How to Find a Missing Cat
If your cat goes missing, follow these tips to help bring him back home:
1. House Search
Many missing cats run away from home and wander around outside. However, missing cats are actually Hiding in the house.
That’s why this first step is so important: check all the places your cat might hide: under beds, behind closed doors, in closets, cupboards, attics, basements, etc.
2. Check out your neighborhood
one time know If your cat is not inside the house, walk around the neighborhood immediately. Talk to neighbors and provide them with your contact information in case they come across your pet. As you walk around the neighborhood, call your cat by name and shake a bag of its favorite treats or food loudly.
Many cats are food motivated and may come running when they hear the sound of a bag of treats shaking. Most cats (75% in a 2018 study) are found within 500 metres of the home or area where they first escaped, so a thorough search of the surrounding area is one of the best initial steps in finding a missing cat.
3. Use social media
If you can’t find your pet locally, try using social media – there are many websites and apps that can help spread the word quickly and reunite lost pets with their owners.
Next Door is an app that allows you to connect with your neighbors on social networks, share information, post announcements, etc. You can also find local groups on Facebook that are dedicated to lost pets.
Share clear, recent photos of your lost cat, as well as information about its health (does your pet need daily medication?), behavior (is the cat timid or friendly?) and what to do if someone sees your pet.
4. Make a phone call
While the internet and apps have been great ways to find lost pets, it’s still important to rely on old-fashioned methods.
Contact your local shelter, veterinarian’s office, humane society, police department, or animal control and let them know you have a missing cat. Include a description of your pet and your contact information.
5. Put up posters
Cover the area with posters: bright, neon signs with bold, easy-to-read black font and clear photos of cats. If possible, consider posting a reward for the safe return of your pet.
Place posters and flyers in high-traffic areas so as many people as possible can see them.
6. Update your cat’s microchip information
If your missing cat is microchipped, contact the provider to update their contact information. Many microchip companies also offer resources for lost pets, such as assistance with local veterinarians and shelters.
7. Set a humane trap
Buy, rent or borrow a humane trap and set it up near your home or your cat’s last known location. Havahart® TrapYou can put food and water inside to lure your cat.
Once the animal is inside the trap, the trap door closes humanely, without harming it (although wild animals can also be caught this way, so be careful!).
8. Keep your cat’s things outside
Consider leaving a litter box, favorite toys, a bed and a blanket outside to entice your cat to come back — cats have an excellent sense of smell, so they will recognize the smells of home.
9. Try wildlife or security cameras
Cats are notoriously good at hiding, and using wildlife or security cameras can help you determine if your cat is still in the area and identify the best places to find them or set a trap.
10. Hire a pet detective
If all else fails, consider hiring a pet detective. This isn’t just something you see in the movies: there are plenty of agencies out there that will help you find your missing cat, sometimes even using search and rescue dogs to track the scent.
Don’t give up hope. Keep calling shelters and veterinary clinics. Update frequently on social media and change the color of your posters to attract more attention. Let people know you’re still looking and haven’t given up.
How to stop your cat from going missing again
So what can pet owners do to prevent this from happening? Having an emergency plan is a great start.
1. Microchipping your cat
If your cat isn’t microchipped, talk to your vet about this simple but potentially life-saving device. Microchips are inexpensive and easy to insert during a regular check-up.
Make sure your cat has a microchip registered with the company in case it goes missing.
2. Keep your cat away from stressors
Be aware of situations that may lead your cat to escape. Fireworks, thunderstorms, loud parties, etc. can cause anxiety and panic in cats.
If you anticipate this happening, confine your cat to a safe, quiet place until the threat has passed. Use calming devices such as white noise machines, calming sprays or calming chews to help your cat get through this stressful time.
3. Get your cat to wear an ID tag
Consider Put a collar on a cat They come with an ID tag with your contact information, and there are also pet tracking devices that can be attached to your pet’s collar so you can keep an eye on their whereabouts at all times.
Hopefully you will never find yourself in this situation, but if you do, don’t panic. Act immediately to improve your chances of being reunited with your pet. Enlist the help of friends, neighbors and family.
Not all pets will be able to be rehomed, but the sooner you act and the wider your search network, the greater the chances of having your beloved pet back in your arms.
