06/15/2026
Tonight I saw a post that reallly stuck out to me. A free kitten. But this one wasnāt your typical āhelp I found a kittenā postš
Original poster wanted someone to āpick up asapā and said she āis not nice to cats and her dogs especially are not nice to cats!ā She would not check for a microchip and said āitā had to have been dumped.
This is not always the case. And this was not a kitten! It was a full grown cat. Someone went to pick him up, and the cat was gone. So now what?? Well, she wonāt respond to us.
Then the neighbor said itās her cat. And she is still attempting to give this cat away. Yāall. Please donāt do thisš
Every single day we see posts that say āFree kittenā or āSomeone come get this cat.ā Before handing an animal to a stranger, please take a few simple steps to help keep them safe.
ā¼ļøIf You Found a Catā¼ļø
1. Assume the cat may have an owner.
Some friendly cats outdoors are lost, escaped, or belong to someone nearby. You NEVER know!!
2. Check for a microchip.
Most veterinary clinics and shelters will scan for free. Police stations too!
3. Post found pet notices.
* Local lost & found pet groups
* Neighborhood groups
* Shelter lost/found pages
* Flyers in the area if possible
4. Hold the cat if itās safe to do so.
Owners often need a few days to locate their missing pet. I know sometimes this isnāt easy, but please consider it!!
5. If no owner is found, contact local rescues or shelters for guidance.
If You Found Kittens
1. Look for mom first.
If the kittens are clean, warm, and quiet, mom may be nearby. Observe from a distance before removing them.
2. Estimate their age.
* Under 4 weeks: Usually need mom or bottle feeding. Mom knows best!
* 4-8 weeks: Starting to wean
* 8+ weeks: Can usually eat independently
3. Keep them safe and contained.
A bathroom, spare room, or large crate works well temporarily.
4. Begin socialization early.
Gentle daily handling helps kittens become adoptable pets.
5. Arrange veterinary care.
Vaccines, deworming, flea treatment, and spay/neuter should be planned as soon as age and weight allow. Ask for help in groups if needed!
Before Giving Away a Cat or Kitten
ā Donāt hand them to the first person who comments. Please!!!
ā
Ask:
* Have you owned cats before?
* Will the cat live indoors?
* Are current pets vaccinated and fixed?
* Can you provide veterinary care?
ā
Request veterinary references if possible.
ā
Keep a record of who adopted the animal.
ā
ALWAYS charge a small adoption fee or work through a rescue organization. Itās not āprofiting.ā It can save a life.
Remember
A catās story doesnāt end when someone picks them up.
Taking a few extra minutes to check for an owner, verify an adopter, or connect with a rescue can prevent abandonment, neglect, and unwanted litters. And when someone says āhey thatās my cat?ā Well, maybe you should give them their cat backš„²
When in doubt, ask for help before posting āfree to a good home.ā Itās scary at first, and posting helps! But never post a free cat/kitten. A little effort today can save a catās life tomorrowš¾
ā Briš©µ
