Surrendering a Cat
What to do if a stray cat finds you?
Often we assume if a cat is hanging around our apartment building or home that it was lost or abandoned. If the cat looks well fed and healthy it may have a home nearby; often cats will make the neighborhood rounds if it is not spayed/neutered or there are regular handouts. Before you call your local animal control officer, humane society, or shelter you need to be certain the cat has truly been left to fend for him/herself. Talk to your neighbors to see if anyone knows who the cat may belong to. Post flyers around the neighborhood and on the local bulletin boards with the cat’s picture and characteristics and how to reach you. Take out a “Found” ad in your local newspaper. Look around for “Lost” signs. If it’s during the mild weather and there is little danger of predators in your area the cat can be kept comfortable outdoors while you wait to see if anyone claims him/her. Provide food and water and a place for the cat to take cover/find safety. If it’s unsafe for the cat to be outdoors then you may have to rescue the cat. Be calm, crouch down, speak softly and gently and hold out a hand for the cat to sniff before you try petting it. Always keep your hand below the cat’s head, if you try and reach over you may scare it. If possible, try to convince the cat to come to you rather than you trying to grab the cat. It may take several days of feeding a stray cat before you win its confidence. Ask your veterinarian or local animal shelter if they can scan the animal for a microchip.
Most area animal control officer’s may not be able to take in cats because they have no where to house them, or may only pick up cats that were found/are in their own town borders. Most shelters are overflowing with cats and kittens and are unable to accept any more. You may need to make many calls before you find a shelter or humane society able to take in the cat.
Surrendering a Cat
If you DO need to surrender a cat please call (802-473-3377) or email us ([email protected]) to determine if we have space at either the shelter or at a foster home. One of our intake coordinators will respond to you. Be prepared to be put on a waiting list. You can print our “Cat Surrender Application” and mail it or email it to us. We also encourage you to email us a photo of the cat and a brief description and we can post this on our web site and Facebook page. Cats CAN NOT be surrendered directly at our shelter – all surrenders must be made through coordination with one of our Intake Coordinators.