How To Find a Lost Cat

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by: Russell
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Cats
can occasionally wander off, and this can be a very scary time for pet owners. Most cats are found quickly, but it can take some effort for this to happen. If you are trying to find a lost cat, here are the steps you should take:

   1. Confirm that the cat is actually lost. Cats are known for being excellent at hiding, and may simply be taking a nap somewhere. Search your home thoroughly, and your yard if your cat is allowed outdoors. Confirming that you cannot find the cat is the first step of the search. Listen carefully for your cat’s meows; it is possible that your cat has wandered into somewhere where they have gotten stuck.

2. Try to entice the cat back home. Even if your indoor-only cat has escaped the home, they are often able to be lured back with food. Set a bowl of food outside and see if the cat comes wandering back. Tuna fish or soft cat food often works best for this, because their smell is easier to detect for a cat than that of dry cat food. However, watch out for other animals who may also be attracted by the scent.

   3. Look around the neighborhood. Check all of the streets of your neighborhood. If your neighbors are outside, ask them if they have seen your cats. They may have seen your cat wandering around the neighborhood before you realized that he was lost. Call your cat’s name while searching the neighborhood, and your cat may come running. Make any other noise that your pet is familiar with, like the sound of a treat box being shaken or his favorite squeaky toy.

   4. Put up signs. Place signs up around your neighborhood on mailboxes and posts. Your poster should say “LOST CAT” and include the cat’s color and a description as well as your contact info. Include a photo of your cat, if you have one. A color photo is best. These should be distributed up to a one mile radius from where your pet went missing.

   5. Use classified ads. Newspaper classified ads and websites like Craigslist have sections for lost and found pets. Consider placing an ad of your own, and don’t forget to check the Found section to see if anyone’s found a cat recently. Don’t forget about community bulletin boards in grocery stores or other locations.

   6. Contact local humane societies and veterinarians. Often, people will take cats that they find to a vet, humane societies, animal control, or similar organizations. Ask them if they have received a cat matching your cat’s description. Take them one of your ‘lost cat’ flyers. Be aware that you only have about 3 days to find your cat in a humane society before he may be adopted out to another family.

   7. Be careful when offering a reward. Never post your home address on flyers, and be careful when offering a reward for the return of your lost pet. Most people will do their best to return a lost pet regardless of any possible monetary compensation, so it’s really not necessary. Plus, it may attract the attention of scam artists.

Take preventive measures. Snap a photo of your cat for easy identification and sign-making later. A microchip implant can help a vet or humane society return your lost cat. Keep fence gates and other areas closed, and close off any known escape routes or dangerous hiding places. Always secure your cat in a carrier when going to the vet or any other location so that they can’t run away if frightened. Keep a collar on your cat with a tag that has current contact information.

Finding your lost cat is not guaranteed, but you stand a much better chance by completing all of the above steps. This will help make sure that you get your beloved pet back home safe and sound.