Around 35% of pet owners let their cats roam freely, often without visible identification like a collar or name tag.
If the cat has a clean coat, is not too thin, and appears otherwise healthy it’s probably a neighbor’s cat or one that a neighbor cares for (even if you’ve never seen it before). Try the paper collar trick. Cut a thin piece of paper and write, “This cat has been visiting me. I want to see if he/she has an owner before trying to help. If this is your cat, please write your contact info or contact me here _______”
If you don’t get a response, this cat may still have owner identification that you can’t see. The Austin Animal Center, vet offices, Tomlinson’s pet stores, PetSmart with Banfield services, and even your local fire station can scan this cat for a microchip for free to see if she has an owner. Just make sure you transport the cat in a carrier!
Other neighbors may be feeding strictly outdoor cats. We call free roaming cats without identifiable owners ‘community cats’ and their feeders ‘caretakers’. These cats know where to find food, water, and safe resting places in their outdoor territory. Many of them “make the rounds” and you may be a new stop on their daily routine!
You’re not obligated to be a caretaker to this cat but the most important thing is to make sure that this cat is spayed or neutered. See “Shelter Neuter Return” or “Trap Neuter Return” for options.
If a small portion of the cat’s left ear has been surgically removed, that’s called an ‘eartip’. An eartip is a universal sign that this community cat has already been spayed and neutered!