Stray Cats: How to Rescue Them

First of all—thank you for caring enough to help a stray cat. At Sydney’s Lounge, we absolutely adore cats. We love welcoming them into our care, and it warms our hearts when others join us in this mission.

In this guide, we’re answering one of the most common questions we get: “How do I safely trap or rescue a stray cat?”

While it might sound simple—“Just feed them and they’ll stay”—it’s not always that easy. Our ultimate goal is to help the cat become part of a safe, loving home. Below, we’ll share practical tips to help you make that rescue and adoption journey a success.

Health Comes First

The cat’s condition will guide your next steps. Look closely—does the cat appear healthy, or do you notice any injuries or illness? Even if the cat looks fine, it’s important to get them to a veterinarian as soon as you can.

If you see severe injuries, deep wounds, or signs of pain, your priority is immediate veterinary care. Approach the cat using a blanket or cloth to gently cover them, then place them in a spacious carrier or ventilated box (make sure a closed box has air holes).

If its necessary first the medical attention then go check the last paragraph of this article “Contact an animal shelter”

Good or bad behavior?

If the kitten shows no severe signs of poor health, the following tips will be very useful. The first thing you should do before trying to catch it is to observe its behavior.

Is he friendly, or is he keeping his distance? If it’s friendly, start building trust with food and fresh water. If it’s feral, you’ll need to take extra precautions—we’ll talk about that shortly.

Check for a collar or any ID tags—it’s possible they belong to a neighbor. Posting flyers with the cat’s photo around your neighborhood can help reunite them with their family.

You can also tell if a cat might have a home by how confidently they move around the area. Cats that know their territory will navigate easily. In contrast, if they seem scared, disoriented, or withdrawn, they may be lost.

If you try to pet him, use a calm voice and slow, gentle movements.

Avoid overfeeding—even if they’re very hungry, it’s better to go slowly to prevent stomach upset.

Tips for Trapping a Stray Cat

Indeed, sometimes, all it takes is providing regular food and water, and the cat will start staying near you—some will even walk right into your home. 

Keep these tips in mind:

• Use food or treats—place them at the entrance to encourage the cat to enter. You may leave these several days, the point here is to start to build trust. Maybe by the second or third week the cat may start to come around.

  
  

  This is not an exact amount of days, it all depends on how sociable the cat is and  the consistency you put into feeding him.

  
  

  You know you’re gaining his trust because he will wait for you in the spot where you leave the food and water everyday.

  
  

• Take it to the vet, at this point it's going to be easier to take it and put it in a pet carrier or special travel bags for cats.

Other times, you may need to use a humane trap (designed not to harm the cat) to safely move him and provide everything he needs. 

• Use a humane trap only if necessary. Many shelters or rescue groups can loan you one, or you can purchase one at a home supply store.

• Never leave a trap unattended—cats can injure themselves trying to escape.

• Cover the trap with a towel to help keep the cat calm by blocking their view outside.

• Line the trap with paper for easier cleanup if they relieve themselves inside.

• If you remove them from the trap, release them into a small, enclosed space (like a bathroom) until you can safely transfer them.

Be Patient!

Rescuing a stray cat is not instant—it’s about earning trust and giving them time to adapt. We even have another article full of adaptation tips to help both you and your new friend adjust to a happy, healthy routine.

“Welcome to your new home!”

After gaining its trust, take it to the vet and decide if you really want to adopt it. It's important to consider if you have other pets already living at home.

Always start with isolation in a safe, contained room. This helps the new cat feel secure and reduces the chance it’ll try to run off if it has free roam right away.

Also, consider your current pets’ temperament—are they friendly toward newcomers? The very first meeting should always be supervised.

Be sure to have a special blanket, bed, or toy for the kitten—something it can start interacting with and slowly begin to feel is its own.

Is It Okay to Rescue a Feral Cat?

Feral cats often have a tipped ear—a universal sign they’ve been spayed/neutered—and usually avoid all human contact.

We generally don’t recommend adopting feral cats, as they prefer life without close human interaction, and adapting them to a home can be slow and stressful for both sides.

What you can do is provide food and water if they allow it. If you find a feral cat without a tipped ear, try to trap them and bring them to the proper authorities for identification and care.

While most shelters may not be able to pick them up, they can give you guidance on trapping, spay/neuter services, and returning them to their familiar territory.

Contact an Animal Shelter

If you want to take the cat first to the Vet, Contact us, at Sydney's Sanctuary  CHECK MAP we have Veterinary Partners that can help in these situations. 

If you decide you can’t keep the cat, please don’t send them back to the streets. Call us or reach out to your nearest cat rescue organization.

If adopting permanently isn’t possible, giving them a temporary safe place can still be life-changing—it gives them the chance to find their forever family.

If you’d like to help more cats, we’d love your support—here’s our Donation Link. At Sydney’s Lounge, we truly believe there’s a loving home waiting for every single cat we rescue.