Found Cats
Thank you for wanting to help this cat. Most cats do not have to be brought into the shelter to be rehomed -- they already have a home! They are perfectly happy living in their colonies and neighborhoods. If a cat is healthy, it has found food and shelter and will be able to continue to thrive on its own.
Instead, free-roaming cats and the neighborhoods they live in can benefit from Trap Neuter Return (TNR), where cats can be humanely trapped, brought in to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated, receive an ear-tip so we know they have already been sterilized, and be returned to their communities.
For more information about community cats, you can click here.
What To Do if You've Found Kittens
If you've found kittens, don't Kit-nap them! Newborn and young kittens under 6 weeks of age are not able to care for themselves and require round-the-clock care from mom in order to survive. If you find a litter of kittens outdoors, follow the tips here to determine whether they actually need help or not.
What to Do if You've Found an Adult Cat
Does the cat have an ear tip?
Please leave the cat where it is, as it likely lives there or will return home on its own. Ear-tipped cats have caretakers and have already been spay/neutered and vaccinated. Even if the cat does not have an ear tip, do not take the cat into your home or move it unless it is sick or injured. You may place cat food and/or water out for the cat, but do not feed cats or kittens milk.
Does the cat have a tag or other contact info?
There may be owner or veterinarian contact information on its collar.
Check with your neighbors.
Cats tend to stay close to home. Walk around the neighborhood and see if anyone recognizes it. Knock on neighbors' doors to see if they recognize the cat. Again, most cats are found close to where they belong.
Snap a few good photos of the cat.
Snap a few good photos of the cat, including the face and body. Make sure to leave the collar on and feature identifying marks. Don't alter the appearance of the cat --this includes grooming.
Upload a photo of the cat’s face to the Petco Love Lost.
Petco Love Lost uses facial recognition to match lost and found pets. If an owner has posted a photo of their lost dog, Petco Love Lost will connect you.
Share a flyer on social media.
After you upload the cat's photos to Petco Love Lost, you'll be able to create a flyer for them. This flyer will include a QR code instead of your personal contact information, so your information will still be secure. Post this flyer to lost and found pet groups on Facebook, Nextdoor, and other social media.
Take the cat to an animal hospital or pet supply store.
Take the cat to an animal hospital or pet supply store to scan for a microchip. Even if there is no owner information, a microchip may have additional information that can help track the owner. Be sure to document the microchip number and manufacturer for further research, if needed.
Still unable to find the owner?
Call 702-955-5932 or email The Animal Foundation (lostandfound@animalfoundation.com) for further assistance. Tell us if the cat is sick or injured. You may be asked to make an appointment to bring the found cat to the shelter, which you can do at the button below.
REQUEST A FOUND CAT APPOINTMENT
Do you live in Henderson, Boulder City, or Nye County?
If you live in Henderson, Boulder City, or Nye County and find a lost pet, you will need to contact your local shelter for next steps.
For more information about found pets in Henderson, click here.
For more information about found pets in Boulder City, click here.
For more information about found pets in Nye County, click here.