Roaming Cats

While it may be concerning to see a cat(s) roaming your neighborhood, we recommend leaving these cats where they are unless they appear sick, injured, or pregnant. If they they appear sick, injured, or pregnant, please bring them to us for evaluation. If the cat appears healthy, it may have a home nearby.  Nationwide, less than 2% of stray cats brought to shelters are reunited with their owners.

We understand that free-roaming cats can cause problems; however, instead of displacing an owned cat from their family and neighborhood, here are some other options to try first:

1. Talk to Neighbors: Start by asking around your neighborhood to see if anyone recognizes the cat. Cats often have larger roaming areas than we expect, and their owner might live just a few houses away.
2. Post Online: Share a photo and description of the cat on local community boards, social media groups, or neighborhood apps. This can quickly reach a wider audience and help identify if the cat has a home.
3. Use a Paper Collar: We can provide you with a paper collar to place on the cat. These collars will give instructions on how to use them, and they’ve already proven successful! 
4. Monitor the Cat’s Condition: If the cat looks healthy and well-fed, it’s a good sign they’re doing fine outdoors. Keep an eye on them to see if they’re still around or if their condition changes, of course if they become sick or injured we are here to help.
5. Provide Outdoor Shelter: If you’re concerned about the weather, we have an easy guide on building a simple outdoor shelter that cats love. It can offer them extra comfort without disrupting their familiar environment. But most cats are adapted to Montana’s tough winters.
6. Concerned about your property/garden? Check out these helpful resources for humane cat deterrents!
7. Paper Collars: If you’ve noticed a wandering cat in your neighborhood and want to determine whether it has an owner, using a paper collar is a simple and effective method. Paper collars are a safe, temporary way to help reunite lost cats with their families before taking further steps, such as scanning for a microchip or contacting local shelters.

If you need assistance with spaying and neutering free roaming cats, please reach out to Katie at kaxline@lchsmontana.org for Trap, Neuter, Release Services. To learn more about TNR, please view our TNR page here.