It is common to find a stray cat when you are walking down the street, in a park, or perhaps even one that has sneaked into your garden. Given this situation, if you are a lover of kittens, it is more than likely that you will try to get their attention to see if they will allow themselves to be petted. And there are those who wonder if they can take their new feline friend home with them.
The truth is that adopting a cat that you find on the street is not as simple as picking it up and taking it home. There are a whole series of considerations that you must take into account so that the process is positive for you and the animal, as well as for it to be safe and legal.
The first thing you should do when you find a cat on the street, if your intention is to adopt it, is to try to get it to approach you and not the other way around. If he has been living on the streets for a long time, has been abandoned or mistreated by his previous owners, he may distrust people and even be aggressive. Crouch down to be less intimidating, avoid sudden movements, and speak in a calm tone. Generally, if you have food on hand this will make it easier for the animal to approach you.
Next, if the cat allows itself to be caught, it is imperative that you take it to the vet. If they do not allow themselves to be caught, you can call by phone to request that they come to the scene, although this is not always possible. A veterinary check-up is essential for several reasons. First of all, it is necessary to verify using the microchip that it is truly a stray cat and that it is not a domestic cat that has escaped or lost, in which case its owners should be contacted.
If the cat does not have a family, you can adopt it and you must microchip it and register it at the veterinarian. Likewise, the veterinarian will check his health status, as he may have problems derived from street life such as parasites, wounds or some disease. They will have to deworm it, vaccinate it and schedule a sterilization.
Once the adoption and health check process is complete, you will be able to take him home. There you have to leave the animal free to explore the environment. Do not pressure or overwhelm it, give it space and be patient, the animal will be the one to approach you when it is ready. Make sure he has a bed, a scratching post, toys, food and drink.
Little by little, through games, affection, soft words and offering food, you will gain the animal's trust. In this respect, kittens adapt to domestic life more easily than an adult stray cat, but if you are patient it is not impossible. If it is excessively complicated or problems arise, you can ask an ethologist or expert cat educator for help.
