You might be doing more harm than good when bringing a stray cat into the humane society. 

Stray cats are 10 times more likely to be reunited with their owner if left outside rather than brought to a humane society, according to Dana Haukaas, Executive Director at the Moose Jaw Humane Society.  

"18 percent of stray cats who come into the shelter go home, and 70 percent of the dogs that come into the shelter go home," says Haukaas. She notes it is much more likely to be reunited with your dog if they are dropped off compared to a cat.  

Haukaas says the humane society does everything in its power to make sure the animals are returned home. "We post every stray cat on our Facebook Page, and every animal that leaves our shelter is microchipped, so there is definite ownership. We can scan them, contact the owner and send them home," she says the cats that are not microchipped pose the biggest problems for the shelter.  

Helping stray cats go home also includes letting them find their own food. Haukaas says if you feed a cat, it will never go home. "Water is okay, especially in the summer months. If you don't feed them and they are an owned cat they will go home." 

The story is different for injured cats. Haukaas says the humane society is available 24/7 to pick up an injured animal. "If you aren't comfortable handling them, just keep your eye on the cat, and we will send someone out." 

Click here for more information on lost and found animals at the Moose Jaw Humane Society.