Please don't introduce it to other cats until it has been tested for communicable diseases like FIV and feline leukemia. Anyone who wants to adopt it and already has cats has to run these tests before bringing the cat into his/her home.

We found and adopted a stray kitten last year that was outside our house and seriously injured. Although we looked on Craig's List and all around the neighborhood for signs, we never found any evidence that anyone was looking for the kitten, even though it had clearly been raised with people (it was way too friendly (and too old) to have been feral). I think someone dumped him.

OP, I would not go to extreme measures to try to find the owner -- I would focus your efforts on finding the kitty a good home or a good no-kill shelter.

And the fact that this cat is outside, lost, and hungry is reason #346 why cats should be indoor only and never let outside.

Anonymous wrote:The cat is very sweet and friendly, and very skinny. It showed up a couple days ago, and I put some tuna out because I felt bad for it. Any advice on trying to find the owner and next steps, like an animal shelter if no one claims it soon? We cannot take it in.

Animal control. When I lost my cat I kept checking at the shelter. This one sounds like a stray though.

The Washington Humane Society can check to see if it's microchipped. They also run lists of "found" animals along with photos. There are two locations in DC but I think the NY Ave location is where you drop off found animals:

http://support.washhumane.org/site/PageServer

http://support.washhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lostfoundpet&AddInterest=1047

take it to a local vet or animal shelter to see if it has a microchip.

PP here. I am sorely tempted, but it would mean having three cats, which might be a bit much for us.

For anyone considering: We had one of the best cats, possibly the best cat, ever adopted as a friendly stray. Big orange cat with a big heart, a friend to all. We lost him to cancer this summer, and this post just hits me right in that soft spot.

Please--someone take this cat, and please keep us posted, OP.

Anonymous wrote:Is there a neighborhood list serve?

Or are you on Next Door?

I would post on both of those places and try Facebook too to find someone to take it in.

Thanks. I posted already on our neighborhood list serve.

If anyone from DCUM would like a cat, let me know and I'll post an email address. I'll try to find the owner (not sure if the cat was abandoned or just lost) first, and will keep anyone who would like to adopt a cat in mind.

Is there a neighborhood list serve?

Or are you on Next Door?

I would post on both of those places and try Facebook too to find someone to take it in.

The cat is very sweet and friendly, and very skinny. It showed up a couple days ago, and I put some tuna out because I felt bad for it. Any advice on trying to find the owner and next steps, like an animal shelter if no one claims it soon? We cannot take it in.