Finding a stray cat can tug at your heartstrings, prompting the desire to offer it a safe and loving home. However, sometimes, directly integrating a stray into your household isn’t feasible. This leads to the question: can you bring a stray cat to PetSmart, hoping they’ll find it a forever home? The answer, as with many aspects of animal welfare, is nuanced and requires understanding PetSmart’s role in animal adoptions.
PetSmart’s Partnership with Local Shelters and Rescue Organizations
PetSmart, a well-known pet supply retailer, doesn’t directly take in stray animals in the traditional sense. Instead, they operate through a highly effective partnership model with local animal shelters and rescue organizations. This means that the animals you see available for adoption in PetSmart stores aren’t owned or managed by PetSmart itself. Rather, they are under the care and responsibility of these partner organizations.
PetSmart provides space within their stores to these organizations, allowing them to showcase adoptable cats and kittens. This partnership offers significant benefits: increased visibility for adoptable animals, convenient locations for potential adopters, and a supportive environment that encourages responsible pet ownership.
These partnered shelters and rescues are responsible for all aspects of the animal’s care, including medical attention, vaccinations, and ensuring the cat is healthy and ready for adoption. They also conduct the adoption screenings and processes, making the final decision about who is best suited to provide a loving home.
What to Do if You Find a Stray Cat: A Step-by-Step Guide
Discovering a stray cat can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps can greatly improve its chances of finding its way back home or finding a new one.
Ensuring the Cat’s Safety and Well-being
Your immediate priority should be the cat’s safety. Observe the cat from a distance initially, noting its behavior and overall health. Is it injured? Does it appear friendly or frightened? If the cat seems injured or unwell, cautiously approach it and consider contacting animal control or a local veterinarian for guidance.
If the cat appears healthy but disoriented, provide it with fresh water and food in a safe location, such as a sheltered porch or garage. This offers the cat a temporary haven while you investigate further.
Checking for Identification
Before assuming the cat is truly a stray, check for any identification. Look for a collar with an ID tag. If there is one, contact the owner immediately. If there is no visible tag, consider taking the cat to a veterinarian or local shelter to be scanned for a microchip. Microchipping is a common practice, and many lost pets are reunited with their owners this way.
Contacting Local Shelters and Rescue Organizations
Contacting local animal shelters and rescue organizations is a crucial step. Report the found cat and provide them with a detailed description and location where you found it. They may have a record of a missing cat matching the description. Additionally, they can offer advice on how to proceed.
Posting “Found Cat” Notices
Utilize online platforms and physical postings to spread the word about the found cat. Post on social media groups dedicated to lost and found pets in your area. Create flyers with a clear photo of the cat, its description, and your contact information, and post them in your neighborhood, at local community centers, and at veterinary clinics.
Considering Temporary Foster Care
If you are able to provide a safe and nurturing environment, consider offering temporary foster care for the cat. This involves providing food, water, shelter, and basic care while you continue your efforts to find its owner or a suitable adoptive home. However, be aware of any potential conflicts with existing pets and ensure the stray cat is kept separate until it can be tested for any contagious diseases.
Working with PetSmart’s Partner Organizations
Once you’ve exhausted efforts to find the cat’s owner, and if you’re unable to keep the cat yourself, contacting PetSmart’s partner organizations in your area is the next logical step.
Identifying Partner Organizations
Visit your local PetSmart store and inquire about the partner rescue organizations they work with. PetSmart employees should be able to provide you with contact information. You can also check PetSmart’s website for a list of partner organizations in your region, although this information may not always be readily available.
Contacting and Coordinating with the Rescue
Contact the rescue organization and explain the situation. Be prepared to provide detailed information about the cat, including its age (if known), health status, temperament, and any history you may have observed. The rescue organization will likely have specific intake procedures and may require you to bring the cat to them for evaluation.
Keep in mind that rescue organizations often operate with limited resources and space. They may not be able to take in every cat immediately. Be patient and understanding, and explore all available options. They might be able to place the cat on a waiting list or provide you with resources to help you care for the cat while it awaits placement.
Understanding Intake Policies
Each rescue organization has its own intake policies. Some may prioritize cats that are sick, injured, or in immediate danger. Others may have restrictions based on age, breed, or temperament. Be sure to understand these policies before contacting the organization.
Some organizations may require a surrender fee to help cover the costs of caring for the cat. This fee helps offset the costs of vaccinations, medical care, food, and shelter.
Other Options for Finding a Home for a Stray Cat
Besides working with PetSmart’s partner organizations, several other avenues can help you find a suitable home for a stray cat.
Reaching out to Independent Rescues
Numerous independent rescue organizations operate outside of partnerships with large retailers like PetSmart. These smaller rescues often focus on specific breeds or types of animals and may have more flexibility in their intake policies. Research local independent rescues in your area and reach out to them to explore your options.
Networking with Friends and Family
Sometimes, the best home is closer than you think. Reach out to your friends, family, and colleagues to see if anyone is interested in adopting the cat. Personal connections often lead to successful adoptions, as people are more likely to trust someone they know.
Utilizing Online Adoption Platforms
Online platforms such as Petfinder, Adopt-a-Pet, and even Craigslist (use caution when using Craigslist) can be valuable resources for finding a home for a stray cat. Create a compelling profile for the cat with high-quality photos and a detailed description of its personality and needs. Be sure to screen potential adopters carefully to ensure they are a good fit for the cat.
Considering Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) Programs
If the cat is feral or semi-feral and not suitable for indoor living, consider contacting a local Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program. TNR programs involve trapping feral cats, sterilizing them, and then returning them to their original territory. This helps control the feral cat population and improves the lives of existing feral cats.
The Importance of Responsible Pet Ownership
Finding a stray cat underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership. Ensuring your own pets are microchipped and wear identification tags is crucial for their safe return if they ever become lost. Regularly checking and updating your contact information with the microchip registry is equally important.
Spaying or neutering your pets is another fundamental aspect of responsible pet ownership. This helps prevent unwanted litters and reduces the number of animals in shelters and on the streets.
Finally, committing to the long-term care of your pets is essential. Pets are not disposable; they require lifelong care, attention, and love.
In conclusion, while PetSmart itself doesn’t directly accept stray cats, their partnerships with local shelters and rescue organizations provide a valuable avenue for finding homes for these animals. By understanding PetSmart’s role, taking the appropriate steps when you find a stray cat, and exploring all available options, you can increase the cat’s chances of finding a safe, loving, and permanent home. Remember, responsible pet ownership and community involvement are key to addressing the issue of stray animals.
Will PetSmart accept a stray cat I found?
PetSmart does not directly take in stray cats. Their stores operate as adoption centers, partnering with local animal shelters and rescue organizations. These partner organizations are responsible for intake, medical care, and fostering animals before they are placed in PetSmart for adoption. Therefore, you cannot simply drop off a stray cat at a PetSmart store.
Instead, you should contact your local animal shelter, humane society, or a reputable cat rescue organization. These organizations are equipped to handle stray animals, providing them with necessary veterinary care, vaccinations, and attempting to locate their owners. They will then determine if the cat is adoptable and place it accordingly.
What should I do if I find a stray cat near a PetSmart store?
If you find a stray cat near a PetSmart, you should not assume PetSmart will take responsibility for it. As mentioned, PetSmart partners with independent shelters and rescues. While employees might be sympathetic, they cannot take the cat into the store directly.
Your best course of action is to contact the animal shelter or rescue organization that partners with that particular PetSmart location. You can usually find this information by asking a PetSmart employee or by checking their website for local adoption partners. Contacting the partner directly ensures the cat receives the appropriate care and is integrated into their adoption program if necessary.
How can I find out which rescue organizations PetSmart partners with in my area?
Finding PetSmart’s local rescue partners is usually straightforward. The easiest method is to visit the PetSmart website and navigate to their “Adoptions” or “Services” section. Often, they will list the local shelters and rescues that regularly host adoption events at their stores.
You can also inquire directly at your local PetSmart store. Ask an employee about the adoption events they host and which organizations participate. They should be able to provide you with contact information for the local partners, allowing you to reach out to them directly regarding stray cats or adoption inquiries.
Does PetSmart provide any assistance to people who find stray cats?
While PetSmart doesn’t directly take in strays, they often support their partner organizations through fundraising events and providing adoption space. This indirect support allows the shelters and rescues to better care for stray cats in their care. PetSmart also offers resources and information on pet care, which can be helpful for those caring for a stray temporarily.
It’s also worth checking with your local PetSmart store about any upcoming adoption events or initiatives they might be running. Sometimes, they may have special promotions or programs that benefit local rescue organizations, indirectly supporting the care of stray animals. While they can’t take the cat directly, they support the agencies who can.
What are PetSmart’s requirements for cats to be available for adoption in their stores?
Cats available for adoption at PetSmart stores are there through partnered rescue organizations. These organizations have specific requirements for the animals they place, often including a veterinary check-up, vaccinations, deworming, and flea/tick treatment. The cats are typically also spayed or neutered before being made available for adoption.
Furthermore, the rescue organization usually evaluates the cat’s temperament to ensure it is suitable for adoption into a home environment. They consider factors like sociability, litter box habits, and overall health before placing the cat in PetSmart. This ensures the cat is healthy, well-behaved, and ready to become a loving member of a family.
If I foster a stray cat, can I get it adopted through PetSmart?
While you cannot directly adopt out a fostered stray cat through PetSmart independently, you can work with one of their partner rescue organizations. If you are fostering a cat and wish to find it a home through PetSmart’s adoption program, contact a local rescue that partners with PetSmart.
The rescue organization will evaluate the cat, provide necessary veterinary care, and manage the adoption process. If they approve the cat for their program, it may be placed in PetSmart for adoption. This allows you to leverage PetSmart’s visibility and foot traffic to find a suitable home for the cat while adhering to their established adoption protocols.
What happens to cats that are not adopted from PetSmart stores?
Cats that are not adopted from PetSmart stores remain under the care of the partnering rescue organization. The rescue is responsible for the cat’s well-being, including providing ongoing care in foster homes or at their shelter facility. The cat will remain available for adoption through the rescue’s channels until a suitable home is found.
The rescue organization may continue to showcase the cat at future PetSmart adoption events or explore other adoption avenues, such as online listings or adoption events at different locations. The goal is always to find a loving, permanent home for each cat in their care, and they will continue their efforts until that goal is achieved.