Ask Dr Nerenberg | Health and Fitness

How can I help a slowly starving stray cat without taking it home?

Last night on the way home from picking up my brother at work we stopped at Walgreen’s to buy some milk on the way home. As I was waiting in the car I saw a small, skinny, young, grey and white cat. It looked like it had not had food and water for a while and had no tags but was domesticated. I approched the cat, which was about 1 year old and tried to pet him. he pulled away at first but then let me pet him. I was able to pick him up and wanted to take him home but my mom would not let me keep him and told me to leave it out in the cold parking lot. I later learned the next day via store employees that the cat usually hangs around the parking lot looking for food at night. I want to help this cat but can’t call animal control because they will most likely euthenize him. I do’t know of anybody who could take it in.How can I help the cat get proper nutrition and save it’s life without taking it home?

My grandma, bless her, has been doing this kind of thing ever since she’s been able to coherantly think.

If you want to help the cat, try bringing it food (and lots of it! It’s hard for strays to find food, especially in crowded areas) and water, and if you want to spoil it, some milk. Dont bring it too much milk, though, thats just a treat :] If if has no shelter, try and find a potentially hidden area to put the food down with a blanket that the cat could snuggle or feel safe with. Try giving it a few small toys that it could play with when its bored!

It can be nerve wracking and it could be putting extra expenses in your life, but strays need a home, too. Try and put up flyers, little old ladies who need some companions love older, calm cats. My grandma (as well as my mother and I, carrying on her duty in life, lol.) have fostered homes for cats for a few weeks until someone could come and orient themselves with the cat that they could love.

Pay attention to the cat for awhile (doesnt have to be long) and then bring a friend or a family member with you, so the cat will get used to humans.

It could cut into your life, but you will feel alot better about it after you’ve done it! It’s a nice, kind thing to do (especially when you have MY karma! hah)

The shelter is NOT a good place for older cats. They dont give them much adoption time, especially when they are feral, outside cats, and the poor thing will be scared to death. It will probably end up with the cat being put to sleep. Try and put flyers around grocery markets and convience stores (or wherever your little old ladies like to hang out even a vet’s office is a good place.)

Both of my cats are strays, and I feel that they are loveable, friendly beings. Getting a stray is potentially better than buying one, and many people know this, so finding a home shouldnt be too hard. From what you’ve said, the cat is rather friendly, and that is ALOT better than trying to find a home for a feral cat.

Good luck :]

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