Stray cats

Thank you for visiting the RSPCA website to find information on how to deal with a cat you have seen in your local area.
 

• Most cats will roam over a wide area, so it may be a good idea to ask around the neighbourhood to see if anyone knows who the cat belongs to.
   
• If the cat is judged to be tame, you can download our simple Paper cat collar with instructions [PDF 148KB].
   
• If the cat is tame and you have the means to safely transport it to your nearest vet, you could have it scanned for a microchip. This is often the quickest and easiest way to locate a potential owner - find a vet.
   
• You can also download and print our Lost and found poster [PDF 27KB] and our Lost and found contacts list [PDF 70KB].
   
• Log what steps you have taken to locate an owner. As long as you can prove that all reasonable steps have been taken, and no owner is found, you can then go about finding a loving new home for the cat.
   
• If you decide to keep the cat, please do ensure that you carefully consider the commitment required. You must be able to provide proper care, accommodation, food and veterinary care for the rest of the cat's life.
   
• If you are not able to keep the cat, please contact your local RSPCA animal centre to see if they can help you with rehoming the cat. You can find your nearest RSPCA by using our search facility.
   
• If your local RSPCA animal centre is full, you may need to contact other reputable organisations. Some of these organisations are listed on our Lost and found contacts list [PDF 70KB].
   

Thank you once more for visiting the RSPCA website and we do hope you are successful in locating the cat's owner.