If you encounter a situation, it is essential to take action promptly.
Start by contacting local authorities or filing a police report. Reach out to local animal control to report your concerns.
Remember, you are the voice for these animals, so don't hesitate to speak up. Be persistent in seeking help and gathering evidence from a safe distance. Avoid risking your safety or potentially harming the animals in the process. Consider contacting local prosecutors for further assistance in addressing the situation effectively.
Your actions can make a difference in ensuring the well-being of animals in need.
When you find a cat in your yard. prioritize safety by checking for identification, providing food and water, scanning for a microchip, and checking social media/local shelters for owners. If the cat is feral, do not handle; instead, use a humane trap to get it to a vet.
Here are the specific steps to take:
Assess the Cat's Condition and Behavior
* Determine if Feral or Stray: A friendly, approachable cat is likely a lost pet (stray). A terrified, hissing, or very shy cat is likely feral.
* Check for Identification: If safe, look for a collar and tag.
* Check for Ear-tipping: A notch in the left ear indicates the cat is a neutered/spayed community cat already known to a rescue group.
* Observe Physical Condition: If the cat is injured, ill, or limping, contact a local TNR organization or veterinarian immediately.
Immediate Care (If Safe)
* Provide Water: Always provide fresh water.
* Provide Food: Offer wet or dry food, but avoid milk, as it causes severe digestive issues.
* Provide Shelter: If it is cold, offer a dry, safe place to hide.
Find the Owner
* Use Social Media: Post pictures on Facebook, Nextdoor, and PawBoost.
* Check Local Reports: Look at Craigslist and local shelter "Lost & Found" databases.
* Talk to Neighbors: Inform nearby neighbors, mail carriers, and delivery drivers. * Post a sign in your yard - "FOUND CAT".
* Scan for a Microchip: Bring the cat to a vet or animal shelter to be scanned for a free microchip check.
If You Cannot Find the Owner
* File a "Found Pet" Report: Contact your local animal shelter to report the found cat, even if you keep the cat in your care.
Consider Temporary Fostering:
* If you can keep the cat, consider holding it while searching for the owner.
* Contact Rescues: Reach out to local no-kill shelters or rescue groups if you cannot care for the cat.
* Do not attempt to catch a scared or feral cat by hand—use a humane box trap to avoid injury to you or the cat.
What to do when you find kittens
If you encounter kittens without their mother, especially those who look under 8 weeks old, there are a few really important things to do before taking any action. First, watch and wait up to one full day to see if the mother returns. Mother cats sometimes leave to find food, or they may also be watching you and the kittens from a distance.
While waiting, observe the kittens to see if any are in distress. If they show signs of troubled breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, gauntness/thin bellies, excessive screaming, and/or extremely crusty eyes, call your local veterinarian for guidance or use our Resources page to find local emergency care and low cost clinics.
If the kittens seem healthy but the mother does not return by the end of the waiting period, it’s recommended to intervene appropriately based on the age and level of socialization of the kittens.
What to do when you find a cat outdoors?
The first step is to always determine whether the cat is a stray, feral/community cat, or an outdoor pet cat with a home that’s just out on a little adventure.
This is a helpful document to help assess and mitigate human allergies to cats.
Click this link: ALLERGIC TO YOUR CAT?
EMERGENCY Services
If you have a cat-related vet emergency, please get in touch with your vet or one of the following:
-Omnivet Veterinary Urgent Care (3960 W Royal Dr, TC 231-244-4860)
-BAY AREA PET HOSPITAL 24-hour care (Front St, TC 231-922-0911)
-Long Lake Animal Hospital Tuesday-Thursday Noon-8pm and Friday 2-8pm (9929 N Long Lake Road, Traverse City 231-947-2365)
WILDLIFE Emergency List - Michigan Licensed Rehabilitators (listed by county) for birds of prey, songbirds, waterfowl, fawns, raccoons, cottontail rabbits, foxes, turtles, bobcats, beavers, skunks, squirrels, opossum.
Available for your pet:
Apply - Ask your practice for their unique Cherry application link or find it here.
Get Care - Use your approved Cherry funds to pay for your treatment. When you're ready to pay, your practice will send you a checkout link.
Pay over time - Choose a plan length that fits your budget, with qualifying 0% APR options* *subject to eligibility
Find information here
Scratchpay
Find information here
Helping Owners with Pets Expenses - Grand Traverse County pet food assistance, must complete an online application
Hoops Pet Food Pantry - Located at Square Deal Country Store 11am-2pm the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month
In addition to these rescue groups below, you should always try to find help via your own network of family and friends, local humane societies, and animal control facilities, and reach out to others via social media.
Local rescue groups
-Community Cats of Benzie County, Frankfort (231) 383-3639
-Munchkins' Mission, Traverse City (231) 360-0303
-Kelly’s Kritters, Traverse City (231) 590-0924
-Cherryland Humane Society, Traverse City (231) 946-5116
-Missaukee Humane Society, Lake City (231) 839-3800
-Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, Harbor Springs (231) 347-2396
-Help from My Friends, Bellaire (231) 533-4070
-JUST CATS, INC, East Jordan (231)-674-5261
-Antrim County Animal Control, Bellaire (231)-533-6421
-Great Lakes Humane Society, Traverse City (231) 846-8293
-Northern Michigan Community Pet Center, Traverse City area, multiple sources of assistance (vet care, food, etc)
Rehoming Assistance - ADOPT-A-PET
If we cannot assist, the link below may help rehome your pet. It should be easy, safe, and stress-free both for you and your pet. Experts at Adopt-a-Pet.com have created a simple, reliable program to help you place your pet from your loving home directly to another.
You can place flyers promoting your pet at work, school, church, and other public places you frequent (with permission). Advertise through friends, neighbors, and local veterinarians. There are many rehoming groups on Facebook.
Take some good photos of your pet. Prepare a brief description/biography. How does it get along with other animals, children, and strangers? Could you describe the medical history, conditions, and medications? What are its favorite or least favorite foods, treats, and activities?
-Tractor Supply various locations - no appointment necessary - stores have select dates & times; providing vaccinations, flea/tick treatments, microchips, deworming, and select testing
-Pet Well Mobile Vet, East Jordan (231) 545-4145
-Pet Supplies Plus - Traverse City has vaccine clinics on select days (231) 888-7387
-Pet Well Mobile Vet, East Jordan (231) 545-4145
-Serenity Vet Care - serving Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties -
By appointment
Click photo for link to shelter building information:
Benzie County Animal Control & Shelter
If you require pet supplies, including dog food, cat food, dog beds, collars, feed and water bowls, canned food for dogs and cats, or litter boxes, dog kennels, please visit our shelter food pantry to explore our available resources. We are dedicated to supporting our county citizens in times of need, whether it's providing temporary assistance with pet essentials or offering ongoing support. Stop by and let us assist you.
Our hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 10:00 am-3:00 pm. Call us at (231) 882-9505.
No appointments needed, while supplies last.
