found a cat?
I Found a Friendly Cat
Learn what to do when you find a cat is friendly and may already have a home and family.
What to dostep by step
What to do, in order
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Look at the ears
Many organizations that perform trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs will clip the tip of the left ear of spayed or neutered cats as a visual marker. A clipped ear means this is a community cat that is already looked after: leave it where it is and report the sighting so we know the colony is still there. - 2 / 5
No ear tip? Call Lee County first
If you have found a lost pet, please notify the shelter by phone at 239-533-7387 (LEE-PETS). Lee County Ordinance requires finders of all pets to surrender them to Lee County Domestic Animal Services within 24 hours. This allows the owner of the animal the ability to claim their pet at one location within the county. - 3 / 5
Do not keep it or rehome it yourself
Do not keep found pets, look for the owner yourself or try to find the pet a new home. The owner may be frantically searching for their pet but will not be able to find them if individuals choose to keep found pets and look for the owner themselves. Finders of pets do not have the legal right to rehome the animal, as they are not the legal owner. - 4 / 5
Found newborn kittens?
When finding newborn kittens it is important to leave them for their mother to take care of them. - 5 / 5
Want to adopt the cat?
Finders do have the option to adopt if not claimed with an approved application. If you find a pet and wish to adopt if it is not claimed, you may place an adoption application on the pet. You will be notified if the pet is not claimed by its legal owner and it has been evaluated by staff.
These steps follow Lee County Domestic Animal Services’ found-pet guidance. Read it in full in our post I found a friendly cat in Bonita Spring, FL. What should I do? or at leegov.com (opens in new tab).
Lee County Domestic Animal Services
239-533-7387 (LEE-PETS)
Think it is a community cat?
Ear-tipped, keeps its distance, or part of a group: report the sighting and we will check on the colony.
which one is yours?
Four situations, four next steps
Ear tip clipped
This is a managed community cat. It is not lost. Leave it be and tell us where you saw it.
No ear tip, comes right up to you
Probably someone’s pet. Notify Lee County Domestic Animal Services at 239-533-7387 within 24 hours.
Newborn kittens
When finding newborn kittens it is important to leave them for their mother to take care of them. Report where they are.
Hurt, sick or in danger
Call Lee County at 239-533-7387. If it is a community cat rather than a pet, call us at 239-319-8478.
good to know
Common questions
How long does Animal Services hold a cat?
Cats without identification will have NO HOLD PERIOD. Cats with identification have a five (5) day hold period. Animal Services will scan all found pets for a microchip ID and attempt through all means possible to locate the owner.
What happens to the cat after that?
Once the pet has been unclaimed by the owner after the expiration of the hold period, the pet will be placed for adoption or transferred to another agency. Lee County Domestic Animal Services strives to make every effort to find adoption or placement options for the animals in their care.
Can Community Cats of Bonita Springs take the cat instead?
We are a trap-neuter-return program, not a shelter, and the county ordinance applies to found pets. What we can do is check whether the cat belongs to a colony we manage, and if it turns out to be an unowned friendly cat, help it find a home through our foster network. Tell us about it on the sighting form or call us.
The cat is hurt. What do I do?
Call Lee County Domestic Animal Services at 239-533-7387 for a found pet that is injured. If you believe the cat is a community cat rather than a pet, call us at 239-319-8478 and tell us where it is.
Every animal deserves love and a safe place to call home.