When a cat seeks refuge in your home, it's never by chance. It's not simply looking for a place to pass through; it's seeking shelter, protection, or urgent help . Whether it's because of the cold, hunger, illness, or because it's lost, your reaction can literally change its fate .
Here are 5 clear and concrete steps to know exactly what to do if a cat comes to your home… and how to help it without endangering its safety or your own.
1. Understand why he is taking refuge in your home
A cat doesn't choose a place at random. If it stays on your patio, in front of your door, or in your garden, it's because it feels comfortable there.
- A feeling of security (quiet area, caring human presence)
- Protection against cold/heat
- A hope for food or shelter
A cat that stays nearby needs help. It's not just curiosity.
2. Check if it is lost, abandoned, or wandering
Before acting, observe:
- His physical condition : clean coat? emaciated? injured?
- His behavior :
- Does it approach easily? ➝ It may have been domesticated
- Suspicious or aggressive? ➝ He may have experienced trauma
- Is he wearing a necklace or a medal?
You can also:
- gently offer him food
- Use a calm and reassuring tone
- Take a photo discreetly and post an alert on social media or to local associations.
3. Actions to take immediately
To make available:
- A bowl of clean water
- Appropriate food (kibble, never milk)
- A dry and sheltered place
Install temporary protection:
- A cardboard box isolated under a porch
- A Miawi shelter if you already have one
Observe without rushing:
- Do not try to grab it by force
- Let the cat come towards you gradually
A hungry or freezing cat is in survival mode. Letting it breathe and feel safe is essential.
4. What you absolutely must not do
Do not give him milk (70% of cats are lactose intolerant)
Do not chase it away or spray it with water – it came to your home because it is in distress
Do not force him to enter the house
Don't ignore it: a cat that takes refuge in your home is a cat in danger
5. How to help him in the long term
You have several options, depending on your ability to act:
Install a shelter
A Miawi outdoor shelter allows the cat to protect itself, even if you cannot adopt it.
Contact an association or a veterinarian
- To check if it is identified
- To arrange sterilization or medical follow-up
feed it regularly
This stabilizes its territory and significantly increases its chances of survival.
A cat that finds a safe haven can live 2 to 4 times longer.
Conclusion: a humane gesture that changes a life
When a cat seeks refuge in your home, it's not by chance: it has chosen you as a last resort . Your response can offer it the security, warmth, and hope it desperately needs.
With Miawi, our mission is to empower you to act easily and effectively , thanks to shelters specially designed for stray cats, weatherproof, insulated and adapted to their natural well-being.
A cat that chooses your door is sending you a silent message.
With Miawi, you have the power to answer it.
