Now that Christmas is over, in a relatively short period you could be seeing a number of stray cats in your area. If you find that you have some that seem to be hanging out in your back garden there are a number of things that you can do to help them:
1. Check the cat to see if it’s wearing a collar with ID tag – if it’s a young cat then it is possible that it’s lost and someone is looking for it.
2. Feed them! If you can afford to buy a box of dried food, or a can of cat food, plus put out fresh water for the cat(s) then at least you know that they aren’t starving.
3. Provide shelter. This can be as simple as a cardboard box turned away from the elements. If you have an old blanket, towel or sweater that could provide some warmth against the winter wind, the cat will appreciate it!
4. Call your local veterinary clinic and ask for the telephone number of the local Cat Protection League. Ring them and let them know that you have a stray in your garden. They will probably want to know how long it’s been there, and if you have any idea how old it is.
Stray cats can pull on the heartstrings, especially if they are young and it’s very possible that the one that you’re watching over will wriggle its way into your affection, but consider the consequences of having a cat before taking on responsibility for it – you need to make sure that you have the finances, and the time, to first make sure that it’s nourished correctly and is healthy after its time spent un-homed, then if it is a kitten it will need the necessary vaccinations plus it ought to be spayed if your veterinary discovers that this hasn’t been done. If you have contacted the Cat Protection League prior to offering a home to the stray cat, they may be able to help with the financing of this procedure.
Although stray cats are a common sight all year around, it’s in the weeks following Christmas that those bought for as gifts find themselves suddenly homeless because of no fault of their own, and as these are usually less sturdy then more worldly outdoor cats, any help you can give them will help them survive to adulthood.