If you’ve come across a cat or kitten in the community, you can follow these steps to help keep them safe:

• Only attempt to catch a cat if they are friendly and able to be picked up. If they are timid or unapproachable, provide food and water but leave them alone. Contact our team for advice

• If you have the cat or kitten in your care whilst you search for a rescue, make sure they have food, water and shelter. Keep them away from your own pets until you are sure they’re healthy

• If you think a cat is lost, you can take them to your local veterinarian to scan for a microchip

• If you’ve found a litter of kittens and the mother cat is nowhere to be seen, do not assume she has abandoned them. Mother cats will leave their kittens to hunt, or do a perimeter check for predators. Kittens have a much higher chance of survival if nursed by their mother, so always allow time for her to return

• If you’re certain the kittens have been separated from their mother, provide a safe warm place for them until you can get them to a veterinarian or rescue. If they look under 4 weeks of age, you should contact your veterinarian or Maggie’s Rescue as soon as possible

Contact the Maggie’s Rescue team to assist in bringing them into our care

If you’ve found a stray dog you can fill in this form for advice or contact your local veterinarian or council for assistance and to check for a microchip