Found a cat? How to find the owner safely
Not every cat outdoors is lost — many are owned cats roaming their normal territory. A found cat report on Pet Social is the quick way to check before you take a cat away from its home.
Step by step
- 1Look for a collar, tag or a QR pet tag before doing anything else.
- 2Post a found cat report with a photo and approximate location.
- 3If the cat looks healthy and relaxed, leave it where it is and let the report do the searching.
- 4If it's thin, injured or in danger, contain it safely and have it scanned for a microchip at a vet.
- 5Confirm the owner in chat, then arrange a safe collection.
Is the cat actually lost?
A clean coat, healthy weight and confident behaviour usually mean the cat is owned and close to home. Posting a found cat report first avoids accidentally 'rescuing' a neighbour's pet.
Handling a frightened cat
Don't corner or grab a scared cat. Use a carrier or a quiet room, offer water, and keep it away from your own pets. A vet can scan for a microchip for free.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if I find a cat with no collar?
Post a found cat report on Pet Social with a photo and approximate location and have the cat scanned for a microchip at any vet.
Should I feed a found cat?
Water is safer than food. If the cat appears owned, feeding may keep it away from its real home.
Join the Pet Social community
Free to post, free to search, and every first conversation stays private inside the app.