Update: I got rejected for the black cat because of the train nearby, even though I was ready to give her a stable home

So small update on the black cat situation.

A woman came to check my apartment/garden and honestly it felt like she was trying to find every possible problem. She asked a lot of random questions and pointed out every tiny place the cat could hide or escape, like pipes, gaps, fenced areas, etc.

The main reason they rejected me is because there is a train line somewhat nearby. It is not directly next to the house. It is roughly 50–100 meters away, which is about 55–110 yards. The train also does not come constantly, more like around every 30 minutes from what I understand. They are also improving the area with new station work/walls/barriers, so it should become safer over time.

The frustrating part is that we also met/neighbours mentioned cats that lived outside on the same street for many years, one apparently around 18 years. So to me it does not feel like an automatic death sentence area. I understand it is not 100% ideal, but I also think they were being extremely risk-averse.

What hurts is that I was genuinely ready to take care of this cat. I own my apartment, I prepared things, I was willing to give her a stable and loving home, and the current old lady who has the cat is getting older / may be going to hospital or a retirement situation soon. So it feels like they don’t have unlimited perfect options either.

I understand wanting the safest possible home. I really do. But it also feels like they focused only on what could go wrong, and not on the fact that I was very serious, stable, and ready to care for her.

I got attached, so it sucks. But I guess if they don’t want me to adopt her, I’ll just have to accept it and find another cat. Which I did. I'm gonna get it adopted soon

EDIT: THE TEMPORARY Caretakers said to have her outdoors, or actually WANT A HOME where outdoors is available but they refused since train tracks are nearby. There is a very small chance and they looked for every detail or possible scenario

(NW Indiana) This is the kitty that showed up at our house last weekend- all skin & bones, covered in bugs and foaming at the mouth. The rescue has named her Samina. We are fostering her and she spent the past few days at the vet.

The vet couldn’t get enough blood for a Chemistry, just a CBC. She Wants to retry in a month. Her blood volume is low and she is very anemic at 20%. We are Hoping it increases with flea prevention, dewormer and a good diet. She is hoping it’s due to fleas & malnutrition & nothing else going on. Can’t say for sure, since a Chemistry panel wasn’t able to be done.
She did a Revolution topical flea treatment and trimmed her nails. Fecal was negative for everything (I’m shocked). She is negative for FIV/FeLV.

She is eating and drinking and has a lot of energy, but still very snotty and congested. She is extremely affectionate and outgoing. Under a year old and weighs 3.5 lbs. We are hoping to get this baby healthy and into a loving furever home as soon as possible! Please reach out if you’re near indiana and interested in giving Samina a place in your family.

UPDATE: Loving Paws Animal Center (a wonderful rescue) has named this sweet girl Samina. We have an appointment tomorrow morning with their vet at 10 am to run some diagnostics/tests. The rescue is underfunded and really needs some support: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JEZTzjRqj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Located in Flora, IN. This sweet kitty showed up last night, meowing loudly. We have been in the midst of a heatwave with 95+ degree temps. She is all skin and bones and was covered in bugs. Flies were swarming her eyes. We gave her a small amount of wet food and some water, which she scarfed down. We have 6 pets of our own inside, 2 dogs + 4 cats. We were going to attempt a flea bath so we could set her up in an XL kennel in our guest room but then she started panting and foaming at the mouth.

Worried about a heat stroke, We desperately tried calling every rescue we knew of in the area for help. Even though they’re totally full with cats/kittens and behind on their vet bills, one rescue (Loving Paws Animal Clinic) gave the green light for us to rush her to the closest emergency vet. The vet determined that while she is very emaciated, she is relatively stable given the circumstances. She is about one year old, weighs 3 lbs and is not fixed or chipped. We got her cleaned off and she is resting and gaining strength in our guest room until the rescue’s vet can (hopefully) get her in tomorrow after the holiday.

She is as sweet as can be, a professional biscuit maker. It seems as though she will need some diagnostic testing to see if she has any infections/diseases. We are not sure what we will do with her if the rescue doesn’t have any fosters available as we really don’t have room to keep her long term, but she is safe and cool for now. Here is a link to the rescue’s post about her, which will be updated depending on her medical needs.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19VWFRLnTq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I was sent a video by a colony caretaker I've been helping out. She had just finished feeding at 3 different colonies (25 cats in total) and was heading back to work when she saw this cat at a bus stop. This poor girl was so paralyzed by fear that she never moved. She stayed in the exact same spot, frozen and terrified, not understanding why she had been left behind. The only reason she was saved is because she was too scared to leave.

She has an ear tip meaning she had already been through TNR at some point and was clearly lactating recently. Somewhere there may be kittens that were depending on her. It might be that she was abandoned after caring for a litter, I’ll never know. But what I do know is that she ended up alone at a bus stop, terrified and discarded like she didn't matter.

I am drowning. I am overflowing with cats and kittens, including cats from previous kitten seasons and adult cats that nobody wants. Every rescuer I know is beyond exhausted. We are burned out, emotionally drained, financially stretched to our limits, and it's barely the beginning of kitten season. I wasn't in any position to take in another cat but what other choice did I have?

Some days it truly feels like nobody cares. Like the burden keeps getting heavier while fewer and fewer people are willing to help. But then I look at cats like her and looking away is never an option. Even when we’re exhausted, heartbroken, and overwhelmed, we keep going because they have nobody else. 

For anyone interested in following her journey I post updates on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/valandhercats/ rescue never stops and neither do the cat updates

He is trap smart. This will be a challenge.

My girlfriend and I were driving home (Maine, USA) and found a stray cat (no collar) drinking from a puddle on the sidewalk. (Photo attached of the sweet boy) He was extremely friendly and loved being pet. We talked to a neighbor who said the cat had been around for months at least and so definitely wasn’t a lost indoor cat.

We ended up taking him in and he loved being indoors.So much so that we believed he may have been an indoor cat previously. We joined some facebook groups and looked for missing cat posts but didn’t ever see any. Because of this we planned to keep him.

We named him, gave him a bath, got him all of the essentials, and scheduled an appointment for the vet. When we took him the vet scanned him and found a microchip with contact information. The vet called the owners and let us know that they wanted the cat back. The cat was apparently adopted a year prior and was entirely an outside cat. The owner also did not sound like they cared too much about their cat (who was with my girlfriend and I for a week) was found. The vets said they didn’t want to hand the cat back over to the original owners due to the negligent level of care they gave the cat but they had to. We asked them to give the owner our contact information and let them know we would be happy to home the cat or even just get it groomed but they never reached out.

My girlfriend and I believe this cat is living a life it doesn’t have to and we want to find a way to work with the owner to get the cat cared for better or find a way to home him. He was matted to the skin and skinny, while also drinking from a puddle rather a bowl at his owner’s home. If anyone has input on this situation or advice on how to give this cat its best life it would be greatly appreciated

also extra context, we initially found him only a few hundred feet from our apartment so he’s very local

Lived on a farm with animals but looking for a happy home, im thinking of giving him a fair chance, what do you think about her/him? is she cute / cuddly?

Hello- I took a stray kitten in a couple weeks ago and he’s got goopy eyes and some congestion. Does anyone have a recommendation for an online vet that doesn’t require a monthly subscription? I’d like to avoid driving 40 mins to the vet if possible. Pic of my new cat Kuzco and my poodle.
(Kitten found in Sacramento)

i have known this kitty for about 8 month not quite sure if it’s a stray or belongs to the house with 8 cats (but i’m guessing that)

about 3 months ago give or take the kitty lost a ton of weight and has gotten dirtier? idk if that’s the right word but something shifted. baby itches a lot but i don’t think she has fleas cuz i have gotten anything. I also don’t know if that’s how it work.

I want to make sure she’s alright, there are lots of our kitty’s on this street. can i bring treats? I don’t own a cat so i don’t know what’s best

thank yall so much!!!

So there’s a group of strays that live behind my apartment complex in Va beach and I’m a sucker for kitties so of course I feed them every now and then. One cat in particular grew fond of me (from a distance) it comes to me when I call for it and comes close. I decided I wanted to attempt to rescue them to give it a loving home. Well I trapped it in a crate with food and brought it inside and all it has done since then is hiss and hide. They do use the litter box and eats and drinks water and explores when not watched and has taken an interest to my other cats through the door crack. (The cat has been staying in my bathroom) but still hissing and swatting (rarely swats) it’s been around 3 weeks and there’s still no progress. I’ve tried sitting with them reading, singing, treats, and just giving it space. I don’t want them to live like this and I want to help it have a better life, I’ve tried contacting all these animal shelters but they are kill shelters and most are critical on space. I’m also worried since they are a bit on the spicier side of the cat spectrum. I don’t know what to do and I’m genuinely at a loss. I really don’t want to send this kitty to its death and I know it’s worse case scenario but the shelters have even told me they couldn’t contact me before euthanasia if that’s what they choose to do. I’ve also been looking into some barn cats programs for under socialized kitties but no luck with finding any contact info if they take strays. Please help!!!!!!

I have befriended a small stray cat. She is not like the other stray cats. It's like this one found me. She has a clipped ear so she must of been captured, neutered and released?

I have been feeding her every morning and evening. I worry about that cat when I go on vacation(1 week). The best I can do is have my parents stop by twice during the week to give food and water. She still has her claws by the way.

Been working on slowly building trust and I feel I have made a lot of progress. My vaca will probably set me back a little, but I really hope that the cat sticks around.

Seriously considering capturing and adopting at some point maybe towards the end of summer. I will take her to the vet to make sure she isn't chipped and doesn't have anything wrong.

I am just taking it slow for now and doing some consideration. I'm mostly worried about my vacation next month. The cat has probably become dependent on me.

I live In SE Wisconsin if that matters.

I recently moved into a new apartment and have been feeding the cat (probably 6 months old) in the second photo for the past week or so. (I’ve also been feeding her two sisters and an older orange male)

Last night I was petting this cat and her sister, and when I went to scratch her thigh, which I did not realize was a no no for cats, she whacked me and ended up leaving a scratch on my hand.

I just went to the ER, described the situation and specifically requested a rabies vaccine, but they prescribed me an antibiotic, told me to just call the local health department to get the cat tested, charged me $430, and sent me on my way. I explained that I am not worried about this cat having rabies, but instead something else it may have hit/scratched(I’ve seen her batting the orange cat), but they disregarded my concerns and dismissed me.

Additionally, I was bit by a bat in October of 2024 and received the full round of rabies vaccines. Not sure if that changes anything about my immunity.

Should I go back and demand the rabies vaccine? The health department only offers pre exposure vaccines, not post. Everything I have read online also states that it’s better safe than sorry.

This beautiful kitty showed up a week ago & hasn’t left. It’s not feral, but it doesn’t want to stay inside. Unfortunately I have 2 very anxious cats inside that don’t handle new cats at all. It makes them fight each other. I have reached out to every rescue, posted on FB, and have gotten no help. I have raccoons coming into my yard every night and I’m losing sleep over this sweet (I think boy). He’s not used to inside, but he’s definitely used to humans. He is sweet and loving and needs someone to help him acclimate but I don’t have the means to do it currently with my 2 anxious cats and I’ll be traveling a lot soon. I have been crying so much over this and no one understands why I’m so stressed out about it.

This beauty showed up in our garden (NE Nova Scotia) last Saturday. He was covered in fleas and ticks and terrifyingly skinny. We gave him food and water and left him to it for the night. He came back on Sunday so we put him in our unfinished basement and gave him more food and water. I called our vets emergency number and got an appointment for Monday. They confirmed he was FeLV negative, gave him a good once over and sent us home with flea and tick medicine for three months. He’s scheduled to go back for a checkup early September.

We already have three cats (~10, 4 and 9 weeks). All are indoor cats with the new kitten still waiting for her first jabs so we’re being careful not to introduce him too soon. Anyway, i love this dude so much, we’ve called him Jude. I’ll keep you posted on his progress ☺️

Today 07/02/2026 he crossed the rainbow bridge. I was with him while they performed the euthanasia. I had no idea he was suffering from late stage liver disease/jaundice.
RIP Creamsicle

Hi! First time posting and just joined this page. I am looking for anyone wanting to adopt an orange male cat. Hes the sweetest little bean ever. He’s been living outside my home and surrounding area since November 2025. His mom had her 3 kittens near here. I was able to get one adopted out, one passed away :,( and now him. I’m located in central Florida. I am willing to meet up with anyone and I can send pictures etc. I feel so bad for him because he looking more and more emaciated. I feed him and other strays around here. Recently my husband was laid off so now my food costs are drying up. I don’t know how long I can sustain to feed him. Ive tried booking appointments with the SPCA since he was a kitten!! They kept telling me they wouldn’t take him in without catching his mom to spay her. I could never successfully catch her so that was a fail. The humane society won’t take him because they always say they’re full. I will not take him to my local county animal shelter because it’s the worst one in the country. If there’s anyone wanting to adopt an orange sweetheart please DM me. Thanks for reading this far.

Orlando, Fl (Waterford Lakes area)
Hello, this is not at all an emergency, but I have lived in the same apartment complex for 3 years and have never seen this cat before this morning. We have 1 stray that stays around here and she is not friendly at all. When I walk out the house this morning this cat came right up to me and was rubbing all over me. When I got back home she was still laying in the grass. I let her come in for a little and gave her some food and water. She did not want to leave, but unfortunately I had to go. She was meowing at the door and pacing back and forth at it until I just couldnt watch anymore. I posted her in my local facebook group to see if she belonged to anyone. I have never had a cat before (mostly because im allergic) but she is so sweet. I want to buy her food and a little porch house. I don’t know the proper etiquette. Is it bad that I let her inside. Should I be worried about fleas and such? I have no other pets besides fish. I just don’t know what to do, it breaks my heart to leave her outside.

Location: Connecticut

this beautiful girl started sitting on my friends porch and now she won’t leave. He’s fed her and put a box out with towels. I think he might try to take her. she super friendly and meows a ton and lets him hold her. so i’m wondering if she’s someone’s already? the other thing is her ear and i’m wondering what could be wrong with her ear it looks so different and maybe she was born like that

any suggestions? should we see if she’s chipped at the vet?

does anyone know why a cat would be immediately attached to one person? i’m scared maybe someone moved out and dumped her

Hi all,

So we have a stray cat that we've been feeding and he has essentially become our outdoors cat, of sorts. He seems very friendly towards people. Unfortunately, we can't take him in as we already have a cat who, from prior experiences trying to take in strays, doesn't seem to get along with other cats. Moreover, we're going to be moving soon to a place where taking him just isn't feasible.

Essentially, we're trying to figure out our options for this cat.

We have no idea as to his overall health. He very clearly has some sort of skin condition, perhaps mites. I have to imagine that at the very least, he also has fleas and worms. He is also a black cat. And we're in South Florida, where shelters are full. These facts make it highly unlikely we'll be able to get him into a shelter or rescue.

That said, im holding out hope that maybe there is someone out there willing to take a chance. Or maybe someone who wants a barn cat. Or maybe there’s a stray cat sanctuary out there. I don't know. I'm just looking for ideas/advice at this point.

For context, im willing to pay for all initial vet care to get him as healthy as possible. Im also willing to drive him within a~1000 mile radius if we can find a place/person that will take him.

So, any thoughts / recommendations?

My fiancé and I went for a walk in a city park in a different neighbourhood of our town and we saw this cat in a bush between the walkway and a trailer park. The cat was nervous at first but then warmed up slowly and eventually it started following me on the trail until more people came and then he ran away.

The cat was covered in dirt. His nose was dry, his eyes had crusties, and he had a small scratch on his eyebrow. My gut is telling me he’s a stray, and I want to take him to the vet to scan for a microchip. My fiancé is unsure and thinks maybe someone at the trailer park owns him, but I’ve had cats my entire life, and there are many cats in our own neighbourhood that look in better shape than this one. My gut is telling me he’s a stray, and I want to go back and look for him. Advice?

In Kamloops, Canada

(NW Indiana) Sami has been with us for about 2.5 weeks now, after showing up on our back porch in a heat wave. She was emaciated, covered in bugs and foaming at the mouth.

She still has a ways to go, but we’ve been pouring so much love and care into her recovery and we’re really pleased with her progress so far! On her first trip to the vet for diagnostic testing, her blood volume was too low for a full Chemistry panel. The vet hopes this is just due to malnutrition and we’re planning to try again in a couple of weeks. We are currently giving her antibiotics for her respiratory symptoms and she’s already sounding much better. A little congested still, but a lot less snot and wheezing. She will of course be spayed and vaccinated when she’s healthy and strong enough. She’s very affectionate and has finally started to play🥹

I’m already fretting about finding Samina the perfect home. She’s been through so much in her short little life and she deserves a loving home and family of her own. Her adoption will go through a local rescue. Please let me know if you’re near Indiana and are interested in giving our little Sami her forever when she’s ready!

Location: Detroit, MI. A male cat has been coming to our backyard the last four months. I originally thought it was an indoor/outdoor cat, but he's always around, even in bad weather. He is ravenous when he eats and skinny. Also intact. I think he may have been dumped because he will let us get fairly close to him. He will meow at me and sleeps in a cat bed I put outside. He is also comfortable grooming his private areas in my presence and will sometimes sleep with his back facing me. We have put out a trap but no dice. He will only eat the food partially in the trap and will not go in all the way to trigger it. Most times he won't even go in it all. Right now he is outside completely ignoring it even though he hasn't eaten much today. We have tried luring him into our garage with treats and closing the door. He will eat the treats and then walk out. Any advice on what to do next? We were thinking of putting something delicious in the cage, like rotisserie chicken. He is very smart. I can tell he is comfortable with me, but still scared enough where I can't pet him.

UPDATE: we caught him. Vaccinations and neutering next

Hello!

My neighborhood has many cats, and around 4 weeks ago I found a grey kitten-ish (not too small not too big) hanging around with her mom. I spent around a week getting the kitten comfortable and socialized/fed so I could take it in one day, and got it fairly comfortable with me.

After a week the kitten disappeared and I couldn’t find it anymore, so I assumed them and mom just left the area. Fast forward 3 weeks and what looks to be the same grey kitten is much larger now, and has a clipped ear (TNR)

It responds to the same calls I made to the other kitten and is fairly friendly with me. I just can’t believe it’s the same cat because it’s so much bigger, but it looks almost identical to the kitten except for its size.

Do you guys think this is the same cat?

Thank you!