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Indoor Cat Initiative

Bringing a Previously Stray Cat Indoors

Stray cats are domestic cats who have been abandoned or have strayed from home and become lost. Strays have known human companionship and can usually be re-socialized and adopted successfully. A stray cat may be comfortable approaching you and allowing you to pet it and will return if food is left out. Feral cats are cats that have lived their whole life with little or no human contact. Adult feral cats avoid humans and cannot be re-socialized. They are more content living outdoors. Attempting to trap a cat that is feral presents a serious injury risk for inexperienced handlers. For more information on helping feral cats in your area please visit Alley Cat Allies.

The first step in adopting a stray cat is to visit your veterinarian. Visit your vet before you bring the cat into contact with your family and pets. The cat should have a physical exam, be tested for feline leukemia and FIV, be vaccinated for feline distemper and rabies and be de-wormed. If the cat is intact it should be spayed or neutered. A thorough veterinary exam is important to protect your family and other animals in the household from infectious disease.

To introduce the new cat follow the same guidelines as those for making an outdoor cat indoor-only (see Making Your Outdoor Cat Indoor-Only). Be patient, and keep the cat happy and busy to help her to re-adjust to human companions and indoor living.