Losing a pet is a traumatic experience for the entire family and can break the hearts of little ones. Cats are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings. Unfortunately, they are not always able to find their way home. Don't panic, as there are ways to get your beloved kitty back home.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Act Now
Step 1. Make sure your cat is not home
These animals have a tendency to get into drawers and love to sleep in tight spaces. Before you alarm everyone in the room and panic the kids, make sure your kitty is really out. Call him and offer him some food. Quickly search his favorite places and check for open doors or windows.
Don't forget to check the garage and garden. The cat might just take a nap on the grass. Look under the car and in the hottest spots, where these animals love to sleep
Step 2. Get help and explore the area around the house
If the cat has just left the house, don't panic. Ask all tenants and neighbors to explore the area around your home. These animals don't usually travel a lot and your kitty is probably close by.
- Organize your search. Assign a road or two to each person who participates. Ask everyone not to overlook any hiding places, such as baskets and spaces under cars.
- Leave the front door open. Your cat may try to return on their own after some time. Make sure he can get in. Leave his favorite blanket and litter box outside so he can smell them and find his way home if he gets lost. Don't forget to leave someone in the house to check for intruders.
- Do not rush. You may be in a hurry to find your kitten, but you may frighten him if you rush too hard. These animals do not appreciate sudden movements and naturally hide when they feel threatened.
- If you live near a main road, make sure the cat hasn't been hit by a car. Often these animals can be victims of road accidents.
Step 3. Call the police
If you have a purebred cat, it may be worth notifying the police. These animals have a pecuniary value and are targeted by thieves.
- Bring a picture and description of the cat with you. They will be useful to the police.
- Make sure the cat really ran away. Don't waste law enforcement time.
Step 4. Set up a new hunt group between 5pm and 8pm
It is worth searching again in the evening if you haven't found your cat during the day, as these animals hunt at night. They also hate loud noises and are more likely to come out when all is quiet outside. Remember that they see better than people in the dark.
- Begin the search at sunset, when the sun is still shining. The low sun will create long shadows, ideal for spotting your kitty.
- Don't forget to bring a flashlight with you. Remember that feline eyes reflect the flashlight beam, making them highly visible at night. Point the light in all directions and under the cars. Look for the typical reflection on the retina of these animals.
- Shake the box of his favorite food as you walk. The sound might attract him.
Step 5. Ask neighbors for information
Cats love to sneak into their neighbors' homes to take a nap or eat something. It might be worth ringing a few bells to investigate. Start with the houses closest to yours and extend the perimeter progressively. Don't forget to bring a picture of the animal with you.
- Leave your contact information to the people you meet. They may find your cat right after your visit.
- Be polite and apologize if you disturb someone. If you make a good impression right away, people will be more willing to help you.
Part 2 of 3: Make Your Search Visible
Step 1. Post flyers in the area
If your cat has been missing for more than a few hours, you need to make your search more efficient. Create a flyer on your computer and ask a few friends to post copies throughout the area.
- Flyers should include a color photo of the cat, his name, your name, the date and place of the disappearance, a telephone number and an email address.
- Ask local businesses if you can post your flyer inside or outside their stores.
- Post the flyer only in places where it is allowed to do so. Don't risk getting a fine.
Step 2. Use the power of the internet
Cats usually stay close to the area they live in, but in some cases they can move further away. Using social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram is the best way to alert many people quickly.
- Especially take advantage of local websites and popular social networks. This is the fastest and most effective way to make sure the news reaches the whole area where you live.
- Post an ad in the local newspaper. It won't be as effective, but you shouldn't leave any stone unturned.
- Offer a reward for the find. This can encourage children and other people to actively search for your cat.
Step 3. Contact animal welfare agencies
Your cat may have been found and taken to a shelter. It's always worth visiting and making sure it's not there. There are also agencies that can help you search for the animal. Check on the internet if there is such a service in your area.
- If you visit a shelter, bring a photo of your cat and his documents with you. This information will serve to ensure that you are the rightful owner.
- Don't wait too long before visiting the shelters. In some countries, animals are put down after some time to make room for others. Fortunately, this is not a common practice and in almost all cases only overly aggressive animals are killed.
- Call the local vets. They may have found your pet.
Part 3 of 3: Catching the Cat and Taking Care of It
Step 1. Approach your cat gently
If you or one of your friends spot the animal, be careful; he might be scared or hurt. Ask for help from everyone present and try to talk to him. Look for possible escape routes and try to anticipate his movements. Approach slowly and, if possible, offer him food. Let him smell your hand and have time to trust you. Then, take it gently in your arms.
- If your cat has a conspicuous wound, be especially careful. Don't make the situation worse or cause him more pain.
- Make sure you get the right cat! It is not always easy to distinguish between two similar animals. Look for your cat's unique traits and try to figure out if she recognizes you.
Step 2. Put the cat at ease
If the animal has been away for a long time, do not traumatize it further. Let it rest for a few days and feed it well. Talk to him and show him your love.
- Do not let the cat out too soon after it disappears. He has to find his territory and get used to the environment again.
- If you decide to let him out again, accompany him. Let me explore a limited area for the first few days. It increases the area it can cover over time.
Step 3. Take him to the vet
If you have been away from home for a few days, a follow-up visit is required. It's not always easy to spot all injuries, such as rib fractures. The animal may also have contracted a skin disease or fleas.
- If he is visibly injured, arrange for the visit as soon as possible. Infections can spread quickly.
- Do not forget to bring information about the animal's medical history with you. They may be useful for diagnosis.
Advice
Be prepared for your cat to run away and teach him to respond to a clicker and specific orders. Many of these animals are terrified when they don't know where they are. They may decide not to leave their hiding place even in the presence of the master. But if they were trained to use the clicker, the tool could help them overcome their fears
Warnings
- If you have other pets and plan to leave the door open, lock them in a room so they can't escape.
- Don't leave food out for your pet. Other wild or stray animals might come and eat it.
