should i take a stray cat to the spca?

[Sweet]

I came home yesterday evening and found this stray cat at my door. It was so friendly it took me by surprise. My mum says it has been around since last sunday, but i only just saw it last night.

The cat is so skinny, its scary. When you look at it you can tell its skinny but its fur disguises how really bad it is - it pretty much has no flesh at all, just skin, fur and bones.

I gave it milk last night and some cat food and it ate it all. I tried giving it some water today but it refuses to drink it, even though its tongue is hanging out, so i gave it more milk. I gave it some cat biscuits but it only ate a few. My mum gave it cooked meat to eat and it ate that all up.

Other than the fact that its so skinny, it looks healthy enough. At first glance you wouldn't know it. I want to take it to the spca, but im scared they may euthanize it. I dont want that to happen, if i had the money i would take it to the vet but thats not a option. I would really like to keep the cat, but i dont want to put its health at further risk.

What should i do? I just dont want the cat to die
btw i think it must be a house cat. its super sweet, it goes up to everyone for a pat and it keeps coming in the house (though my mum chases it out). Ive only once come across a cat as sweet and lovable as it. Its so cuddly

[🔥 Fire 🔥]

Call all of the animal shelters and vet clinics in your area/state/providence to make sure this cat doesn't belong to anybody. This cat could have been someone's runaway pet so I would also post ads in the newspaper with contact info, the cat's description and a good picture of the cat.

If nothing happens and you don't get help, take the cat to the animal shelter or take the cat in.

[Karina]

It probably has a decease. Leaving it outside, it will only get worse, and will ultimately die. I suggest doing some research. Look for a no-kill policy SPCA. The only time they put animals down is when they are suffering and there is no cure. They even will inform you when the animal is adopted. It's for the better. The cat is probably very depressed if it only drinks milk. That probably is quite young, and is missing its mother, or there is something more serious going on. So what's better for the cat and being it in. Just make sure you state you don't know who owns it, and you just found it. Plz bring it to a no-kill policy SPACA

[Hand_of_Chaos]

Yes

If it has an that is where they will look for it. The cat will need a lot of vet care that will be very expensive. Can you afford that vet care?

If they put the cat down its because it's too sick to save. It will be kinder. No kills will put cats and dogs down if they are very sick or have sever issues. Or they will just turn it away or ship it off to a kill shelter. Honestly people need to stop thinking no kills never put animals down

[Mamma Cat]

Sorry, it is a stray cat that has adapted to humans. You fed it a couple of times which shows it can be socialized.
If you aren't going to keep it,please turn it into a shelter so it will have a chance of survival.

[Leo D]

Many vets will do a free checkup in youve taken in a stray. Call around to find one.

they will see if its microchipped.

then check around as suggested in lost cats.

After that, its yours!

[Nicole]

Chances are they will put him/her to sleep. It's sad, I know. But think of it like this. Many, many people ump cats because either they can't afford to care for it, moved and have no place for it, did not "fix" the cat which later had babies (bad caring) and so on. So the little cat gets dumped (yes, many run away and get lost) and someone finds the cat. The SPCA then takes many of those cats but it's like a hospital, not enough beds/cages for the sick, not enough money to care for them (maybe not people hospitals but you get my point I hope). My point is, they get over-run wit strays and cannot afford to care for them and do not have the space. I know that either way it sucks but that's why people need to learn and learn compassion too.

Anyway, if you care for him then I would adopt him. God only knows what could be wrong with him. A skin issue is for sure plus maybe a respiratory infection. Fleas too. I know it's a lot and you should NOT adopt him if you can't do it forever. I adopted a stray and had a lot of money to dump into him but honest to God, the best choice I made. He is a curious, sweet, funny playful little brother to my other cat.

Think of it like this... If you cannot take him in then should he walk home to home hoping for food, care and maybe even love and attention? Would you feel better A) letting him have a chance outside without steady food, no love, no affection, no shelter. He may get it when someone notices and has a moment to spare.. or B) take him to the SPCA where he MIGHT get adopted but if he doesn't and they euthanize him at least he won't suffer?
He may look healthy enough but honestly they usually are worse than we can see. Good luck

[kittyslave23]

Ok... let's get a few things straight out...

Some communities have ordinances that say that IF you regularly feed a stray, it then will be considered YOUR cat/dog.

That being said, you already suspect this one as having come from someone's home. If you do NOT want to turn it over to Animal Control, then you need to do a SEARCH for it's owner(s).

-- Post notices/pics around your neighborhood.
-- place FOUND ads in your local papers, and those free "Penny" or "nickel" papers, too.
-- call local VETS to give them notice it is FOUND.
-- call your local shelter to tell THEM it is FOUND. Tell them that you are willing to care for the cat while the search is going on.
-- post notices on local groups on FACEBOOK or other social media (with pics).

Now... if you do not want to hold onto the cat while a search is going on, then turn it over to the shelter. But make it CLEAR to them that WHEN the search is concluded and if no owner is found, that you would like to adopt it. Ask them when you can call them to start the adoption procedure and then CALL when that time comes.


Me… kittyslave23… I know my place.