Tips to Finding a Lost Cat
Before Your Cat Goes Missing
Make sure your cat has a microchip, and if possible, wears a collar and ID tag. Additionally, make sure to register the microchip with whatever service it is managed through.
Conduct a Thorough Physical Search
Thoroughly Check Your House
Unless you actually see your cat leave your house, make sure to thoroughly check every inch of your home. Check inside cupboards, under mattresses, and behind dressers. Make sure to check multiple times because your cat may change their hiding spot.
Searching Outside
If your cat has never been outside before, they will likely not travel very far from home. Check under objects where they could hide, such as porches, cars, and bushes. Even if your cat is normally very friendly, they may not come to you when they hear your voice or see you, so it is important to check everywhere. If possible, get your neighbor’s permission to search on their property and in any structures that your cat may be in, such as a garage.
Go over the same area multiple times, and at different times of the day. Most cats are the most active late at night and early in the morning.
Distribute Flyers, Use Social Media
Put up large, eye-catching posters with photos, a physical description, a personality description, and contact information. Additionally, post your lost pet information on social media sites.
Contact Local Animal Shelters and Veterinarians
Make sure to contact all local animal shelters and veterinarians, not just the closest ones to your property.
Set Humane Traps
Set humane traps where you can regularly check them frequently with food and water. If you don’t have a humane trap, animal shelters will often loan the traps out to the public. You can try putting a towel that smells like home in the trap, or your cat's dirty litterbox next to it.
Don't Give Up
Even if your cat has been missing for a long time, don't give up searching, there is a chance that your cat is alive and well. There have been many stories of cats surviving the impossible and later coming back home to their family.
For additional tips, check out these resources:
https://www.homeagain.com/articles/how-to-find-a-lost-cat-using-personality-clues.html
https://bestfriends.org/resources/how-find-lost-cat
https://www.petfinder.com/blog/2013/09/top-10-tips-for-finding-lost-cats/
Resource: Liz Finch, The Case of the Missing Cat
Make sure your cat has a microchip, and if possible, wears a collar and ID tag. Additionally, make sure to register the microchip with whatever service it is managed through.
Conduct a Thorough Physical Search
Thoroughly Check Your House
Unless you actually see your cat leave your house, make sure to thoroughly check every inch of your home. Check inside cupboards, under mattresses, and behind dressers. Make sure to check multiple times because your cat may change their hiding spot.
Searching Outside
If your cat has never been outside before, they will likely not travel very far from home. Check under objects where they could hide, such as porches, cars, and bushes. Even if your cat is normally very friendly, they may not come to you when they hear your voice or see you, so it is important to check everywhere. If possible, get your neighbor’s permission to search on their property and in any structures that your cat may be in, such as a garage.
Go over the same area multiple times, and at different times of the day. Most cats are the most active late at night and early in the morning.
Distribute Flyers, Use Social Media
Put up large, eye-catching posters with photos, a physical description, a personality description, and contact information. Additionally, post your lost pet information on social media sites.
Contact Local Animal Shelters and Veterinarians
Make sure to contact all local animal shelters and veterinarians, not just the closest ones to your property.
Set Humane Traps
Set humane traps where you can regularly check them frequently with food and water. If you don’t have a humane trap, animal shelters will often loan the traps out to the public. You can try putting a towel that smells like home in the trap, or your cat's dirty litterbox next to it.
Don't Give Up
Even if your cat has been missing for a long time, don't give up searching, there is a chance that your cat is alive and well. There have been many stories of cats surviving the impossible and later coming back home to their family.
For additional tips, check out these resources:
https://www.homeagain.com/articles/how-to-find-a-lost-cat-using-personality-clues.html
https://bestfriends.org/resources/how-find-lost-cat
https://www.petfinder.com/blog/2013/09/top-10-tips-for-finding-lost-cats/
Resource: Liz Finch, The Case of the Missing Cat