It’s not always easy to know what to do when lost cats and kittens turn up in your street or garden. Some cats are much-loved pets that roam freely, while others may be genuinely lost or unowned.
How to Help a Found Cat
Before acting, observe quietly — healthy, confident cats are often owned and may find their way home. If the cat looks unwell, is thin, injured, or has stayed around for several days, you can bring them to a local vet (like Summer Hill Village Vet) to be scanned for a microchip.
Vets can’t legally accept “surrendered” cats, but they can help you check for ownership. This is the most important first step for helping lost cats and kittens get back home. After checking for a chip, the vet can point you to the right local rescues or Council Rangers, who are authorised to impound animals.
Please don’t start feeding unowned cats unless there’s a plan to have them desexed — ongoing feeding without neutering leads to more kittens needing homes.
Read More: Traveling & Holiday Hazards
What to Do If You Find Kittens
Finding a litter of kittens can be worrying, but it’s vital not to intervene too quickly.
Step 1: Stop and watch from a distance for a few hours. The mother cat is likely nearby hunting for food and will return. Separating them from their mum too early can reduce their chance of survival.
Step 2: If the kittens are crying, dirty, or in an unsafe spot, or if you are certain the mother has not returned for several hours, it’s time to call for help.
Step 3: Contact your local vet or a rescue group (like Maggie’s Rescue or Cat Protection Society) for advice before you move or feed the kittens. They need specialised care, and a rescue group gives all lost cats and kittens the best possible chance.
Read More: Cat Holiday Hazards
Who to Call For Advice
For friendly, unowned cats or kittens, contact community rescues such as Maggie’s Rescue, Cat Protection Society, or the RSPCA for advice. Working together, we can help every cat safely and humanely.
Want to know more?
Read our blog on Microchips here https://summerhillvillagevet.com/pet-care/lets-talk-microchips/
Read our blog on Cat care here: https://summerhillvillagevet.com/pet-care/feline-basic-health-check/
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
