Animal Welfare Advice What to do if you lost your Cat

Animal Welfare Advice What to do if you lost your Cat

Immediate actions to start the search for your cat

• Double check your cat is not hiding or stuck somewhere in your house, garden or outbuildings.
• Cats have a great sense of smell – leave the following outside your home; used cat litter, contents of your vacuum, your cats used bed, hang your cats blanket on the washing line & on the floor, things that smell like you e.g. socks, insoles, slippers, sleep-wear etc.

The search for a lost cat

• Check – gardens, under decking, in sheds, in cars, in garages, under cars, up trees, in bushes etc. 
• If you have had work in your home, contact them to see if your cat could have jumped in the van.
• Encourage neighbours to search their own properties thoroughly.
• Search when it’s quiet – late evening and early morning.
• Take something with a familiar smell or with a sound – cat biscuits, toys with bells etc.
• Take a torch to search dark places.
• Speak to the post-person and other people who regularly walk around the area.

Spreading the word about your lost cat

• Use Social Media – post on your own timeline and well as missing pets groups and pages.  Make sure you include a clear picture, description, date it went missing, location it went missing, information on if your cat is neutered/chipped, any distinguishing features etc.  MAKE SURE YOU POST IS VISIBLE TO EVERYONE – check your Facebook setting > privacy > who can see posts > public.
• Posters – not everyone is on Facebook or online so ADVERTS, POSTERS AND FLYERS ARE VITAL!  It should include the same information as social media post plus your contact details.
• If your cat is not micro-chipped check with your local vets and local rescue centres to see if a cat has been brought in, you will need proof of ownership.