We know it can be difficult to resist bringing them to the shelter, but most community cats are perfectly fine and are being cared for by one or even multiple people in the neighborhood. It could also be an indoor/outdoor cat. If you take that cat to the shelter, you are taking someone’s beloved pet. You can provide food and water, and watch for any illness or injury to occur, but if the cat currently looks healthy we strongly recommend you leave it alone.
This actually goes for baby kittens as well. If you find a litter of kittens in the bushes or under your deck, just leave them there and watch them. The mother cat is probably out hunting. If the babies start crying, and don’t stop for several hours, THEN pick them up and bring them in. If you have already picked them up, don’t worry, just go put them back. Your smell will do no harm.
If the cat is seriously injured, your local animal control may come get it, but if you are able to take a sick or injured cat to the vet yourself, that’s even better. Be sure to create a found report regardless. During this time, we need to reserve city shelter space for homeless animals coming from COVID-19 positive homes, so we need to resist bringing healthy community cats in. Send a good picture to the animal shelter so they can include it with your found animal report.
