I found a cat. What do I do?
Answer a few quick questions. We'll point you to the right next step.
Question 1
Is the cat hurt, bleeding, or struggling to breathe?
Or has it fallen from a height, or can't stand up?
Question 2
Is it a kitten or a grown cat?
A kitten fits in your two hands. Not sure? Pick kitten.
Question 3
Is the kitten cold, wet, crying non-stop, or in danger?
Danger means traffic, dogs, heavy rain, or somewhere it could be shut in.
Question 4
Have you watched from a distance for 2 to 4 hours?
Mum is often out finding food and comes back when nobody's around.
Question 3
Does it come to you and let you touch it?
Question 4
Does it look like someone's pet?
A collar, a clean coat, well fed, or confused about where it is.
Get it to a vet now.
Wrap it gently in a towel, put it in a box or carrier, and call the nearest vet on your way. Cats hide pain, so if you're unsure, treat it as serious.
What to do on the wayTake it in, warm it up, call a vet.
Scoop it into a towel, tuck it in a box next to a towel-wrapped bottle of warm water, and call a vet today. Warmth before food, always, and never cow's milk.
The full kitten guide How old is it?Wait and watch first.
Step well back, out of sight, and watch for 2 to 4 hours. Mum won't come back while you're close. If the kitten gets cold, wet, or in danger while you wait, step in.
The full kitten guideLeave them with mum.
She's the best carer they could have. Keep an eye out from a distance. Once the kittens are eating on their own, around 8 weeks, a local NGO can help get mum and kittens neutered, and help friendly kittens find homes.
Why neutering mattersIt's probably a community cat.
Lots of Mumbai cats live happily on the street and don't want a sofa. If it looks healthy, the kindest things are fresh water, a bit of food, and getting it neutered with help from a local NGO. Keep an eye out for injuries.
Why neutering mattersSomeone may be looking for it.
Take a clear photo and share it in your building and area WhatsApp groups. Ask the watchman and neighbours. Keep it safe and indoors if you can, with water. A vet can check if it's microchipped.
Keeping a cat safe at homeYou could help it find a home.
Get a vet check first. Then, if you can keep it for a while, foster it, and list it on The Bombay Cats so adopters can find it. Listing is free.
List a cat Fostering 101Based on our care guides, which list their sources. This helper is a draft and hasn't been checked by a vet yet. It's general information, not a diagnosis.