It is human nature to always want to show care, especially to one of its kind or a domesticated pet.
Finding a cat without a collar can trigger human nature to raise several questions about the cat’s safety, ownership, and general well-being.
There are a lot of possibilities if the cat either removed the collar on its own or it’s a cat that strayed into the neighborhood.
If the cat removed the collar on its own then the owner will probably be looking for the cat and if it’s a feral cat then there’s a reason why it must have strayed from its natural habitat.
However, there are also other important considerations to take into account before deciding on your next line of action.
Feral, Stray, Or Lost Cat:
Feral, stray, and lost cats are all domesticated cats that have lived with humans for many years.
A feral cat does not have an owner or a caregiver.
Meanwhile, a stray cat once had a caregiver or owner but has been separated for a long time.
Due to the previous interactions of a stray cat with humans, they can be easily taken care of and they can be returned to their owners but will likely take longer and in some cases, they might have forgotten their owner.
On the other hand, Lost cats do actively have caregivers and pet owners who will actively be searching for them.
They may or may not have a collar attached to their neck but they are missing.
However, it might not be so easy to know the differences between a stray, feral, or a lost cat.
But there are feline advocacy groups such as Alley Cat Allies that have some easy tips to help you figure out the differences.
What To Do If You Find A Lost Cat Without A Collar:
Here are a few very important tips to guide you to help a lost cat and possibly uniting the cat with the owner.
These tips will also help to care for the cat well well-being in the meantime before reuniting with the owner.
Approach With Caution:
While you might not be an enemy or pose as one, it’s very important to be friendly in your approach because cats are very cautious animals.
They have a strong sense of smell and sight which might make them either run away or jump if they sense you are approaching to touch them.
Avoid fast movement or loud sounds else they will easily be startled.
Check For Identification:
Not all cats use collars because of inconveniences from collars. Always look out for other means of identification when you see a cat without a collar.
Some cats do have ear clamps or ear tags. These are identification tags that are clipped into the ears of feral cat colonies.
Ear tags are used to indicate if a cat has been spayed or neutered and are also a means of identifying a cat.
You should also look closely for tattoos which are usually located in the ear or a microchip such as a universal microchip, American microchip, FECAVA (European microchip), etc.
They are implanted under the skins of cats usually around their shoulder blades and it’s a permanent identification method for cats, unlike collars that can easily be removed.
If the cat has an implanted microchip, you should scan the unique number on the chip cause all microchip has an identification number.
This unique number either has the updated full contact information of the cat’s owner or the information of the microchip company where the cat was registered.
A microchip is a very reliable way to identify and contact the owners of strayed or missing cats and you shouldn’t hesitate to contact the owners to reunite them with their missing cats.
However, the identification of a microscope is usually done by a veterinarian or a professional.
Ask Questions And Ask Around:
Endeavor to ask around your local community cause the chances the cat owner lives in the local area are high.
You can enquire with your neighbors, park workers, social workers, and local vet shops if anyone can identify the cat or provide any meaningful information that can lead you to the owner.
The possibility that someone in the area might know the cat or owner is significant and you shouldn’t hesitate.
Access The Cat Situation:
If the cat is wounded or has any noticeable injury, it is best advised to seek the services of a veterinarian before searching for their owners.
They are likely to have sustained injuries when lost and wandering about in the neighborhood.
Social And Online Platforms:
The use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc, or other local platforms is a good way to reach a wider audience within a short period.
All you have to do is take and upload a picture of the cat as well as other descriptive information such as the area found and your contact information.
Provide Shelter:
Make provisions for where the cat can stay temporarily while you look out for the owners.
A safe shelter for a cat should be away from human interference, and loud noises and away from other domestic pets such as dogs.
Provide Basic Needs:
If you can, food, clean water, and a hygienic space should immediately be provided for the lost cat.
Cats do require litter where they can eliminate body waste (urinate and defecate). They don’t eliminate body waste discriminately.
Make sure their litter is free from dirt and any smell else they will likely not use it.
Contact Local Animal Shelter:
local shelters or rescue groups are usually one of the first places to have any information about missing pets.
Do notify them of the missing cats and all the steps taken by you.
Be Compliant With Local Laws And Practices:
Depending on your locality, some laws guide reporting of missing pets or where to take them when found.
You can acquaint yourself with these laws by researching or asking pet owners and rescue groups.
If you have exhausted all means to reunite the pet with the owner, you can consider keeping the cat and giving the cat a new place to call home.