Where can I give away a stray cat?

October 4th is World Animal Day, a reminder that humans, as sentient beings, have a responsibility to other inhabitants of the planet for their safety and well-being. Despite the law "On Responsible Treatment of Animals" passed in Russia in 2018, the problem of stray animals remains acute.

Why are there so many homeless animals on the streets?

The state's funding for shelters is clearly insufficient to accommodate all the animals in need of care. Furthermore, the majority of "unowned" cats and dogs living in yards and basements are unneutered, breeding uncontrollably and continually adding to the already numerous homeless population.

An equally important cause of the problem is unscrupulous people who acquire a cat and then, after a while, due to moving to a new place of residence, or simply having played with the pet and no longer wanting to take care of it, throw it out onto the street.

If you find a homeless cat or small kitten on the street and want to help it, first of all, you need to decide what exactly you are willing (and able) to do for it.

What to do if you couldn't pass by

The happiest outcome for a homeless cat is when it is taken home and given the opportunity to live in warmth, well-fedness, and safety.

Foundlings often develop a much stronger attachment to their adopters than a member of an elite breed, accustomed to a comfortable life from birth. Grateful for shelter and care, foundlings are affectionate, obedient, and get along well with all family members.

However, it's important to keep in mind that if a cat was born and raised in a back alley, it may not always adapt to indoor life. A "feral" cat is difficult to housetrain, and it's hard to break its habit of climbing on tables and stealing food, even when not hungry. Such "ferals" are easily identified by their behavior: they distrust people, refuse to be handled, refuse to be petted, and are aggressive.

If you've brought a stray cat into your home, you should definitely take it to the veterinarian. At the veterinary clinic, the animal will be examined and tested for viral infections, ringworm, helminths, and blood-sucking parasites. If necessary, the cat will be prescribed treatment. Until the test results are available, it's recommended to quarantine the cat at the veterinary clinic, especially if you already have other animals in the home.

The second option for taking in a stray cat found on the street is to temporarily shelter it until it finds an owner or is placed in a shelter. You can try to find people willing to temporarily house the animal. Such temporary shelters in Russia are usually paid; the daily fee for a pet's stay in a private "hotel" is 100-150 rubles.

Theoretically, it's possible to immediately place a foundling in an animal shelter. In practice, however, most Russian shelters are overcrowded, often lacking food and other essential supplies, and many rely primarily on voluntary charitable donations. Furthermore, due to minimal funding, few shelters offer adequate conditions for the animals.

How to find new owners for a foundling

If you can't or don't want to keep a found cat yourself, but want to help the animal find a home, you can try advertising, such as posting flyers in your neighborhood. These flyers can be placed on lampposts, at public transportation stops, in shopping centers, and other high-traffic areas.

You can also post an ad offering to give a cat to a good home on websites with special message boards, on your own blog, or on your social media page. It's best to let as many people as possible know about the animal, and if you include a beautiful photo of the foundling with your ad, its chances of finding a loving home will greatly increase.

 

Sometimes a cat found on the street is clearly of an elite breed. In such cases, you can contact a local cat club or a cattery. A purebred or unusually colored animal will likely be rehomed very quickly.

Despite all the difficulties of rehoming a homeless kitten, cat, or cat, the knowledge that it was thanks to you that they found a home and a caring owner will be one of the most joyful and emotional experiences. Giving a living creature a chance at a happy life is a commendable act of kindness and true nobility.

Read also:

• What to do if your cat is missing?
• If your cat is lost: a systematic approach and notices
• How to find a cat if it runs away