Advice to Help you.

Sick, Injured or Distressed Cats

If you have noticed a sick, injured mistreated, neglected or distressed stray cat, please contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999. Alternatively, you can take the cat to any local vet so that they can assess the cat and provide any emergency medical treatment. They can also scan the cat for a microchip in order to try and locate the cat’s owner.

Un-Neutered ‘Stray’ Cats

If you notice an un-neutered stray cat, contact local rescues they may be able to provide neutering help. Even if unable to take the cat in at that time, at least by neutering it you will prevent it from breeding and making the situation worse. Cat population control is also very important to avoid the number of feral colonies increasing.

Pregnant Stray Cats

If you spot a pregnant stray cat, we may be able to help contact us or your nearest rescue. It is very important that pregnant females receive the correct nutrition so please feed. Please provide some shelter in a shed, outbuilding or even a plastic recycling box tipped on it’s side.

Nursing Strays

If a nursing mother seems in any discomfort or the newborn kittens are constantly crying, she could have mastitis. She will need antibiotics from a vet as soon as possible. Please take the cat to your nearest vets or contact the RSPCA.

Stray Kittens

Whilst we don’t recommend handling kittens at too young an age, they will need to be handled frequently from three weeks old to prevent them from becoming feral. Handling should always be done by adults and not children. It teaches the kittens important socialisation skills. If their eyes are closed, the kittens are less than 7-14 days old, if their eyes are open but still blue, the kittens are less than 6 weeks old. Kittens should start weaning onto solids from around 4-5 weeks old. Once the kittens are fully weaned (at around 6-8 weeks), the nursing mother can be spayed.

Neutered Stray Cats

If you notice a neutered and otherwise healthy stray cat, please pop them along to your local vets so that they can scan them for a microchip. They can also give an indication of age which can help with trying to locate a possible owner when you advertise.
http://www.animalsearchuk.co.uk/

Bear in mind that cats do wander and go from garden to garden so if you are unsure as to whether the cat belongs to someone or not, try knocking the doors locally, checking the lost and found columns in local papers, and asking at your local vets.

Moving to a rented property where pets aren’t allowed

Landlords shouldn’t refuse a reasonable request to own a pet. They may refuse to renew your lease at the end of the term but this is unlikely so long as the property has not been damaged by your pet. Landlords and tenants can find lots of information at the http://www.letswithpets.org.uk website.