I Found a cat

Due to a large feral cat population and a substantial population of domestic cats that roam on public property,  it can be difficult to determine how best to help a cat that appears lost. At the Moose Jaw Humane Society, cats are divided into four categories. These categories do not have solid boundaries and one cat can often fit into several categories. Understanding the differences helps determine what care a particular cat requires.

• Are not accustomed to the outdoors; often found hiding, scared, hungry and difficult to approach
  
  
• Will not have roamed too far from its home
  
  
• Start to lose weight over time; their coats will begin to get dull/matted and unhealthy looking
  
  
• Often have injuries such as scratches, breaks or frostbite
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• Are 10 times more likely to find their way home if left in their neighbourhood than if they are brought to the Humane Society
  

​It is best to monitor the cat’s situation, talk to neighbours and if it begins to look distressed, contact the Humane Society. Keeping this cat in your home is unnecessary and significantly reduces the chance of it ever returning home. 

• Will be familiar with roaming outdoors and are comfortable in their surroundings
  
  
• Will be in healthy condition and are likely very friendly and approachable
  
  
• Roam large territory and may have specific places they visit often
  

A cat with a collar and a bell is often a good sign that its owners know it is out. You should only contact the Humane Society to bring the cat in if it is injured, unhealthy or a nuisance on  your property.

• Once lived in a home but were lost, abandoned or otherwise forced to survive on their own. Their behaviours are somewhere between owned outdoor cats and feral cats.
  
  
• May still be approachable, but are likely more skittish and no longer used to being picked up or handled.
  
  
• May form small colonies or live by themselves.
  
  
• May have adapted to outdoor life quite well and be in healthy condition.
  
  
• May still rely on neighbourhood people to feed them and provide shelter and may become ill or injured.
  

These cats should be monitored and if injured, unhealthy in appearance or a nuisance on your property than contact the Moose Jaw Humane Society. Rehabilitation into a new home may be possible in some circumstances, but should be done through the proper process.

• Are born wild or have not had human interaction for a significant period of time
  
  
• Are completely self-sufficient and rarely have injuries, frostbite or are malnourished
  
  
• Do not allow themselves to be handled or touched by humans and will back away or run when approached
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• Remain fairly hidden and are nocturnal in nature, living in colonies in one territory with a sufficient source of shelter, food and water
  

Please contact the Moose Jaw Humane Society before bringing these cats to our facility. Feral cats cannot be rehabilitated into domestic cats. Feral kittens can be brought in at approximately two months of age, once they are no longer dependent on their mother’s milk. However, an appointment must be made in advance.

The Moose Jaw Humane Society does not capture stray and at-large cats, but does lend humane traps to residents between May 1 and October 15 (weather dependent).

Cat traps can be rented from the Moose Jaw Humane Society on a first come, first served basis.

It is illegal to put an animal in distress, so you will need to check the trap frequently and will have to provide food, water and shelter for the trapped cat until it can be brought to the Moose Jaw Humane Society. The trap may not be set after October 1 or before March 1. The cat must also not be injured by the method you use to trap and transport it. Please contact the SPCA during business hours to book an appointment to bring the cat to the facility. ​