Found a cat? What to do next
When we spot cats, they’re often local pets doing the rounds. Sometimes, however, we may find a lost cat strayed far from home, or a stray cat who lost their home long ago.
On this page, you’ll learn how to identify a lost, stray, feral, or farm cat, and what you can do to help if you find a cat that’s sick, injured, in danger, or simply looking to get home.
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Has a cat been in a road accident?
If you’ve spotted a cat that’s injured, in a dangerous location or at risk of harm – and you’re able to safely get to them – take them to a vet immediately. Otherwise, find out what to do if you’ve hit a cat with your car, witnessed a cat being hit by a car or have found a cat with severe injuries.
First steps
What to do if you find a cat
If you’ve found a cat and you’re unsure if they’re owned and lost, stray, feral or a farm cat, here’s how to find out:
- Check for a collar: Calmly approach the cat and, if you’re able to, look for a collar to find the owner’s contact details. However, not all owned cats wear a collar, so don’t take the absence of one as a definite sign that the cat is a stray or unowned.
- Ask around locally: If they don't have a collar, ask your neighbours if they recognise the cat. Cats tend to roam over a wide area and can sometimes be mistaken for strays even when they have owners. You can also call your local RSPCA centre or branch, other local rescue and rehoming centres, animal shelters and Cat’s Protection to see if anyone has reported their cat as missing to them.
- Contact a vet: Owners may have reported their missing cat to local vets. They may advise you to bring the cat in (if you’re able and it’s safe) to scan their microchip, or loan out a microchip scanner to you. In England, owners are legally required to microchip their cat if they’re older than 20 weeks. Find out how to help if you’ve found kittens or cats younger than 20 weeks below.
- Check online: Look on local lost and found pet groups to see if anyone is searching for the cat, as well as on Facebook groups local to your area.
- Advertise the cat: Create, print and share posters around your area, or post about the cat on social media. If they have an owner, hopefully it’ll reach them.
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Register them on Animal Search UK: Create a profile, upload photos and if anybody is missing the cat, they can search for them here.
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Observe their appearance: Stray and feral cats may look scruffier and thinner than owned cats. This isn’t a definite indicator that they don’t have an owner, but something to take note of.
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Observe their behaviour: Feral cats and some strays may not be used to human interactions, so may hiss or retreat entirely if you approach them. However, some stray cats may also be friendly, while some lost pet cats may be afraid of people – these also aren’t definite indicators.
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Contact us for advice if you have concerns for the cat’s welfare: Ring us on 0300 123 8960 or report your concern, especially if you think they may have been intentionally abandoned.
- Take them to a vet: If they're approachable, contain them and take them to a vet. Find out how to safely pick up and transport a cat here (and learn more about moving cats in road accidents). If the vet assesses that the cat just needs minimum care, you might be expected to take the cat away after they’ve been treated. Return them to where you found them and fit a paper collar if needed.
- Find out if they have an owner: The vet will check for a microchip, and if they have an owner, contact them to let them know where their cat is. If they don’t, contact your local RSPCA rescue centre or branch, animal shelter, other rescue centres or cat charity to see if they can help.
- Contact us for advice: Ring us on 0300 123 8960 or report your concern, and we’ll get the cat the help they need.
If you find a cat that appears sick, injured or in danger:
It can be hard to tell if a cat is stray, is owned and roaming, a farm cat, or living as a feral. Find the definitions of each, and what to do if you find one, below.
If the cat is in a dangerous location contact us on 0300 123 8960 – don’t risk yourself trying to save the cat.
Cats can be strong, intelligent and independent – many live well without much help from us. However, when they're sick, injured, in danger or lost we should do all we can to help them.
If the cat is in immediate danger or severely injured, but they won’t let you close enough to catch them, ring us on 0300 123 8960.
If they appear poorly or in poor condition but it doesn’t appear to be critical, call your local vet, RSPCA rescue centre or branch or cat charity, such as Cats Protection, to borrow a humane cat trap.
Found a lost cat
A lost cat is an owned cat that’s gone missing. They have an owner (who’s actively looking for them) and a home, but are unable to get back.
To find out if the cat is lost and not stray, feral or a farm cat, check to see if the cat:
- Has a collar: Not all owned cats wear collars, but many do, and most have their owner’s contact details on.
- Looks healthy: If their coat is shiny, their eyes and ears are clear and clean, they’re a healthy weight (you can’t see their ribs), and they look cared for, they probably have an owner.
- Is friendly with you: If the cat doesn’t run away when you approach (do so carefully and calmly), isn’t afraid or even comes over to you, they may have an owner. However, stray cats can also be cautiously friendly, so an affectionate cat isn’t a sure sign they’re owned – and some lost cats may be nervous and more flighty if they’re in unfamiliar territory (for example, a cat that is used to living indoors that has escaped).
If you find a lost cat – or you’re unsure whether the cat is lost, stray, feral or a farm cat – follow the advice above. If the cat appears sick or injured, get them to the vet as soon as possible and try to contact the owner.
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Stray cats usually began as pet cats – at some point they had an owner and typically lived in a home – but are now free-living. This can be a result of abandonment or they may have been lost cats who were never found or able to return home.
‘Free-living’ means that stray cats spend a lot of time outdoors – and some can adapt well to the freedom of that lifestyle. However, without somebody responsible helping to keep them safe and well-fed, they can end up with injuries, illness or health problems.
Stray cats are often:
- Fairly thin: As they don’t have access to regular meals or a complete diet.
- Scruffy and unkempt: Due to living outside in all weathers.
- Cautious around people: Some stray cats may approach you and even be friendly, especially if they have previously lived with people, while others may be afraid and keep their distance. Stray cats may become friendlier over time as they learn to trust you.
- Injured or sick: Such as injuries from fighting other cats or animals (especially if they’re unneutered), road accidents or the effects of living outside. Eye infections are common in stray and feral cats.
Sometimes cats with owners can be mistaken for strays. And some strays may still be reunited with a long-lost owner, if they had one. Try to locate the owner of any cat you find, as it’s difficult to initially distinguish a lost cat from a stray.
If you find a stray cat – or you’re unsure whether the cat is lost, stray, feral or a farm cat – follow the advice above. If the cat appears sick or injured, try to get them safely to the vet as soon as possible.
However, not all cats will let you near them. If the cat is in immediate danger or severely injured, but you aren’t able to capture them, ring us on 0300 123 8960. If they appear poorly but not critical, call your local vet, RSPCA rescue centre or cat charity, such as Cats Protection, to borrow a humane cat trap, allowing you to safely capture the cat and take them to the vet. They’ll advise you on how to use it.
At the RSPCA, we have many cats who were previously strays in our centres, each awaiting a loving lap to curl up into. They deserve a taste of the good life – with you, they could have a great one. Meet our rescue cats here.
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A feral cat is a cat that’s never had a traditional home or owner, and instead was born and lives outside. They haven’t been socialised to humans and are essentially living as wild animals.
Finding a feral cat, or colony of feral cats, outside is normal – they’re not lost or abandoned and may have someone providing them with food, water, shelter and necessary healthcare. However, it isn’t always easy to tell if they’re feral, lost, stray or a farm cat.
To identify a feral cat, look out for these signs:
Wary of people: Feral cats are usually very frightened of people, avoiding interaction wherever possible, having not been raised around people.
Illness or injury: Such as injuries from fighting other cats or animals (especially if they’re unneutered), road accidents or the effects of living outside. Eye infections are common in feral and stray cats.
A healthy build: Having lived outside their whole lives, feral cats are active and skilled, used to hunting for their meals. This means they may be of a healthy weight and muscular.
A tidy coat: Despite sleeping out in dirty conditions, feral cats can keep themselves regularly groomed like house cats do.
Tipped ears: If a feral cat has been caught as part of a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) scheme (the process of bringing in feral cats for neutering before returning them to where they were found, to manage the population of feral cats and kittens) they may have the tip of their ear cut off to show they’ve been neutered.
Location: Feral cats tend to stay away from houses and to stay in one area long-term.
If you’ve found a feral cat or colony that appears healthy – leave them alone. They’re not used to human contact, so trying to approach, pet or pick them up can cause them great stress and put you at risk of injury. Feral cats may not adapt to living as most pet cats would (they aren’t socialised to humans and are used to the freedom of living wild), so resist the temptation to try to ‘rescue’ them or bring them indoors. It may seem like the kind thing to do, but can actually have a detrimental impact on their welfare.
If you’ve found a feral cat that appears sick or injured, contact your local vet for advice – they may loan you a humane cat trap to bring them into the vet if it isn’t an emergency. Don’t try to pick up a feral cat. If the cat is in immediate danger or severely injured, ring us on 0300 123 8960.
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A farm cat is similar to a pet cat – they belong to people and a place – but they live outside, usually on a farm or agricultural properties, in similar conditions to a feral cat. They can be considered semi-feral or feral cats, and aren’t suited to an indoor lifestyle.
Farm cats often have access to shelter, and may even be provided with regular meals. Depending on their beginnings, some farm cats may be fearful of people, having had little to no human socialisation, while others may be comfortable around and even affectionate towards people.
Farm cats have different needs to pet cats, but many in our care are still looking for secure and stable environments to call home. Learn more about farm cat adoption here.
Found a pregnant cat or kittens
If you’ve found a pregnant cat, or one you think is pregnant (a pregnant cat will usually have a large belly, but appear a normal weight everywhere else), a cat in labour, a cat with kittens, or kitten on their own, follow this advice:
Found a pregnant cat
- If the cat appears healthy: Leave her alone. If you think she may be a lost or stray cat, however, follow the advice above.
- If the cat is sick or injured: Contact a vet. They may ask you to check her for injury. Try not to press forcefully down on her stomach, to avoid causing harm.
- If the cat is in a dangerous location: Contact us on 0300 123 8960. Don’t risk yourself trying to save the cat.
Found a cat in labour
- Give her space: Avoid disturbing her as this can cause unnecessary stress to her and her kittens.
- Try to locate her owner: If you can't find the owner, call a local animal rescue centre for advice on what to do when the kittens arrive.
- Place a shallow bowl of water nearby: Do so without disturbing her, staying a good distance away.
- Provide shelter: Place shelter nearby to keep her and the kittens shaded from the sun and sheltered from cold winds and rain.
- Keep an eye on her: Regularly check on the cat, but avoid disturbing her as this could cause unnecessary problems for the kittens.
Many cats give birth without needing any help at all, but signs she may be having difficulty include:
- Straining but no kitten: If between 30 and 60 minutes of intense straining she doesn't produce a kitten, or a kitten seems to be stuck, she may need help. Contact a vet for guidance.
- She seems stressed: If the mother cat seems to be noticeably distressed, something may be wrong.
- There’s heavy bleeding: If she seems lethargic, has passed an unpleasant discharge or is bleeding heavily from her vulva, this may indicate an issue (however, green, brown or red discharge while the kittens are being born is normal).
If you see any of these signs, or the cat and kittens are in a dangerous area (such as near a busy road or building), call a local vet, animal rescue centre or contact us. Never put yourself in danger.
Found a stray cat with kittens
If a stray cat has just had kittens, it may be best to leave them for a few days, while keeping an eye on them. The mother is their main source of food and care, so keeping her and the kittens together with as little stress as possible is important. After a few days she should move them anyway, once she realises you know where they are.
If the mother cat and kittens appear to be healthy and are in a safe area, it's best to leave them alone – don't move them unless they're at risk. Follow our advice above to try to find the cat's owner. If you can't find them and you think the cat is a stray, call your local RSPCA rescue for advice. They may talk to you about giving a helping hand by providing food, water and outside shelter to help protect the mother and kittens from extreme weather.
If the mother and/or the kittens seem to be sick or injured, contact a vet for advice. It's important that the cat and her kittens stay together. If you need to transport them and aren't able to do so safely, or if the kittens have been abandoned by their mother, report your concern or contact your local RSPCA rescue centre or Cats Protection.
If you find a cat and think she may be lactating (but can’t see any kittens), this means there are probably kittens nearby. Follow the above advice, and be mindful that the kittens may be in danger.
Found abandoned or lone kittens
If you find kittens on their own, keep a good distance to avoid disturbing them – this could scare their mother away and prevent her from returning. It's not unusual for a cat to leave her kittens when she goes to find food.
If the kittens appear to be in danger (they're wet, cold, weak or appear unwell), contact a vet or report your concern to us as soon as possible.
If the kittens are very young (with their eyes still closed and barely moving), monitor them for around two hours before contacting a vet or reporting your concern to us.
Older kittens (with their eyes open and able to walk) can usually manage a while longer without food, but they still rely on their mum for food and care, so keep an eye out for their mum’s return for around four hours before calling for advice. It's best to leave the kittens where they are unless a vet advises otherwise.
Rescuing kittens when they’re not actually at risk can do more damage than good; they’re more likely to survive with their mother around to nurse and care for them. Give them enough time to see if their mum returns before assuming they're orphaned.
When to contact a vet
If you find a cat that’s sick, injured or in danger, take them to a vet immediately – but only if it’s safe for you to do so. Don’t put yourself at risk to help them.
Always contact a vet if you have any concerns or uncertainty about the welfare of a cat. If you’ve found a cat and are unsure how to help, a local vet can provide advice.
Vets won’t charge you for any treatment to the injured cat if they aren’t yours.
What happens once the cat is at the vet?
- If the cat is lost, the vet will get in touch with the owner, if they’re able to. Once the cat has recovered, they can go home.
- If the cat is a stray, the cat may be taken to a local rehoming centre or returned to you to be released where you found them.
- If the cat is feral, they’ll be returned to you to be released where you found them.
Find more information on helping cats in emergencies – including what to do if you hit a cat with a car or find a cat involved in a road accident – on our emergency cat advice page.
When to contact the RSPCA
As a charity with limited resources, we can't respond to calls about healthy stray cats – our priority has to be helping animals suffering from cruelty and neglect.
However, if you find a cat that appears to be experiencing cruelty and neglect, call us on 0300 123 8960. For a cat that’s sick or injured, take them to your vet or contact your local RSPCA rescue centre for advice. You can report your concern to us, but we have to prioritise animals experiencing immediate cruelty or neglect, meaning we may not be able to help.
Caring for the cat
In general, you shouldn’t feed a cat that’s not your own. Some cats may have medical conditions or specialised diets, and feeding them could make them ill.
However, in some circumstances, putting out food for a cat temporarily – for example, you’ve found a cat that appears sick or underfed – can be a useful solution until you’re able to get them to a vet.
Long-term feeding can be considered in certain situations. If you’re wondering whether you should feed a cat, first decide:
- If the cat is a neighbour’s cat: Ask their owner if it’s okay to put out food for them. Usually, however, it’s best not to feed other people’s cats.
- If the cat is lost: If you know they’re a missing cat with an owner, don’t feed the cat, as this can stop them from returning home (cats often return to where they know they can find food). Instead, get in touch with their owner so they can come and collect them.
- If the cat is a stray: If you’ve identified the cat as a stray, putting down food is up to you. The more you feed them, the more they will rely on you as a food source. However, only do so if you’re prepared to accept the responsibility of regularly feeding them and ensuring their overall health – once you commit to routinely caring for them, you may be considered responsible for them. If you’re unwilling to provide routine meals, don’t feed them at all.
- If the cat is feral: Feral cats are much better at providing for themselves, so are less likely to need you as a source of food. However, it can be helpful to provide them with the opportunity to eat. As with feeding stray cats, if you decide to feed a feral cat, you’re accepting the responsibility of keeping them fed and healthy.
If you do decide to feed a cat, make sure to throw out any uneaten food each day, replacing it with fresh food and water.
Providing shelter for stray and feral cats is a great way to protect them from bad weather. You can buy suitable shelters or create one using a plastic storage tub, lined with insulation (such as foam) and straw for bedding (instead of blankets or towels, which can freeze when wet). Keep the shelter warm by elevating it off the cold ground.
Potential concerns
Feeding a stray or feral cat can affect your local eco-system. Taking care of an animal in need is never a bad thing, but it can impact other animals in your area.
Stray or feral cats that rely on you for food and shelter can become territorial, and may fight any neighbouring cats or pets. Wildlife that lives in your garden may also be at risk, as stray and feral cats can still hunt, and will do so nearby.
If you decide to become responsible for the welfare of a stray or feral cat, you can reduce these risks by:
- Speaking to your neighbours: Let them know you plan to feed the cat so they can keep their pets away from the area.
- Feed the stray away from known wildlife: Put the food away from bird nests, burrows, dens or hedges where hedgehogs may reside.
- Get them neutered: Unneutered cats, males especially, can show signs of aggression with other animals. They can also mate with other cats, contributing to the population of unhomed litters. If you’re able to get the cat safely to the vet, take them to be neutered. If the cat won’t let you near, borrow a humane trap from your local RSPCA centre, local vet or Cat’s Protection. Cat’s Protection also offers a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) scheme, collecting the cat to be neutered before returning them to your area.
Rehoming a stray cat
You can rehome a stray cat if you have taken reasonable steps to locate an owner, and can’t find one. If you're unable to keep the cat, a local animal rescue charity may be able to help. Try contacting your local RSPCA centre or branch, Cats Protection or other reputable organisations.
If you’re rehoming a stray cat with kittens, the kittens must be kept with their mother until they're at least eight weeks old and have been fully weaned.
If you’re thinking of keeping the stray cat, first consider whether you have the time, space and money to help care for them. If the cat becomes ill or injured in the future, you’ll be responsible for ensuring they get the veterinary care they need. Though giving a cat a home is a big responsibility and long-term commitment, it’s also hugely rewarding.
If you do decide to take responsibility for a stray cat
Thank you! There are so many benefits for both the cat and the RSPCA. Cats that come into our care will live in one of our catteries until we can find them a suitable ‘forever home’ – this can be stressful for many cats, especially those stray cats who have been used to the freedom to roam and live outside. Taking on the responsibility yourself means the cat can return to a place they know and feel comfortable. You’ll also be helping us to care for more cats who are victims of cruelty or neglect.
Found a dead cat
Sadly, some cats found may have died from road accidents, injuries or natural causes. You may think there’s nothing you can do if you find a dead cat in (or around) the road. But there is – and it might make a world of difference to their owner.
As long as it’s safe to do so, move the cat to a quiet and sheltered spot. Check for a collar. If you find the owner’s contact details, get in touch and let them know what’s happened. As heartbreaking as this is, at least they won’t be left wondering but never knowing, and can instead begin to grieve.
If there’s no collar, ask around the local area, where the cat was found. Neighbours may know who the cat belonged to. Post about the found cat on social media.
If you’re still unable to find an owner, take the cat to a nearby vet, gently wrapping them in a blanket or towel, if you’re able to. The vet will then be able to check for a microchip and contact the owner to let them know what has happened.
Log the details of the cat, such as their physical description and location, on Animal Search UK. Please avoid including any graphic details or photos out of respect for potential owners.
Bear in mind that the cat may be a stray, farm or feral cat that may not have an owner who can be contacted. Even so, you’ve still done a good thing by checking.
If you suspect the cat has been killed deliberately, contact us on 0300 123 8960.
You can also report the body to your local council, who may arrange the collection of the cat and microchip scanning.
For more support with the loss of a pet, find our pet bereavement toolkit here.
