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Need help with an outdoor cat?

Pounce provides guidance, resources and support to help care for outdoor cats. 

Cute Cat
I found a sick/injured cat.
Gray Kitten in the Town Square
I found a kitten.
Cats on the Street
I'm feeding outdoor cats.
Stray cat lying on train railways in Vietnam
I found a cat outside.

Need more help?   Contact us.

Pounce helps outdoor cats through our Trap-Neuter-Return program.

Trap-Neuter-Release is a proven strategy that allows these cats to live out their lives healthily and peacefully without adding to the number of homeless kittens.

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To learn more about TNR, visit Pounce's TNR program page.

I FOUND A SICK/INJURED CAT.

Caring for a sick or injured outdoor cat requires planned action. Never trap a cat without a prior care plan established with a veterinarian.

 

The best approach to long-term community cat health is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), which includes vaccinations and preventative treatments. ​Visit our TNR program page for more information and resources.

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1. Contact a veterinarian. Search for local resources for veterinary care at https://gethelp.alleycat.org/resources. 

  • Contact a veterinarian BEFORE attempting to trap the cat.

  • If the cat needs emergency care (such as respiratory distress, open wounds, immobility, constant vomiting/diarrhea or severe lethargy) contact an emergency veterinary facility. 

  • Do not consider euthanasia unless the cat is in a terminal condition.

  • Ask about the clinic's policy for treating community (feral) cats and their euthanasia policy.

2. Safely trap the cat.

  • Be creative with trapping, using enticing bait (like canned mackerel) and covering the trap for comfort and safety.

  • Add comfort padding (a thick towel or blanket) to the trap before the cat is caught.

  • Immediately cover the trap after capture and transport the cat directly to the vet. Never open the trap or carrier until the veterinarian is ready.

3. Plan for recovery and medication.

  • Any indoor recovery must be for the shortest length of time possible to minimize stress, ideally in a large, temperature-controlled feral cat recovery cage with a den or carrier inside for hiding.

  • When medicating a community cat, prioritize a hands-off approach. Ask the vet for liquid, powder, or granule medications that can be mixed into a small dollop of wet food, ensuring the correct cat is monitored and eats the full dose.

What NOT to Do:

  • Do NOT bring a sick or injured community cat indoors without consulting a veterinarian.

  • Do NOT medicate cats with DIY remedies, human medications, or medications intended for other animals.

  • Do NOT give supplements without consulting a veterinarian first.

I FOUND A KITTEN.

Found a tiny feline friend outdoors? Before jumping into action, take a moment to assess the situation—your careful steps will ensure the little one receives the best possible chance at a healthy life.

 

Please use the chart below to determine the best course of action.

I'M FEEDING OUTDOOR CATS.

The most important part of feeding is actually fixing!  Ensure all cats in the colony are spayed and neutered as quickly as possible. This process, known as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), is essential because:

  • It stops the rapid growth of the colony (which can quickly quadruple in size).

  • It eliminates problematic behaviors associated with mating, such as howling, fighting, and spraying.

 

Visit our TNR program page for more information and resources.

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Tips for Feeding Stations and Outdoor Cat Care

  • Monitor the colony

    • After feeding, move away and observe the cats for several minutes to see who shows up, who is ear-tipped, and their general condition.

    • Keep a log of the cats (descriptions, spay/neuter status) and monitor how much food is eaten daily, as a sudden change in consumption can indicate newcomers, a pregnant mother, or a developing health issue.

  • Schedule feeds

    • Feed once a day at the same time each day, preferably at daybreak or dusk (but switch to daytime if predators like coyotes are active).

    • Have food available for only 30 minutes to an hour; pick up all leftover food after this time to monitor intake and deter wildlife and pests.

  • Feed with health in mind

    • Canned food is closest to a cat's natural diet, but dry food is often easier to manage, especially since wet food can freeze in winter or attract more pests in summer.

    • Ensure fresh water is available daily.

    • Keep the entire feeding station thoroughly clean to prevent health risks and deter pests.

    • Use the "moat" method (placing the food bowl inside a baking pan with an inch of water) to prevent ants and other pests from invading the food.

    • Search for local cat food banks at https://gethelp.alleycat.org/resources. 

I FOUND A CAT OUTSIDE.

If you encounter a cat outdoors, first determine if the cat is lost, abandoned or a healthy, established outdoor community cat. The best approach is to only intervene if necessary, prioritizing keeping healthy cats out of the shelter system and ensuring the cat is sterilized.

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  • Do Not Take the Cat to a Shelter: Shelter intake can lead to euthanasia for healthy cats, as the average reclamation rate for felines has been under 5% for decades.

  • Determine Need for Intervention:

    • Cats in distress (yowling, scared, sick, or injured) need immediate help. Contact your local veterinary clinic. See our information about caring for sick/injured outdoor cats (include link). 

    • Healthy cats (good weight, nice coat, confident body language) are likely cared for by someone in the community and should be left in place unless a nuisance issue arises.

  • Perform Detective Work to Find the Owner/Caregiver:

    • Check for a Microchip: Have the cat scanned, but be aware that contact details may not be updated.

    • Use Community Tools: Post photos and information on apps like Nextdoor.

    • Post Flyers: Create and hang flyers around the neighborhood.

    • Talk to Neighbors: The fastest and most effective way is to knock on doors and speak to residents with an open mind and respect.

  • Prioritize Spay/Neuter treatment:

    • If the cat has no identification, the first thing to do is ensure they are fixed. Many nuisance issues—fighting, yowling, spraying, kittens—trace back to unsterilized cats.

    • Visit our Trap-Neuter-Return program page for more information and resources.

  • Mitigate Nuisance Issues:

    • Address neighbor complaints by offering solutions, as most people "hate the situation, not the cats."

    • Solutions include using car covers, placing plastic carpet runners (spiked side up) in gardens, or scattering deterrent scents like fresh orange/lemon rinds or eucalyptus oil.

    • If birds are a concern, place tall feeders near trees and keep the base trimmed to reduce hiding spots for cats.

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