First of all, let me clarify one thing for everyone: not all stray cats can be brought home!
Many stray cats are no longer suitable for humans to keep in captivity at home, because their habits of growing up have formed fixed logical habits. If they are forcibly brought home, it is not only extremely difficult, but also harmful to each other. Therefore, this is why foreign countries conduct TNR on some stray cats that are not suitable for adoption!
TNR: It is a humane management method that replaces euthanasia and reduces the number of stray dogs and cats. TNR involves performing sterilization surgery to prevent reproduction.
Secondly, adult stray cats cannot be adopted, but are differentiated based on their habits and origins, and age is not the only criterion.
Sometimes when it comes to adopting stray cats, many people’s thoughts are that stray cats can only be adopted as infants, preferably under three months old. Stray cats over six months old are basically unable to be properly adopted. However, this is not the case, such as adult stray cats who actively go missing, adult stray cats who frequently come into contact with humans during their childhood and have a personality that is very adaptable to human interaction, and stray cats that have been sterilized and are not very wild These stray cats can actually be properly adopted by people.
Now that we have clarified the above two points, the next step is how to correctly take the stray kitten home!
- First, establish a good relationship with the cat
Although stray cats are ownerless, it does not mean that you can easily bring them home. Stray cats are very vigilant. Remember not to approach them rashly, otherwise it is easy to scratch you and leave a bad impression in their hearts. So we can only rely on gradual contact, let them relax their vigilance towards you, and finally trust you. You can bring some snacks, canned fish, and other things first to build a good relationship with it. If it’s a kitten that has just left its mother and is still nursing, then bring it home quickly.
- Confirm if the cat wants to go home with you
If you feed or stroke a cat, it will always follow you, meow, rub around you, and even roll over in front of you. This stray cat wants to go home with you.
Some stray cats will let you touch them and eat what you give them, but when you leave, they won’t follow you or even look at you. These stray cats have been accustomed to a carefree lifestyle for a long time and have become accustomed to foraging alone in the wild. They are very wary of humans and find it difficult to adapt to indoor life. Therefore, they tend to live in their own territory in the wild.
- Get ready to take away the necessary tools for cats!
Scratch resistant gloves and sleeves: When petting or interacting with cats, some small actions may cause you to be scratched by the cat, so it is necessary to prepare protective tools such as scratch resistant gloves to protect yourself.
Cat bag or cat cage: On the way home to pick up a cat, the cat may become scared due to the large number of people or unfamiliar environment, which may cause accidental injury to you. Therefore, you can open the cat bag or cage and put the cat inside, which can prevent the cat from running away in fear and ensure your own safety.
- Stray cats need to undergo various examinations before they can be brought home.
The stray cats have already been packed in their cat bags, so should we take them home directly? No, you’re overthinking it, because there’s another very important step, which is to check the cat!
Generally, stray cats may have a series of minor health problems, such as malnutrition, excessive moss, parasites, and so on. At this time, the poop removal officer needs to first give the cat a comprehensive examination, including blood routine, stool test, etc., to confirm its condition before taking it home. Of course, deworming and other procedures can be done directly at the hospital, and regular vaccinations can be scheduled because keeping a cat is almost a long-term thing, and getting vaccinated is necessary!
When there are no issues with these four points, the poop scooper can harvest a satisfied kitten, but often, it’s not that we choose stray cats, but that stray cats choose us. If a stray cat is attracted to you, even if you don’t want to keep it, it will come home with you. And if this cat is not destined for you, even if you forcibly trap it, it may still exhibit strong aggressive behavior towards you.