Found Cat?
If you see a cat outdoors you need to determine its status.
Beginning to feed is the best way to be able to proceed with steps below.
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Is it feral?
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Does the cat have an ear-tip?
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A free-roaming fixed cat helped through a TNR program is typically identified by its left ear being trimmed during spay/neuter surgery. The left ear will be flat vs pointed. The cat will not have symmetrical ears. The tip will be surgical looking. Do not mistake it for frost bite or a fight wound.
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If the cat is running from you, it is most likely either a cat born to a feral mother or a cat that was once owned and friendly but now has been outside so long that it has become fearful and presents as feral. If a cat is presenting as feral, the best thing you can do in addition to beginning to feed it, offer it shelter and get it fixed through a local TNR program.
Is it friendly?
If the cat is friendly it is likely either a lost pet, a pet that has been put outside for some reason, or a pet that is allowed to roam free.
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You will want to first determine what type of help the cats needs. Here is where to check to see if someone has reported their pet missing. Clicking on the links provided will bring you to each individual website.
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Post signs around the neighborhood
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Walk/Drive the neighborhood; knock on doors, having a picture available on your phone is helpful. We recommend at least a 4 block radius.
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Facebook Page for your section.
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Nextdoor
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Check for a microchip. Most veterinarians can check a found cat for a microchip at no cost.
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Unfortunately less than 2% of cats outside are actually being looked for by an owner. The majority are tossed out or feral community cats. Once you have checked the above resources spending too much more time looking for the owner is not necessary. Most likely if the owner is looking it will be found in these places. In the time you think about who the cat might belong to, it will be breeding and making more of a mess for you, the rescuer.