Animal Welfare Advice What to do if you lost your Cat
Immediate actions to start the search for your cat
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Double check your cat is not hiding or stuck somewhere in your house, garden or outbuildings.
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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
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Check – gardens, under decking, in sheds, in cars, in garages, under cars, up trees, in bushes etc.
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If you have had work in your home, contact them to see if your cat could have jumped in the van.
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Encourage neighbours to search their own properties thoroughly.
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Search when it’s quiet – late evening and early morning.
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Take something with a familiar smell or with a sound – cat biscuits, toys with bells etc.
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Take a torch to search dark places.
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Speak to the post-person and other people who regularly walk around the area.
Spreading the word about your lost cat
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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.
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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.
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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.
Don’t give up hope! Cats are often reunited with their owners, sometimes years after they have gone missing.