stray

I have two indoor cats and a new baby. there is a scrawny tattered cat hanging around. I don't mind feeding it and perhaps putting out a shelter, but we can't take it in. Unfortunately, I can't get near it and something looks to be wrong with its ears - they sit at funny angles and one appears to be bleeding or torn. Should I call animal control and have them trap it? Perhaps then they would release it to me, but we can't take it in. Is there any way I can treat it for ear mites if I can't touch the animal? Is it better off in the hands of animal control, who may cure it but also may euthenize it?

Hi Julie,

Don't you have a local humane society you could call as opposed to the pound? The stray would have a better chance. Also it sounds as if it has a bad ear infection. If you call your local humane, they may be able to help you trap it or at least refer you to a rescue organization in the area. If they could at least trap it for you, do you have a garage or a bathroom you could leave it in while it is being checked out. Ferals are hard to medicate unless you can put the medication in their food. Ear mites can be treated with ivomec injection which avoids the daily treatment otherwise required.

Maybe if you could get help taking care of it, you could keep it outside and continue feeding it?

If you make a few phone calls, I'm sure you can find a local rescuer who may be able to take it - we are lurking all around! Even your vet may have a name. Please try to help this poor little guy - it sounds so sad!

Good luck and keep us posted.

Jeannie We Take Care of Yesterday's Kittens

I would say call your local Humae Society, Animal Shelter, Rescue Operation, whatever to see if they can put you in touch with someone who can trap the cat for you. You can then take it to the Humane Society or a low cost vet who can sedte it while examining it and testing it for FeLV/FIV (leukemia, feline aids). And if old enough, it can be altered. All this is assuming you want to help and can afford to. Good luck!

Charlene Grall 'A fellow cat rescuer'

Animal Control will certainly euthanize it outright. If you would like to save this animal, try to locate a rescuer in your area. Try Animal Control for that info, Humane Society, local vets and pet suppliers. The cat will have to be captured with a humane trap and checked for lethal disease and treated for whatever ails it. It may be a fighting tom (hence the torn ears) or may be suffering from long-term ear mites or other problems. If you are willing to offer the cat food and shelter, why not work with a rescuer to get it captured and processed (tested, sterilized, vetted) and returned? If you do that, I recommend microchipping it and registering the cat in your name, in the event it does fall into the hands of Animal Control.

If you can't find a rescuer, work with your vet and the shelter. The shelter may lend you a trap (or you can rent one). Capture the cat, cover the trap immediately, and take it straight to the vet (in the trap) for processing. If the cat tests positive for FIV/FeLv, I recommend euthanasia rather than release.

Good luck, Julie. Hope you help this poor guy out. Alley Cat Allies, by the way, offers plans on how to build a cold-weather shelter (I recommend insulating the floor of the shelter, by the way). Or you can supply a small dog house filled with straw for insulation.

Get back to me if you need support/advice.

Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats