Flyers are often seen with photos of dogs escaping from the backyard or breaking off their collars, as well as requests from owners for help finding their puppies. But many cat owners don’t realize it’s almost as easy to lose a cat, from squeezing through an accidentally opened door to escaping from an unsecured pet cage on the way to the vet.
At the same time, some cats just have an adventurous side and will stop at nothing to scratch or chew on window screens or figure out how to unlatch their own doors, if you have an indoor/outdoor cat there is always a chance they will be in the garage or backyard when the weather changes “Lost” your kittens in the shed and they will seek shelter.
If your cat does go missing, you should take the following steps to bring him or her home.
speak out
Many cat owners end up playing the game of waiting for themselves to get home with their outdoor cat before they start taking steps to find their lost pet, but it’s important not to wait too long, especially when you consider all the dangers lurking outdoors, from car to wildlife. The good news is that most cats don’t like to be far from home, so if you’re sure your cat is really missing, they’re likely hiding a few hundred feet from the house.
It’s always a good idea to have a flyer nearby with your cat’s name and description and your contact information (and a bonus, if applicable), but you’ll also need to take advantage of social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to share images and post on Facebook Recruit your friends and family to share your posts about your lost cat. There are also Facebook groups dedicated to retrieving pets lost in your area.
Also make sure to hand out flyers to (and call) your local animal shelter and veterinary office, and post photos of your cat on their social media sites if possible. If there are groups in your area that work with local community cat groups, they can also help you find your cat. Don’t be shy when recruiting your neighbors, as most will be more than happy to inspect under their trees or porches for you, and be sure to give them instructions on the best way to approach your cat to help prevent them from being spotted. run away.
rely on their identities
All dog and cat owners should microchip their pets and ensure the chip is registered with up-to-date contact information. Another important prevention tool is a cat collar. Hopefully your cat has both identification methods, especially since most people don’t look twice when they spot a loose cat without a collar because they’ll assume it’s a stray. You need to be sure to include a description of your cat’s collar in any flyer or social media post and immediately alert the microchip company that your cat is missing.
know where to look
When your cat isn’t showing up for dinner, the first thing to do is to explore every corner of your home – because cats can easily get trapped in places like closets or corners of garages, and they just can’t find their way out.
If your cat is definitely out of the house, go outside and get on your hands and knees – you may also want to pull the ladder out of the garage. Cats have a natural tendency to seek out high and low hiding places, and any small enclosed spaces – they love being able to watch you without you seeing them. Start your search by looking up at trees, under your porch, or even any empty boxes or containers you may have in your backyard.
lure your cat home
Sometimes it takes a little sneaking to get your cat home. One idea is to keep the cat’s bowl and food outside to help them follow the smell and hopefully find their way home. You also need to open a door as much as possible. There are also cat traps that can be left out overnight, so if your cat wanders inside enjoying the food you left inside, you can retrieve your terrified kitten first thing in the morning.
Expert Tips
A professional way to attract cats is to keep unwashed clothes outside where the cat can track them. If you have access to a night vision camera, this can also be a useful tool for locating your cat if your cat is trying to get home at night, as many scared cats will try to break into the house thinking you are not looking.
keep looking
Losing a four-legged family member is always a scary experience, but keep in mind that even a spoiled indoor kitten may rely on its natural instincts to survive if stuck outdoors. Make sure to be diligent and persistent when looking for your lost cat, and keep sharing, posting, and searching until he or she gets home.
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