Introduction

You see a cat, and you think: “I want that cat!” You want to take it home, pet it, feed it, play with it. It’s natural to want to help an animal in need—but before you rush out and scoop up your new furry friend, be sure you understand what kind of situation you’re getting yourself into. Here are some things to consider when trying to determine if an abandoned or stray kitten is safe for adoption:

Do not handle the kitten.

Don’t touch the kitten. Unless he looks like he needs medical attention and you have no other choice, don’t try to pick him up or put him in a carrier. The mother cat may be nearby, and she won’t know you’re trying to help her baby if you handle him first. If you need to move the kitten, place a towel on top of him and then slide it into your carrier or box; that should keep his mother from getting upset as long as there’s still some room for air circulation in there.

If for some reason there are no towels available and immediate action must be taken (the kitten is injured or near death), wear gloves so that when she does come back for her baby she’ll recognize your scent instead of attacking whoever did this terrible thing!

Keep a safe distance.

Remember, you can’t force a cat into your life. If he’s not interested, it’s best to just let him be and move on. If you have pets at home already, make sure they’re up-to-date with their vaccinations and parasite control programs before introducing them to any new additions. It’s also important that all of your animals are spayed and neutered when possible—this will help prevent unwanted litters from being born in the future!

Above all else, remember that kittens need love too!

Observe.

Here are some things to watch for:

• The kitten’s behavior. Is it exploring its surroundings? Does it appear to be healthy and active? Does it seem curious, scared or friendly?
• The kitten’s surroundings. Are there other animals around—and if so, how do they react to the kitten? Are there any signs of food or water nearby (like a bowl), and if so, has anyone been feeding this stray cat?
• The health of both the kitten and any other animals that may be nearby. Is the stray in good condition overall—for example, does it look like she’s been injured recently or is suffering from poor nutrition? If so, you might want to help her out by giving her some food and/or medical care before taking her home with you! Also look out for fleas on pets who sit near strays because these pesky parasites can spread quickly through an area if left unchecked.”

Assess the situation.

• Is the kitten injured?
• If so, how serious is it?
• Is the kitten sick?
• If so, what can you do to help him feel better? For example, if he has an upper respiratory infection (URI), you may want to try giving him some chicken soup. Or maybe he’s just hungry! In this case, you may want to feed him a small bowl of dry food or wet food if he sticks around long enough. As always, be sure not to give him anything that will harm him or make his condition worse in any way. Keep in mind that it might take some time for your efforts at first aid with this stray kitten to show results; just keep trying until everything gets back to normal! Also remember: whatever happens between now and then shouldn’t stop you from bringing home any other stray kittens who might be nearby as well—and don’t forget about all those feral ones out there waiting for their forever homes too!

Consider risk factors.

Consider the risk of disease and injury.

If you are not 100% sure of where this kitten came from, consider that he may have been exposed to diseases like feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which spread through blood transfusions or sexual contact. If another animal in your household has either of these viruses, then your other pets are at risk for infection as well, so keep them away from the new kitten until you know for sure whether he has either illness. Also keep him away from children who may not know that they’re sick with these potentially fatal viruses!

A stray cat could also have fleas and ticks. While these pests won’t make him sick, they can cause serious itching on pets who don’t usually get them—and if your family doesn’t want to sit around scratching every time they’re around their new pet…well then it may not be worth bringing home a stray kitten in the first place!

Put food and water out before attempting rescue.

Before you attempt to bring a stray cat home, it’s important that you put out food and water in the same area where you saw him. If you put these out first, then the cat will be used to coming back for his meals, and he’ll be more likely to trust you when you try to capture him.

You should leave the food and water out for at least three days—but if he doesn’t show up after that time period, take down the bowls and try again later on in another day or two. This procedure gives them plenty of time to sniff around without feeling threatened by your presence—and also gives them time for their natural instincts about what’s safe (like entering someone else’s house) versus dangerous (like being trapped inside someone else’s house).

Set a humane trap.

Set up a humane trap. A cat trap is a large, covered trap that can be opened from the outside but which the cat cannot escape from. Once inside, you can give them food and water until you are ready to bring them home.

To attract cats into your trap:

• Place some tuna fish or another favorite food in the trap (make sure it’s not expired).
• Leave the door open so they can smell it and come in on their own terms; you don’t want to scare them off! If this happens though, place some food out there as well until they are comfortable coming in themselves again because kittens need food too now that they’re growing up so fast!

Contact rescue groups and animal control.

According to the ASPCA, there are several ways you can help a stray cat. First, contact local rescue groups and shelters. They may be able to take in the kitten or even help you find him or her a new home. If they cannot take in the cat, they may know of other organizations that can help with medical care and rehoming services.

Second, contact the animal control agency in your area—they might be able to trap and release (TNR) feral cats, which is a process that sterilizes feral cats so they do not reproduce more kittens without human oversight. Animal control agencies also have staff trained in handling animals safely and humanely, so it’s better for them to take care of strays instead of doing it yourself if possible!

Check local laws and regulations regarding stray cats, feral cats, and adoption.

Before you make any decisions about bringing a stray kitten into your life, check local laws and regulations regarding stray cats, feral cats, and adoption. You’ll want to do this in order to make sure that taking in the kitten is legal where you live. For example, some states have bans on feeding feral cats or adopting them out of shelters.

Some cities have ordinances against feeding strays because they don’t want homeless animals coming into their towns (and they’re not wrong—many people who move into urban areas come with their pets). This can be confusing if you’ve already been caring for a stray animal: did she get there just yesterday? Or was she born outside? What about her family? Who knows! But it’s important to figure out whether your town has these kinds of rules before getting attached to any particular kitty.

Consider the cost associated with adopting a cat, including medical care if needed, supplies, food, etc.

• Consider the cost associated with adopting a cat, including medical care if needed, supplies, food, etc.

Due to the fact that cats can live 15-20 years or more, there are many costs associated with adopting them. For example:

• Medical care—this is especially important for young kittens and older cats. You may need to bring your cat in for regular checkups at the vet’s office to ensure he/she is healthy and happy.
• Supplies—every cat needs things like a litter box so he/she can go potty properly; toys (like balls and mice) so he/she can play; treats so he/she knows you love him/her; and food of course!

It’s also good to consider what it will cost when you buy pet insurance too!

Feral cats are not socialized to humans and cannot be adopted as pets but they can live healthy lives outdoors under proper care of a responsible caregiver.

• Feral cats are not socialized to humans and cannot be adopted as pets. But they can live healthy lives outdoors under proper care of a responsible caregiver.
• Feral cats are not considered pets, and must be spayed or neutered (or, in some cases, have undergone an ovariohysterectomy). This should be done before releasing the animal back into the wild where it came from.
• Feral cats should also receive regular veterinary care—more so than other outdoor animals because they live in close proximity with people (and therefore have greater exposure to disease).

Conclusion

We don’t want to discourage you from helping stray kittens, but we do want you to be prepared for any potential risks. If you are concerned about the safety of your family or pets, then we recommend contacting local animal control or rescue groups for advice before attempting a rescue on your own. Remember that feral cats cannot be adopted as pets but they can live healthy lives outdoors under proper care of a responsible caregiver!