The little “bear” was found by Street Cat Angel and is currently awaiting adoption at Ahimsa Haven. (Courtesy of Ahimsa Heaven)
Dear Pets: I noticed a stray cat in my neighborhood. Should I feed it?I like cats
Dear cat lover: Absolutely not. First, let's look at what you said. You say it's a stray cat, but is there a possibility that someone in your neighborhood owns it? Your first step is to be a good neighbor. Ask if the cat is known and owned in your neighborhood. If your cat's ears are “pointed” (meaning the tips have been removed), your cat has been spayed or neutered. Cats that have been spayed or neutered and are left to roam are likely to have an owner.
However, if you live in an area with a lot of apartment buildings and your cat shows up at the end of each month, it's possible that your cat was left behind during a move or eviction. It is the landlord's responsibility to ensure that no pets are left in the apartment, and that is the law.
Now, if no one in your neighborhood claims the cat is theirs, the next step is to contact animal control. All cities and towns in the state are required to provide these services to their residents. Most animal control officers (ACOs) are part of a police department. In some cases, the local health board. It would be helpful if you could send us a photo via email or text message.
Some cities and towns have volunteer groups that support animal control officers. In Fitchburg and Leominster, animal control officers need to know about feral cats. Another support group is Street Cat Angels, the “go-to” group for residents who see a cat they don't personally know. SCA works with local cat shelters and shelters, such as Animal Control and Ahimsa Haven, to ensure that true “feral cats” have a safe place.
Here are the steps to determine if your cat is feral. The ACO will check to see if your cat is microchipped. This is a small transmitter, about the size of a grain of rice, that transmits ownership information. If the cat is in captivity and the owner is found, the cat will be returned and the ACO will discuss with the owner the dangers that free-ranging cats may encounter (vehicles, wildlife).
Finally, thank you for your kindness, but importantly, communication is key between all parties involved.
Sally Craigin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Visit us on Facebook, text us at 978-320-1335 or email us at sallycragin@gmail.com.
