rabies, etc. chances are that someone dropped him off. there have been many animals abandoned from foreclosures or other financial problems.
shelters are overcrowded,our local shelter is euthanising after 2 days.the recession has led to many abandoned dogs/cats as people lose their jobs,income and homes.4 out of 5 cats are killed in our local shelter.dont take him there.feed him.check if a trap/neuter/return group will have him neutered.see if any of ur friends want him.also,put uip posters around ur complex.my abyssinian was once taken in by someone who thought she was a skinny stray-abbys tend to be petite,she was healthy just not rotund as many cats tend to be.this may be someones cat! if no one will take him,continue feeding him,.maybe someone else at the complex will take him in.not true that ferals necessarily live short lives.i work in a trap/neuter return group.one of our feral colony recently died-at the age of 16 !!!!!!!!!!! if u leave him outside for now,u have time to try to find a home for him.take him to a shelter and he'll be gone in days.most no-kill shelters are filled up this year.as the economy is down,people lose the means to care for pets,sadly,record numbers have been abandoned in the last 2 years.