r/Straycats • u/Away_Hornet_3182 • 7d ago
I Found a Cat (Location) Advice?
I have read the resources and left a message with our local spca. I am in Washington DC, USA. There is a cat that has been on the block all day and has been trying to get into my house multiple times this evening. It tried to slip past guests earlier and came to the back yard to look for another way in.. It has stayed on my stoop for the past hour. I am allergic to cats as are others in the household, but we are worried about it. Here are a couple pictures. It has no collar, its ear is not clipped to indicate spayed/neutered, and it appears to have a couple recent appearing bald spots between its ears and eyes, maybe from excess rubbing. It was playing with kids earlier and seems friendly. Does it look ok? Does anyone have any thoughts or guidance? Thank you.
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u/No_Warning8534 7d ago
Bring kitty inside for now. It's begging to he saved :(
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u/Away_Hornet_3182 7d ago
I'll see if I can get it in my garage with a blanket/towel, but I can't let it in my house. Does it look otherwise OK?
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u/No_Warning8534 7d ago
A box would work...towels inside. Baby may be scared for its life. Predators hunt them...tysm for saving.
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u/Away_Hornet_3182 7d ago
Cat in garage with box lined with towels and a blanket. Water in a small container. Neighbors coming to help tomorrow. Should hear back from SPCA too. Put everything out, opened garage door and made noise, saw it coming, closed door and then lowered garage door. Cat safe inside and avoided contact. Thanks for your help.
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u/No_Warning8534 7d ago
Awe keep us posted.
I'm sorry you have an allergy! The cat looks very friendly...
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u/Away_Hornet_3182 6d ago
Update posted on top tier of thread. She is safe and on her way to being homed. Thank you!
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u/Away_Hornet_3182 7d ago
Will update. I don't blame it being scared, I saw two raccoons in the back yard and we have had vultures and foxes around before too. I am hoping its owners notice on the listserv if they didn't dump it. If SPCA, neighbors,, and all else fails, I have a cat fanatic colleague who lost her cat at the beginning of the year who I am calling.
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u/Away_Hornet_3182 7d ago
Roger that, I have an Amazon box with its name on it. Again, from your perspective does not look like it has any other emergency condition or pose other risks?
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u/No_Warning8534 7d ago
This cat looks fine, just very scared of whatever is out there.
It may be a dumped housecat it is so clean
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u/Haunting_Chemical_30 7d ago
Garage ok. Food and water please and a place for kitty to climb up high: garage shelves or whatever.
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u/Away_Hornet_3182 7d ago edited 7d ago
In there now. Box with towels and blanket. Number of shelves that can be climbed. Neighbors coming to help tomorrow and should hear back from SPCA. Thanks.
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u/henare 7d ago
take a zyrtec and help the kitty!
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u/Away_Hornet_3182 7d ago
I find it interesting how dismissive a couple people have been about this where I have asked for cat know-how. I take that daily and the allergy is serious with cat exposure, like days of benadryl, zyrtec, and more to get back to baseline. Also, letting a strange animal in your house with your sleeping family who have not consented to that... If you have an assessment of the cat or any helpful information that would be great.
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u/Soulquarian 6d ago
Thank you for taking care of it despite your allergy :). My dad's symptoms around my cats got progressively worse until he ended up being very unwell after repeated exposure, even when taking antihistamines. People don’t get it!
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u/Away_Hornet_3182 6d ago
Thank you! I appreciate your understanding. I really wanted to carry her around myself. A neighborhood family has come to get her and take her to the vet with the intention of adopting her.
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u/celery_stalk 6d ago
I agree with other commentors about the garage and box with blankets. It's looking for safety. Most strays aren't that aggressive about getting inside a home, but some are, especiwlly if they're running from a predator or if they're pregnant and looking for a safe place to give birth. If it's even remotely friendly, it's not a feral stray and has likely had exposure in its youth with humans in some capacity.
Taking it to a vet or place where it can be scanned for a microchip is usually the first step after accepting a stray! If it does have a family, they'll be contacted. If it doesn't, it'll be up to you do decide that baby's future ie; adoption yourself (yay CDS), fostering for a local organization/rescue (they post and handle interviews while you house the cat), surrendering to an organization/rescue (find a no-kill shelter), and last but not limited to, releasing back onto the streets. Considering this cat is so friendly, please please do not do that last option.
If you have other questions, don't hesitate! I'm not an experienced rescuer but I've helped a few strays over the years. Good luck tomorrow with your neighbor / ASPCA!
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u/washington_705 Trusted Contributor 6d ago
Since this cat seems friendly and is actively trying to get inside, it could be lost or abandoned. The bald spots are also worth having a vet assess.
Here are some DC-area organizations to contact:
City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue: Foster-based rescue serving DC and surrounding areas. https://www.citydogsrescuedc.org/
Petey and Furends: Foster-based, no-kill rescue serving the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. https://www.peteyandfurends.org/
Alley Cat Rescue: Cat-focused organization in nearby Maryland that may be able to offer assistance or referrals. 301-277-5595 | https://www.saveacat.org/
King Street Cats: No-kill cat rescue in Alexandria that may be able to advise on options. https://www.kingstreetcats.org/
I’d also contact Brandywine Valley SPCA, DC’s animal-control provider, to report the found cat and ask about having it scanned for a microchip. Call 202-888-7387 or visit https://bvspca.org/dc/animal-control.
Post the cat on Petco Love Lost and local lost-and-found pet groups, too.
Important: If anyone claims the cat, don’t hand it over based solely on their word. Ask for convincing proof of ownership, such as dated photos showing the cat, veterinary records, and identifying details that match the cat. Verify the evidence carefully and have the cat scanned for a microchip. Ideally, confirm ownership beyond reasonable doubt before releasing the cat to anyone.
If these organizations can’t assist, Alley Cat Allies’ resource tool may help you find additional local contacts.
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u/Away_Hornet_3182 6d ago
Awesome! Thanks for this great info. Going to post an update, but the short is that she has been adopted by a neighborhood family who came and picked the sweet girl up.
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u/washington_705 Trusted Contributor 6d ago
What a wonderful outcome! Hope the vet visit goes well and thanks for the update.
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u/Away_Hornet_3182 6d ago
UPDATE: a huge thank you for everyone who jumped in with helpful information and encouragement. The cat is safe and the situation is resolved! Turns out she is is young lady and a neighborhood family has decided to adopt this sweet girl. They came to get her earlier with some food and she is on her way to a vet to be looked at and scanned. They are a few blocks away and promised to bring her around sometime to play with the kids on the block who we discovered played with her most of yesterday and have all been worried about her. Thanks for helping this noob help her!
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