Your Cat is Missing, Now What?

We have all been there. Those frantic moments when we realize our cat has either slipped out of the house and gone missing or, for outdoor cats, has not returned home. Our team knows how scary this can be, so we have put together some tips to help you bring your pet home.

Get the Word Out

Don’t hesitate to start getting the word out about your lost pet. Some pet owners may decide to wait and see if their cat returns home, but they will lose valuable time in the search. (Not to mention, there are so many dangers lurking out there for your cat including wild animals, cars, poisons, and so much more.) We highly encourage you to take immediate steps to notify neighbors, social networks and appropriate agencies. Recommendations follow:

• Create a Flyer – Lucky there are many free tools at your disposal to create a compelling flyer from photos on your phone. Canva.com, Crello.com and Sparke.Adobe.com should get you started.
• Post, Post, Post – Truly, you need as many eyes on your flyer as possible, so cover your neighborhood the best you can. (Be a good neighbor and be sure to take them down once your pet is home.)
• Contact Shelters – Make sure your area animal shelter has a copy of your flyer and your pet has been reported missing. Most veterinary hospitals, pet stores, etc. know to refer a lost pet to the local shelter in order to ensure the owner knows where to go. The shelter appropriate for you will be based on your geographic area. For example, our two main shelter agencies in the Greater Seattle area are Seattle Animal Shelter and Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC).
• Update Local Veterinarians – Like the shelters, make sure your local veterinarians have a copy of the flyer and know your pet is missing.
• Don’t Forget the Experts – There are many groups working hard to rescue and provide care to local feral cat colonies. One such groups is Alley Cat Project. As these groups are in the field already helping cats, make sure they are aware of your lost pet.

• Facebook to the Rescue – We have seen first-hand many local Facebook groups dedicated to lost pets help reunite pets and their owners across the region We highly encourage you to get to know those groups now and follow them so if you ever need to quickly use this platform you will be ready to go. Two groups that recently helped us reunite with a lost foster cat are Lost and Found Pets of King County and Lost Dogs and Cats of Seattle. Again, there are many groups that are region and neighborhood specific. Be sure to look for the group closest to you and your pet.

• Let’s Get Social – Don’t forget the biggest search engine of all; all your friends and followers on your social media platforms (i.e. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.). Share photos, details on where your pet was last seen and, most importantly, an easy way for anyone to reach you.
• Websites Boost Your Search – Many neighborhood blogs have pages specifically for lost pets while other sites are dedicated entirely to reuniting pets with their owners. Be sure to search out the sites best for you. Some recommendations include Nextdoor, Lost My Kitty, Pawboost and Lost-Cat. (Just beware of scammers!)

Know How and Where to Search

Well, first step, check every corner of your house. Cats can fit into the smallest of spaces and are truly the best at hiding. Also, their curious nature can lead to them getting trapped in a garage, attic or space you didn’t know you had. Maybe they simply can’t find their way out. Once the house is no longer an option, you will need to begin your larger search.

• Time to Meet the Neighbors – Remember, we have all been there and most people want to help. Be sure to reach out to all your neighbors and share your flyer. Encouraging them to check their houses, porches, trees, garages, etc. can make a huge difference in your search. Even better, they can hit the pavement with you to help find your lost pet. (Also, a great opportunity to share with them tips on how to approach your pet if found and how to reach you directly.)
• Look High AND Low – Cats have a natural tendency to seek out places both high and low. (They like to be able to observe without being seen.) When searching, make sure to keep this in mind. Also, if you do locate your cat atop a high tree, don’t take matters into your own hands. Be sure to call the pros at Canopy Cat Rescue. These heroes rescue cats every day.
• Don’t Forget Small Spaces – Small and enclosed spaces appeal to cats as well; especially in the winter months. Be sure to pound on car hoods, look under porch decks, etc.

Tools of the Trade – Time to put your search kit together. Here are some of our recommendations:

• Flashlight – It may be midday on a sunny day, but don’t forget your flashlight. Cats often like to hide (especially midday) in dense bushes. The flashlight will help you see the reflection of their eyes.
• Night Vision Camera – Sometimes are cats try to come home in the middle of the night. If available, you might consider leaving a camera up so you can track if they come by the house or try to break back in when you are asleep or not home.
• Treats – Bring with you their favorite, smelliest treat for luring out of hiding.
• Towels and Gloves – They may be your best friend, but they will be scared and not acting like themselves if they have been lost. Be sure to have a thick towel and gloves with you so you can easily restrain them and pick them up once found.
• Pet Carrier – Once kitty has been found, you want to easily transport them back home. Be sure to be ready.

Help them Find Their Way Back

Often a lost cat needs help finding its way home. We see this especially with cats who have recently been adopted and are new to their families. They accidently get out and find they are in unfamiliar territory and quickly get lost. Here are some tips to helping them get back to your front door.

• Food and Water – This is always the simplest, most straight-forward step. Leave food and water at both your front and back doors. (If in an apartment, just at the closest entrance to your building.) This will help reinforce that they are close to home.
• Clothes and Bedding – Most lost cats want to return to the safety of their home but have lost their way. If you are to leave unwashed clothing, bedding, etc. outside the home and perhaps even at a neighbors place, the smell will help lure your pet home.
• Litterbox – Another lure and good source of smell is a used litterbox (especially if there are other cat family members in the home). Just leave it out and let the smell bring them back.
• Sounds – For especially timid cats, you may want to consider leaving the windows open and playing cat sound on your television or home speaker. The sounds may lure them back to your home. (YouTube has an eight-hour video clip of just that.)
• Traps – Traps work. Time and time again, rescue groups have been able to easily trap a lost pet with humane bait traps. Just a little food lures them in and the door does the rest. You can reach out to a local animal shelter to see about renting a trap or you can easily purchase one online.

Keep Searching

The most important thing I can share – DON’T GIVE UP. We see time and time again where owners are reunited with their pets after weeks or even months apart. Your cat has a strong instinct to survive. Just be persistent and keep searching and sharing your posts until your kitty is brought back home.

Microchip

Lastly, our team can’t stress this enough. Make sure your pet is microchipped. We recently had a cat reunited with its owner after being missing for a year. Because her pet was scanned and a microchip was present, we just called the family and they were quickly reunited.

As it is National Microchip Month, we encourage everyone to make sure their pets are microchipped so we can ensure everyone gets back home! Call us today at 206.324.4144 if you need to ensure your pet is microchipped.

Next up – How to find a lost dog.