16 Tips to Adopt a Stray Cat Easily
If you happen to walk any part of the world, you would always come across stray cats and kittens. Stray cats could be seen everywhere. On the road, in offices, in malls, schools, stations you name it, you can easily find one. Most people think that adopting a stray cat or a kitten is simple as giving them food and then luring them but there is more to it than simply giving a cat some food or a fish bone. Here are 16 tips to adopt a stray cat.
1. Spot the stray cat you want to adopt
Before adopting the cat or kitten, you should know where to find them. Stray cats almost always are near eateries and food disposal areas. You can also simply walk or search the places nearing your house and can definitely find a cat playing or simply resting. Cats roam freely in places where food or fish is available because they depend on throw away foods and garbage.
2. Look if the cat has a collar
You should keep in mind that there are some cats who have been abandoned by its owners or are lost. You can find out by its collar and if so, it is better to sort out the owner issue first as it is more appropriate. There are cat shelters or places in your locality which help owners find missing cats or kittens and it would be very ethical and polite enough to contact these groups or organizations to check whether the original owner has filed for help to locate the lost cat.
1. Spot the stray cat you want to adopt
Before adopting the cat or kitten, you should know where to find them. Stray cats almost always are near eateries and food disposal areas. You can also simply walk or search the places nearing your house and can definitely find a cat playing or simply resting. Cats roam freely in places where food or fish is available because they depend on throw away foods and garbage.
2. Look if the cat has a collar
You should keep in mind that there are some cats who have been abandoned by its owners or are lost. You can find out by its collar and if so, it is better to sort out the owner issue first as it is more appropriate. There are cat shelters or places in your locality which help owners find missing cats or kittens and it would be very ethical and polite enough to contact these groups or organizations to check whether the original owner has filed for help to locate the lost cat.
3. Planning a lure area
Luring a cat is not initially easy. Cats are generally very careful with strangers and would hiss or run away when called. Cats generally like to have favorite spots such as trees, veranda or places which are less noisy.
4. Patience
Patience is an art that is much needed when luring a cat and it could take several days or even weeks before the cat starts to get confident in staying near you. Generally cats could be lured in a few days but you should have patience to wait for your fur buddy to come near you or even come to the area it prefers.
5. Don't go near the cat, let the cat come near you
People make a common mistake when luring a cat and that is to follow or go behind the cat hoping to lure it. This is not a good strategy because the cat is a stray and does not know you hence it would get startled and fearful if a human is approaching and would run away. The more effective strategy is to let the cat slowly come to you.
6. Stay still and focus on the cat
When luring a cat, making unnecessary movements could scare the cat so, waiting still for a few seconds is a golden trick to follow. Stay still when the cat approaches you and he will be approaching you slowly and carefully saying meow. Once the cat approaches you, then give him food.
7. Do not try to feed the cat by scaring him
When approaching to feed the cat, don't try to feed the cat in a way that would hesitate the cat in a way that it would take the food and run away. Cats are very nervous when they are eating and would prefer a very safe place to eat. This is the main reason why you shouldn't try to feed the cat by scaring him.
Luring a cat is not initially easy. Cats are generally very careful with strangers and would hiss or run away when called. Cats generally like to have favorite spots such as trees, veranda or places which are less noisy.
4. Patience
Patience is an art that is much needed when luring a cat and it could take several days or even weeks before the cat starts to get confident in staying near you. Generally cats could be lured in a few days but you should have patience to wait for your fur buddy to come near you or even come to the area it prefers.
5. Don't go near the cat, let the cat come near you
People make a common mistake when luring a cat and that is to follow or go behind the cat hoping to lure it. This is not a good strategy because the cat is a stray and does not know you hence it would get startled and fearful if a human is approaching and would run away. The more effective strategy is to let the cat slowly come to you.
6. Stay still and focus on the cat
When luring a cat, making unnecessary movements could scare the cat so, waiting still for a few seconds is a golden trick to follow. Stay still when the cat approaches you and he will be approaching you slowly and carefully saying meow. Once the cat approaches you, then give him food.
7. Do not try to feed the cat by scaring him
When approaching to feed the cat, don't try to feed the cat in a way that would hesitate the cat in a way that it would take the food and run away. Cats are very nervous when they are eating and would prefer a very safe place to eat. This is the main reason why you shouldn't try to feed the cat by scaring him.
8. Plan out everything for the day
If you are planning to lure a cat so that you could adopt him, make sure that you have a concrete plan for this. Having a plan will help you take the necessary steps on luring that cat. Write down or simply note down your plan in your notebook or even your smartphone. There are many good apps out there hat would help you in perfecting plans.
9. Stray cats and stray kittens are different
Your choice of luring a cat or a kitten depends on what type of cat you would like to adopt. If you already have adult cats as pets, then adopting an adult cat would be a challenge as adult cats are very territorial and would potentially chase away the new cat. Unless you have the necessary patience to deal with this kind of a situation, you shouldn't plan on luring an adult cat and instead your focus should be on luring a kitten. Adult cats would less likely be more aggressive towards kittens and although they would hiss for the first few days, stray kittens would become very fond of adult cats and the companionship would bond quickly.
If you are planning to lure a cat so that you could adopt him, make sure that you have a concrete plan for this. Having a plan will help you take the necessary steps on luring that cat. Write down or simply note down your plan in your notebook or even your smartphone. There are many good apps out there hat would help you in perfecting plans.
9. Stray cats and stray kittens are different
Your choice of luring a cat or a kitten depends on what type of cat you would like to adopt. If you already have adult cats as pets, then adopting an adult cat would be a challenge as adult cats are very territorial and would potentially chase away the new cat. Unless you have the necessary patience to deal with this kind of a situation, you shouldn't plan on luring an adult cat and instead your focus should be on luring a kitten. Adult cats would less likely be more aggressive towards kittens and although they would hiss for the first few days, stray kittens would become very fond of adult cats and the companionship would bond quickly.
10. Use meat or fish to lure an adult cat
Cats are carnivorous and they need a good amount of protein rich diets to keep them strong and healthy. If you are planning to lure an adult cat you should always keep this in mind and adult cats love fish and meat. take a sardine or piece of meat and keep it between yourself and the approaching cat and wait patiently until he arrives near the food.At first, the cat will be scared to eat near you but this is the first step in luring a cat
Cats are carnivorous and they need a good amount of protein rich diets to keep them strong and healthy. If you are planning to lure an adult cat you should always keep this in mind and adult cats love fish and meat. take a sardine or piece of meat and keep it between yourself and the approaching cat and wait patiently until he arrives near the food.At first, the cat will be scared to eat near you but this is the first step in luring a cat
11. Always use the same area to lure the cat
If you had fed the cat previously in a place, then it is better to feed him in the same spot or area because this would help the cat feel comfortable. Adult cats are very territorial and would be afraid to go to an area it doesn't know so, when it is eating, it would prefer eating in an area which it prefers.
12. Take a different approach when feeding a kitten
It is far easier to adopt a kitten than an adult cat because kittens are not territorial and are very friendly towards humans. You can simply carry the kitten if it is small and you should keep in mind that a kitten is not grown enough to eat solids or bone. You should also keep in mind that a kitten cannot eat frozen or hardened meat. The best approach is to feed the kitten with milk and carry small kittens needn't be lured and instead, bottle feed the kitten if it is too young.
13. Do not pet a cat until it is ready
Cats are undoubtedly adorable and this is one of the reasons why people would want to pet stray cats. Stray cats who are not used to you could claw or even bite you if you try to pet them. You should instead approach them gradually until the cat is confident that you won't hurt him and then start stroking his head and pet him. Some cats are friendlier than others and adaptability varies from cat to cat and if you see that the cat is following you or is head butting or stroking your legs with its head, then it is a good sign that he is becoming friendly.
14. Look out for sick cats and kittens
Luring cats is a fun thing to do but you should be careful when approaching a cat which is sick. If the cat or kitten is behaving strangely like it has its mouth open or is very aggressive or is refusing liquids, then you should not pet it rather you should call the relevant authorities to take away the cat or kitten. Rabies is a serious illness and you should never touch or allow your children to pet sick looking cats or kittens who are aggressive or are behaving abnormally. below are some of the signs of rabies in a cat,
Lethargy
Not taking food or water
Fever
Excessive saliva coming out or dripping from the mouth
Frequently urinating or defecating in several places
15. Vaccinate the cat
One you lure and adopt the cat or kitten, It is highly recommended to vaccinate your cat if you happen to come in an area where reports of rabies in cats have been reported. Any mammal is capable of getting rabies so keep in mind to keep your cats indoors until they are vaccinated.
16. Show compassion and empathy
Once you adopt the stray cat, give him some time to adapt to the new environment. Cats who are stray would be afraid to venture out if it fears other cats, so allowing the cat to adapt to the environment is important. Always cuddle and show love to the cat so that he will bond with you quickly. Kittens and young cats are very playful and could sometimes test your patience and at that moment slowly turn your anger into compassion or use strategies that would keep the cat more occupied such as giving him toys to play with. By doing so, the cat sill not use home appliances or furniture as play items and will eventually lessen your home becoming untidy.
If you had fed the cat previously in a place, then it is better to feed him in the same spot or area because this would help the cat feel comfortable. Adult cats are very territorial and would be afraid to go to an area it doesn't know so, when it is eating, it would prefer eating in an area which it prefers.
12. Take a different approach when feeding a kitten
It is far easier to adopt a kitten than an adult cat because kittens are not territorial and are very friendly towards humans. You can simply carry the kitten if it is small and you should keep in mind that a kitten is not grown enough to eat solids or bone. You should also keep in mind that a kitten cannot eat frozen or hardened meat. The best approach is to feed the kitten with milk and carry small kittens needn't be lured and instead, bottle feed the kitten if it is too young.
13. Do not pet a cat until it is ready
Cats are undoubtedly adorable and this is one of the reasons why people would want to pet stray cats. Stray cats who are not used to you could claw or even bite you if you try to pet them. You should instead approach them gradually until the cat is confident that you won't hurt him and then start stroking his head and pet him. Some cats are friendlier than others and adaptability varies from cat to cat and if you see that the cat is following you or is head butting or stroking your legs with its head, then it is a good sign that he is becoming friendly.
14. Look out for sick cats and kittens
Luring cats is a fun thing to do but you should be careful when approaching a cat which is sick. If the cat or kitten is behaving strangely like it has its mouth open or is very aggressive or is refusing liquids, then you should not pet it rather you should call the relevant authorities to take away the cat or kitten. Rabies is a serious illness and you should never touch or allow your children to pet sick looking cats or kittens who are aggressive or are behaving abnormally. below are some of the signs of rabies in a cat,
Lethargy
Not taking food or water
Fever
Excessive saliva coming out or dripping from the mouth
Frequently urinating or defecating in several places
15. Vaccinate the cat
One you lure and adopt the cat or kitten, It is highly recommended to vaccinate your cat if you happen to come in an area where reports of rabies in cats have been reported. Any mammal is capable of getting rabies so keep in mind to keep your cats indoors until they are vaccinated.
16. Show compassion and empathy
Once you adopt the stray cat, give him some time to adapt to the new environment. Cats who are stray would be afraid to venture out if it fears other cats, so allowing the cat to adapt to the environment is important. Always cuddle and show love to the cat so that he will bond with you quickly. Kittens and young cats are very playful and could sometimes test your patience and at that moment slowly turn your anger into compassion or use strategies that would keep the cat more occupied such as giving him toys to play with. By doing so, the cat sill not use home appliances or furniture as play items and will eventually lessen your home becoming untidy.