1.) Start foot search immediately. The sooner you start searching, less distance your cat will have traveled. Thoroughly search the surrounding property and continue in the direction that your cat was last seen heading. Go door-to-door, starting close by initially, moving further out later.
Bring a flashlight and check EVERYWHERE: under vehicles and in engine compartments (especially during cold weather), bushes, wood piles, inside pipes and culverts, in heavy brush, sheds, basement crawl spaces, open garages, under decks. Your cat may be stuck somewhere, extremely frightened, or injured and lying low.
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Because even declawed cats can climb and jump quite high, check trees, roofs, and other high places.
If your cat may still be inside the house, be sure to check the following:
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closets
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cupboards
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behind and inside washers and dryers
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In reclining chairs — inside the ledge that supports the footrest when it is extended
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In box spring or mattress — with a flashlight look for torn lining in box spring or mattress
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Under platform beds
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Behind the books in a bookcase
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Behind opened drawers in a dresser
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In the chimney
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In heating ducts
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Behind access panels
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Behind the refrigerator or stove
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Wrapped in the bottom of drapes
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Attics
If you have recently moved, check your old neighborhood and talk with people there and post flyers.
2.) Think like your cat. Put aside your human logic for awhile and put on your animal thinking cap. Were there any sounds or events just prior to the escape that could account for either running towards or running away from something? Dogs often run off for the fun of it, while cats are generally chased off their territory (by a new cat in the house or a new cat in the neighborhood). Cats may also be lured into chasing squirrels, rabbits, birds, etc.
3.) Look for clues. Look for physical evidence like fur (caught under fences, on shrubs, around broken screens), paw prints, and urine or feces that may provide clues.
4.) Could your pet be trapped? Have any neighbors recently moved, gone on vacation, or renovating their house? Your cat may have been inadvertently locked in a moving van, delivery truck, or the garage of a vacationing neighbor. It is also possible that home construction or renovations might have sealed off part of neighbor's property the day your cat disappeared.
5.) Leave out food and water, as well as belongings with a familiar scent. Especially your cat’s favorite. Tuna and fishy-smelling canned foods often work well, even if your cat is not used to getting them. Open canned food outside periodically – just the sound of a can opening gets attention!
6.) Go out at night when the streets are quiet, call for your cat, and then listen for any response. Many animals forage for food between 1-5 AM because they feel safer in the dark. The more timid your cat is, the quieter and more slowly you should walk. Bring food and make a noise that would motivate your cat to come running towards you (tapping on/opening a can or rustling a food or treat bag). Keep your safety in mind as well.
7.) Make flyers with a clear photo of your cat. Print "LOST CAT" in large letters, preferably on fluorescent paper. Include: your cat's coloring, hair length, and any distinctive markings or traits like declawed paws, whether he has a collar, location cat was last seen, as well as a phone number where you can be reached. If you want, add that calls are welcome 24 hours a day. Ask that neighbors be on the alert and notify you if they hear sounds of cat fights, yowling, or meowing.
Many neighbors will assume that after a couple weeks either the cat is found or the owner gives up. After a few weeks, remind them that you continue to search with a follow up flyer that says CAT STILL LOST.
For safety considerations, you may not want to include your name, address, or a specific reward amount. The type of people that you want to call with tips are animal lovers who don't care about the money — not pranksters and people looking to make buck.
Post flyers on utility poles at busy street intersections, at local veterinary offices, pet stores, pet groomers, laundromats, and community bulletin boards. Make black and white versions of the flyers and leave one at each house nearby.
8.) Talk to everyone you meet. Show them the poster and ask if they have seen your cat — particularly neighbors who leave food out for animals, walkers and joggers, children, newspaper carriers, mail and package delivery people.
As time passes, be sure to keep your presence in the neighborhood known. If neighbors see you looking, it will remind them to keep their eyes out. You can't be everywhere at once — depend on others to be your eyes and ears. It may be some time before you are reunited with your pet so take advantage of any offers of help.
9.) Leave a message on your answering machine asking for the date, time, and location when the caller may have seen your missing cat, as well as the caller's name and phone number in case you have questions.
10.) Visit local animal shelters often, daily if possible.
11.) Place an ad in the local paper. And check the Found Pet section of the newspaper. Many newspapers now have classifieds listed online.
12.) Set a live-trap – a harmless way to capture a cat who won’t show himself while people are around. Traps can be borrowed from many animal shelters or can be purchased fairly inexpensively from most hardware stores.
Don't give up after only a few days, or simply wait for your pet to return on his own. Many pets are found weeks or months after they disappear. With knowledge and persistence MANY cats can be found.
An indoor-only cat that thoroughly adores its special people and routines, and has shown fear of the outdoors, runs from strangers and new cats, etc., will likely find the surroundings overwhelming if suddenly outside. He may not be very resourceful in getting food and water, is least likely to show himself, and not likely to approach a stranger. He may go into “complete cover mode”. He will likely be found very close, maybe 1 – 5 houses away.
An indoor-only cat that seems to have little fear, is friendly with a wide number of humans and cats, and maybe even dogs, is calm, easy going, and inquisitive by nature, has not shown fear of the outdoors and does not run from strangers or new cats. While this type of cat may be somewhat uncertain once he gets outside, he may become very resourceful and is may make his presence known and even approach another human. This type of cat may wander the farthest, possibly up to 2 miles.
An indoor-only cat that is extremely timid with humans, and seems more comfortable around cats, possibly born of a feral (wild) mother, has shown interest in being around other cats, shown interest in the outdoors, but runs from strangers and is not very bonded with its people. While this type of cat will likely be resourceful in getting food and water, and may show itself from afar, he is less likely to approach a human and may run if approached. This cat will likely develop a range, or home turf that it is familiar with. If there are existing feral cats in the area and plenty of food, most likely it will stay within the same range. |
