Community Corner
What To Do With a Stray, Pregnant Cat?
Northeast Animal Shelter has seen more pregnant cats than usual this season. Find out how you can help.
has been seeing many stray pregnant cats.
With so many situations involving pregnant cats, Northeast is providing some tips in case you find a pregnant cat in need of care.
The following tips are from the shelter:
Cat overpopulation continues to be a problem in New England, as many are not spayed or neutered. Spring is when many unspayed cats become pregnant, which is particularly difficult for strays. With the warmer weather, people will begin finding more cats outdoors. In the last week of February, the Northeast Animal Shelter received ten requests to place pregnant cats in foster care, all from the Salem/Lynn area.
What should I do if I find a stray cat?
Check the cat for a collar with tags; check local media outlets for missing cat ads; and contact local veterinarians and animal shelters to see if the cat has been reported lost.
Should I contact animal control?
Local animal control resources are stretched thin, and mostly focus on dogs. But it can’t hurt to place a call to see if anyone has reported a missing cat. Be sure to call the animal control officer for the town where you found the animal.
Should I plan to hold onto the cat? Can I bring her to Northeast or to another shelter?
NEAS and other area shelters are very busy taking stray animals and facilitating adoptions. It is best to call and make an appointment in order to avoid a long wait time.
What happens if it is a cat we can help?
NEAS will test the cat for feline diseases and evaluate its temperament to determine its potential for adoption. If it is adoptable, in most cases, the cat will require a vaccination that takes one week to take effect, then the cat can be housed at the shelter. Individuals who bring us a cat are asked to keep the cat during this one week period if possible. If this is not possible, we can arrange foster care in some cases.
What happens if it is a cat we can’t help?
If a cat is feral (wild) and cannot be approached, or tests positive for a particular feline disease, we will refer individuals to other organizations better suited to help the animal.
What are our costs to take in a stray cat?
It costs the shelter approximately $100-125 to provide the medical care necessary to make a stray cat ready for adoption.
How does foster care work?
To be eligible, volunteers need a separate room in which to keep the cat, even if it is a bathroom. Other pets must be up to date on all vaccinations. For those who haven't had a cat before, remember to make household cleaning products inaccessible and watch out for electrical cords, which cats may chew on. Also, be aware that some household plants such as philodendron and poinsettia are poisonous to cats. If you are interested in providing foster care, please contact the Northeast Animal Shelter at 978-745-9888 for an application.
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