Cats Protection’s tips if you think you’ve found a stray cat:

Before you do anything, it is important to think about whether the cat you’ve found is a stray, a feral, or an owned cat. If it appears well-groomed and is a healthy weight, it may have an owner nearby.

Avoid feeding the cat unless it is particularly underweight as this will only encourage the cat to come back, even if it has an owner!

If the cat is friendly to approach, check the collar for identification tags. If there are no visible signs of ownership, take the cat to your nearest vet’s to scan for a microchip, or call

Cats Protection’s contact centre on

03000 12 12 12 for advice (lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).

If the cat is chipped and the microchip details are up-to-date then it should be possible to reunite them.

A lost cat might be nervous, particularly if it is sick or injured. Approach with care by carefully covering the cat in a blanket before picking them up and putting them in a cat basket.

This keeps them safe, as well as protecting you from claws!

If the cat is injured, you can take it to your nearest veterinary practice immediately. Vets provide emergency treatment and care to sick or injured animals at no cost to the finder.

If you’re worried about a stray cat’s health, contact the following on their emergency numbers: RSPCA (England and Wales) 0300 1234 999, USPCA (Northern Ireland) 028 3025 1000 or SSPCA (Scotland) on 03000 999 999.