You have discovered that a stray cat is roaming around your home. You would like to adopt it to give it better life, but unfortunately, it is impossible to approach.
Don't try to catch it by force, as this could scare it away for good. To do the right thing, arm yourself with patience and follow our 6 tips for adopting a stray cat with peace of mind.
Adopting a stray cat: 6 tips to remember
Tip 1: Feed him to soften him up
The first step in adopting a stray cat is to catch it. The best way to do this is to feed it. If you bring him food, he shouldn't resist for long.
Put a bowl of kibble down at the same time and place every day. Find a place close enough to the house, but not so close that he won't be afraid to come and help himself.
Once he has finished eating, remove it, start again the next day and let the routine develop. As trust is built up, you can gradually move the bowl closer to your home.
Then put his food in the house to bring him in. Once inside, close the door gently so as not to frighten him. Keep him in your house until he gets used to you.
Don't rush him, let him come to you and that's it. As you go through this process, you can also start to get the stray cat used to your presence by sitting a few feet away from it when it eats, without seeking eye contact which it might see as a threat.
To maximise your chances of success in taming it, keep children and other pets away, as they are too agitated not to scare your future companion.
Sometimes a stray cat may not get used to its new environment and you will have no choice but to set it free. Ideally, you should have the cat spayed or neutered before releasing it.
You can do even better by using an association. This way, even if he will always be a stray, he will benefit from their protection and he will be legally allowed to be fed, even on the public highway.
Tip 2: Make sure it's a stray
Yes, it would be a shame to take a cat away from a loving family!
Check that it doesn't have a tattoo in its ear, if it doesn't, it may still have a chip and unless you have the device to check it, you'll only be able to tell by going to a vet.
If it's a male, checking if it's neutered will also give you a good clue. There are also lost cat websites, so check the web and local shops to see if there is a small sign with his name on it!
If there is no indication that your stray cat already has an owner, then you can consider yourself its new owner after having it identified at the vet's so that the adoption is official.
Tip 3: Avoid bringing your cat into contact with other family pets
Once in the house, if you have other pets, make sure you establish a quarantine for your new companion by limiting his access to certain rooms.
This is because a stray cat is more likely to contract diseases that can be highly contagious to other animals. It would be a shame to have to treat everyone when you could have prevented it.
Moreover, this isolation precaution will also prevent a possible electrical encounter with the other family cat or dog. One thing at a time. Once he is used to his new home and to you, you can introduce him under supervision.
Tip 4: A visit to the vet
Once your new companion has been tamed, he will have to go to the vet. Indeed, the law requires that cats be identified, but you will also have to do a "check-up" of your cat to make sure that he is in good health.
It would also be wise to give him the recommended vaccinations as well as the anti-parasite treatments (deworming and flea control) necessary for his good health. Finally, it is strongly recommended to have him neutered in order to avoid unwanted litters which would only create new stray cats.
Tip n°5: no outings before three weeks
If you want to make your cat exclusively an indoor cat, you'll have to be more patient, as a cat used to the outdoors appreciates its freedom. As a result, you may have to put up with inopportune meowing at all hours of the day and night and some inappropriate behaviour. Don't worry, this should pass in time, and you can help him by soothing him with your love or hormone diffusers for example.
If you are planning to give your dog access to the outdoors, take the time to bond with your new four-legged friend before you let him go out on his own. It is necessary for him to get used to you and your family (including children and pets). If this bond is not strong enough, he may not come back and resume his life as a stray. Three weeks is the minimum time for him to get his bearings and to know how to return to his new home after an outing.
Tip 6: Lots of love
Petting, treats and toys are all your new cat will need to feel loved! Don't hesitate to do some play sessions with him using a feather duster or a fishing rod, for example, they love it! Don't hesitate to let them enjoy the warmth of your lap in front of the television either!
That's it, your stray cat has become your best friend, for your greatest happiness, as well as for his. But did you know that cats are very social animals and never say no to a new friend? You know what to do if you come across another stray cat!
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