Someone's cat has adopted me!

For two days now, a cat has been sat on my doorstep and is meowing outside our door. I don't think the cat is a stray as it looks well cared for but doesn't have a collar. I can't let the cat in my house (we have a dog) so does anyone have any advice as to what I should do? Do I feed it? Help!

He may have a micro chip. Can you trap him and take him to your vet or shelter to be checked for a micro chip?

If you can't get him trapped, you can also buy him a cheap breakaway collar and attach an "Is this your cat? Please call XXX-XXX-XXXX" note to it. Use food to bribe him close enough to attach the collar. Then at least you'll know who he belongs to. You can also post an ad in the pet section of Craigslist/ or Lost & Found section. Someone is probably looking for him.

mazie said:

He may have a micro chip. Can you trap him and take him to your vet or shelter to be checked for a micro chip?

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This what I would do, too. If there's no microchip, I would post fliers around about a found cat (with no pictures) and my contact information. If someone calls to ask about the cat, I'd ask them to describe the cat to me instead of the other way around. As previously mentioned, you can also post an ad under the lost and found section on Craigslist but again, I'd refrain from putting a picture up with the ad. There are a lot of crazies out there who would hurt a cat or worse. It's better to be safe than sorry. I'd also ask the vet's office or rescue organization that I took the cat to for a scan for a microchip if they would be willing to put up a found cat flier in their facility in case someone goes there looking for the cat. Thank you for caring about this little one.

hahahannxh said:

For two days now, a cat has been sat on my doorstep and is meowing outside our door. I don't think the cat is a stray as it looks well cared for but doesn't have a collar. I can't let the cat in my house (we have a dog) so does anyone have any advice as to what I should do? Do I feed it? Help!

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The action depends on, if you are sure its a neigbours cat whom fancy you.  OR if you dont know, but suspect he got dumped or got astray.

A dumped  or astray cat, you should help him immediately.  As its the first days alone which are the most dangerous, and the death ration is high.  Later on he gets emaciated and weak, and easy prey for any predator. etc....  Unless he has a superb immune system, and has some street smartness.  If so, he may survive on his own, and sometimes even thrive.  But most do perish.

You essetially help him as you can (taking inside if you can and wish, otherwise feeding outside)   AND actively seek after owners, IF he got astray.

Its NOT enough to "have your eyes open" and see and wait.

If he got dumped, you wont find legitime owners - so you must use some discretion, as told above.  But if he got astray, the owners are probably seeking him too, and will be relieved and happy everything is OK and he got help.

If you think he is a homeless semiferale, the action depends on entirely on you.  Its a praiseworthy  deed to grab the chance and help when he is actually seeking help. But its not the same dire hurry as with an abandoned cat.

I'm agreeing with what everyone has said here.

Just wanted to add that, if this he is homeless it's worth noting that cats and dogs can get on really well..