How To Find a Lost Cat: 12 Tips
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How To Find a Lost Cat: 12 Tips

Est. read time: 7 min.

One of the scariest moments a pet parent might face is realizing that their furry family member is missing. July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month: Learn why you should microchip your pet and read our 12 tips for how to find a lost cat. Be persistent and don’t lose hope!

Reminder: Microchip your cat

Microchipping is a sure way to drastically increase your chances of finding a lost pet. According to Petfinder.com, the return-to-owner rate for microchipped cats is over 38% (compared to a heartbreaking 2% that aren’t microchipped). 

Need a refresher on what microchipping is? This inexpensive device is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder about the size of a grain of rice that is inserted under your pet’s skin. It’s a radio-frequency identification (RFID) implant that contains a unique identification number. The number is linked to your information and stored in an online database. Learn more about common misconceptions when it comes to microchipping your pet.

Consider a breakaway collar with ID tags

Not all cats will permit themselves to be outfitted with a collar. But for those that do (and make sure it’s a breakaway collar!), consider attaching an unobtrusive ID tag to the collar. This tag should include your phone number, your home address (optional), and the fact that your cat is microchipped, if applicable. The tag can also have your cat’s name on it, but it’s unlikely she will come to her name when called by a stranger (as a dog might).

How to find a lost cat

Brown tabby cat sitting near a road - how to find a lost cat
Photo by Zane Lee on Unsplash

A majority of cats that escape outside do so through an open door or garage. Some also leave via a window or broken window screen, or even jump from a balcony. Be vigilant about open doors and windows in your home, including patio doors and those windows that are screened.

One study found that in the past five years, 75% of cats that went missing were reunited with their humans: “In this study, 59% of cats were found by looking in the neighborhood and 30% came home on their own; only 2% were found at the local animal control.”

Even if you’ve microchipped your cat and outfitted her with an ID tag, there are multiple strategies you can employ to take the matter into your own hands—without relying on the kindness of strangers who may or may not be able to catch your lost fur baby.

1. Make sure your cat isn’t hiding somewhere inside

This may seem totally obvious, but you should never underestimate a cat’s ability to discover new hiding places. Check cracks and crevices in the basement, recliners, cupboards, drawers, closets, loose ceiling tiles, under mattresses, inside your dryer, the list goes on! Fortunately, there’s a good chance your kitty is just an expert at concealing herself and not lost at all. 

2. Shake treat bags and open canned cat food

If, however, you are certain you’ve scoured every accessible inch of your home, garage, and/or shed, and there’s no kitty to be found, take your search outside. If your cat is recently missing, there’s a good possibility she is close to home. Shake a bag of her favorite treats while calling for her, or open a can of her favorite wet food. You can even record the noise of opening a can of wet food to have this enticing soundbite on hand as you walk around.

3. Set water and food in a cardboard box outside your door(s)

Your escaped cat may be feeling too vulnerable and overwhelmed to come to you when called. Set an empty cardboard box outside your exterior door(s) and place a bowl of food and fresh water inside. Not only will your kitty have access to the essentials, but she’ll have a box to hide inside if she’s feeling scared. 

long-haired tabby cat hiding under a pine tree - how to find a lost cat
Photo by Vicky Summer on Unsplash

4. Check trees on your property

Look up: It sounds like a cliché, but cats do get stuck in trees! Check all the trees and bushes around your property, even the ones that appear uncomfortable to you. (Think pine trees, thorny bushes, and more.) Your cat could have followed a bird up a tree or a small critter into a bush. Or, she could have simply panicked and tried to find a protective natural enclosure.

5. Go door-to-door in your neighborhood

These days, most of us have an absurd amount of photos of our pets on our phones. Have a clear photograph of your cat ready to pull up on your phone and start walking the neighborhood. Show your neighbors the photograph and ask if they’ll allow you to search their property, including garages and sheds that your cat could have gotten into. Leave your contact info with them in case they spot your kitty later on. 

6. Call local shelters, vet clinics, and animal control

Give a detailed description of your missing pet (or better yet, bring photocopies) to animal shelters, vet clinics, and animal control in your area . Let them know if your cat is microchipped. If a good samaritan decides to drop off your kitty, some of these locations may have the necessary microchip readers—or at the very least, they can contact you and let you know a cat of similar description has shown up.

7. Post your lost pet information on social media sites

In addition to the usual Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, post your lost pet information to sites like TabbyTracker.com, Nextdoor.com, PetAmberAlert.com, Craigslist, and local online newspapers like Patch.

8. Post flyers in your and surrounding neighborhoods

Post flyers on utility poles in the surrounding neighborhoods and at as many local businesses as will allow. Flyers should include a color photo of your cat as well as your phone number. Brightly colored flyers tend to attract more attention. If possible, offer a reward as incentive.

9. Place a lost cat ad

Since not everyone is on social media, you can also try a more traditional route and place lost cat ads in your local newspapers. Call your local radio stations to see if they run free air spots for lost pets.

10. Set humane traps

Place a humane live trap, such as a Havahart, near your house with a bit of canned cat food inside. (If you don’t have one, check with your local shelter or animal control to see if they can rent you one.) Leave the live trap out overnight; you may end up with a raccoon instead of a cat, but it doesn’t hurt to try!

11. Search outside at night

Cats are usually crepuscular or nocturnal, which means your lost kitty could be stepping lively after dark. Head outside with a flashlight and can of cat food, preferably after midnight when the world has quieted down. You may be able to spot your cat more easily because of the light reflecting off her eyes, or she may simply feel more comfortable approaching you in a calmer environment.

12. Don’t lose hope

Finally, don’t give up on your search for your cat. There are plenty of stories out there where cats have returned home weeks or even months after disappearing. Keep pounding the pavement around your neighborhood, checking in with shelters, and posting to relevant sites online. Chances are, your kitty is trying to get back to you as hard as you’re trying to find her. And many animal experts agree that cats have an incredible homing instinct, which means that they can perceive direction using something beyond the five ordinary senses of taste, smell, sight, touch, and hearing.

Keep these strategies for how to find a lost cat close, and microchip your cat for further peace of mind!

Sources:

Cover photo by niklas_hamann on Unsplash

black and white cat in brush outside - how to find a lost cat

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