Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: 14 August 2026
What is a community cat?
A community cat is a free-roaming cat that lives outdoors in a neighbourhood (on compound walls, in markets, near dhabbas) and is often fed and looked after informally by residents. They are not owned by any one person; they belong to the neighbourhood.
What is Meowmbai?
Meowmbai is a community-powered map that documents community cats across Indian cities. Residents upload photo sightings, which are pinned by neighbourhood and moderated before publication, so anyone can see the cats that live nearby and follow them over time.
Can I adopt a cat I found on Meowmbai?
Meowmbai is a documentation project, not an adoption platform. Many community cats are healthy and belong in their neighbourhood. If a cat appears abandoned or in need of a home, reach out to a local rescue organisation who can assess and rehome them properly.
What should I do if I see an injured cat?
Contact a local animal welfare organisation or veterinarian as soon as possible. Meowmbai is not an emergency service, but you can flag a documented cat as needing help so nearby users are aware.
Is it legal to feed street cats in India?
Yes. Feeding and caring for community animals is recognised in India, and cruelty towards them is punishable under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Feed responsibly: keep feeding spots clean and away from doorways and traffic.
Which cities does Meowmbai cover?
Meowmbai is live in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. New cities are added as their communities start documenting cats.
How do I add a cat to Meowmbai?
Take a photo of the cat where you spotted it and upload it on the site with the location. Give the cat a name and a caption if you know them. Every submission is checked by a moderator before it appears publicly, so it may take a little while to show up on the map.
What is TNR, and how does it help community cats?
TNR stands for trap-neuter-return: community cats are humanely trapped, sterilised and vaccinated by a vet, then returned to the same neighbourhood they came from. It is the standard humane approach to stabilising a community cat population, because it stops new litters without removing the cats that already live there. Local animal welfare organisations run TNR drives in most Indian cities.
I found kittens outside — what should I do?
In most cases, leave them where they are and watch from a distance. The mother is usually nearby and will not return while a person is standing over her kittens. Step in only if the kittens are in immediate danger, visibly sick or injured, or clearly alone for many hours — and then contact a local rescue organisation rather than taking them home, as very young kittens need specialised care.
Is Meowmbai free to use?
Yes. Browsing the map, viewing cat profiles and submitting sightings are all free, and there is no account or subscription required to look around.