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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The comment about the Fairfax county shelter doesn’t make any sense.  They are an open-access shelter.  Why would they NOT take healthy animals.  Either you misunderstood or you spoke with an idiot.  Since it’s a county shelter, a good portion of their funding is likely from taxpayers.  This is a service taxpayers would expect in return. [/quote]I was also turned away by Fairfax county shelter when I tried to help a stray. They suggested I let them go again or find a rescue.[/quote]

This is standard practice for healthy outdoor cats. Most responsible shelters don't take in healthy outdoor cats - most of the cats who are living outside, are doing just fine, and do worse when they come into a shelter. It's also because shelters are full, and cats are among the pets most at risk of euthanasia for space.

Ask them about TNVR services - if you can bring the cat in for spaying/neutering and to get vaccinated. Many public shelters perform these services for outdoor cats.

It's a good idea to reach out to rescues. Does the cat show any interest in coming inside? [/quote]

^ Just to add - you're very kind to help this cat, and I know it can be confusing and confounding what you are supposed to do once you take in a pet you find outside. Thank you for trying. You can bring this cat inside once they are checked out by a vet, if you want to. Another option is private rehoming - just, try to find the cat a home. Post on social media, nextdoor, put up fliers - esp if the cat is fixed and vetted, there will be someone who wants to give the cat a home.

Ask the local shelters and rescues if they can put up courtesy rehoming posts for the cat, too, if you don't want to or can't keep them.[/quote]

OP here - thanks for this.

As to the cat having interest in coming inside - yes. I have had cats almost my whole life and this is or was someone's pet. I don't think she was living outside for a long time (two neighbors said they had seen her on their deck), which is why I am a little stumped that no one has come forward. I still have her separated from my cats (who go to the vet today) but she's now in the main part of the basement and is eager to check out the rest of the house. She loves to be petted and used a litter box right away. She is very sweet.

I have posted flyers, done NextDoor, a local FB group that has 1,000's of members, several FB lost and found pet groups, something called PawBoost, and spread the word to local friends. And have reported her to FFX, Loudoun, and PWC shelters. If you are reading this and are in NoVa, you have probably seen this cat advertised somewhere! :-)

I have contacted a couple of rescues and now the SPCA and will likely foster her until she is adopted. Or I inadvertently added a third cat to my home. C'est la vie.

If anyone has opinions on the SPCA, let me know. They were quick to get back to me. I think the rescues are all swamped right now.[/quote]

I don't mean just try to find her owner - I'm surprised no one has come forward, too, though in general return rates for lost cats are dismally low. I mean if you try to find her a new home on your own, you may be successful.

I work in animal welfare and have never actually heard of the SPCA of Northern Virginia - but it sounds like they are able to help, which is awesome.

Thank you again - you're really doing such a good deed here. I hope something good comes out. We have three cats, FWIW, and they are a great trio - highly recommend having three cats![/quote]

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