Losing a pet is a traumatic experience for the whole family and can be heart-wrenching for children. Cats are naturally curious and like to explore the environment in which they live. Incidentally, these pets can't always find their way home. Don't panic, there are several ways to bring your beloved cat back home.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Act Fast
Step 1. Make sure that the cat is not in the house
Cats have a tendency to crawl into drawers and like to sleep in confined spaces. Before disturbing everyone and panicking the kids, make sure that the cat is really outside. Call her name and offer food. Quickly check his favorite places and look for any open windows or doors.
Don't forget to check out the garage and garden/park. Your cat may just be napping in the grass. Look under the car and in warm places he likes to sleep
Step 2. Ask for help and explore the entire area around your house
If your cat has just left the house, don't panic. Ask your household and neighbors to explore the area around your house. Cats don't usually go far and are likely to be very close.
- Form a team. Assign a path or two for each member of the search team. Ask them to do a systematic search and to look under cars and behind boxes/crates.
- Leave the front door open. Your cat may want to return home after a while. Make sure your pet can enter the house. Leave your favorite blanket or litter box (a special litter box where your cat can dispose of urine or feces) outside to spread the smell. This will help if your cat gets lost. Don't forget to have someone stay indoors to check for possible smugglers.
- Don't run. You may want to rush to chase your cat down the street. The sudden movement will frighten your pet. Cats do not like sudden movements and become nervous and restless to hide when they feel threatened.
- If you live close to a highway, make sure your cat doesn't get hit by a car. Unfortunately, cats are prone to such accidents.
Step 3. Call the police
If you have a pedigree cat, you may need to report it to the police. Pedigree cats are economically valuable and are targeted by thieves. Bring a photo and description of the cat.
- Bring a photo as well as a description (characteristics) of your cat. Both will help the police.
- Try to make sure that your cat doesn't run away. You don't have to waste police time.
Step 4. Form a new search team between 5pm and 8pm
If you can't find your cat during the day, it's a good idea to look for it again at night. Cat hunting at night. Cats also don't like noise and will most likely come out when everything outside has calmed down. Remember that cats have better night vision than humans.
- Begin your search in the late afternoon when the sun is still shining. The position of the afternoon sun will create long shadows that are ideal for finding your little friend.
- Don't forget to bring a lamp. Keep in mind that your cat's eyes will reflect your light, making it very visible at night. Shine the lights in all directions and also to the bottom of the car. Look for the peculiarities of the cat's retinal reflection.
- Shake the cat's favorite food container as you walk around. The sound might catch his attention.
Step 5. Check door to door
Cats like to enter the neighbor's house secretly, just to sleep or find food. It might be helpful to knock on a neighbor's door to ask. Start with the nearest neighbor then expand the search limit. Don't forget to bring a photo of your cat.
- Give your position to the people you meet. They may know your cat soon after your visit.
- Be polite and apologize if you bother someone. If you leave a good first impression, maybe people will volunteer to help.
Part 2 of 3: Making Your Search Known to Others
Step 1. Distribute posters about the loss in the local community
Your cat has been missing for more than a few hours and it's time to be efficient. Make a poster using the computer and ask a few friends to pass photocopies around the neighborhood.
- Your poster should contain a color photo of your cat and its name, as well as your name, time and location of the cat's disappearance, phone number and email address.
- Ask the business owners (shops, stalls, restaurants, etc.) in your neighborhood for permission to distribute your posters inside and outside their stores.
- Do not distribute posters if it is an offence. You certainly don't want to be fined.
Step 2. Use the power of the internet
Cats usually live in an area where the animal lives but can sometimes go further afield. Using social media, such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, is a great way to quickly alert large numbers of people.
- Define popular local and social media websites. Both are the fastest and most efficient means of ensuring that the entire area where you live is covered.
- Place an ad in the local newspaper. These methods tend to be less effective, but you need to try the possibilities.
- You can offer gifts. This may encourage children and others to search for your cat more eagerly.
Step 3. Contact an animal protection charity
Your cat may have been found and taken to a shelter. It's a good idea to visit and make sure your cat isn't there. There are also charities that help with the search process. Check the internet to find one that is located in your neighborhood.
- If you go to a shelter, take photos and documents of your cat with you. They may need to make sure that you are the rightful owner.
- Don't wait too long to visit the shelter. In some countries, animals are sometimes kept separate from others. Incidentally, this is not a common practice and most shelters will only do so with aggressive animals.
- Contact your local veterinarian. It's possible that they host your pet.
Part 3 of 3: Catching and Caring for Your Cat
Step 1. Approach your cat gently
If you or your friends know where the cat is, be careful. Your cat may be frightened or injured. Call a friend to help you and try to talk to the cat. Look for potential escape routes and try to anticipate their movements. Approach slowly and, if possible, offer food. Let the cat sniff your hand and give the cat time to trust you. Grab and lift the cat gently.
- If your cat looks hurt, try to be very careful. You don't need to make the situation worse or cause undue pain.
- Make sure you pick the right cat! It's not always easy to guess which animals have a resemblance. Look for special signs and try to tell if the cat recognizes you.
Step 2. Make your cat feel comfortable
If your cat is running away for a long time, you don't need to traumatize him more. Let your pet rest for a few days and give it plenty of food. Talk to your pet and show your affection.
- Don't let your cat out too soon after the loss. The cat needs to spot the signs and get used to its surroundings.
- If you decide to let the cat back out of the house, go with it. Let your pet explore a small area first. Expand your roaming zone every day.
Step 3. Take your cat to the vet
If your cat is out for a few days, it may be worth taking him to the vet. Injuries, such as fractures to the ribs, are not always easy to spot. Your cat may also have a skin disease or fleas.
- If the body looks injured when you find it again, don't delay a visit to the doctor. The infection may spread very quickly.
- Do not forget to bring the cat's medical history. A medical history may be useful in the treatment process.
Warning
- If you have other pets and plan to leave the door open, lock your pet in the room or it will escape as well.
- Don't leave food for your pet outside. Stray animals or other wild animals who are more familiar with the area and feel more comfortable coming at night, will pick them up before your pet. The animals will also see it as an invitation to come back again!
Tips
Plan ahead and train your cat to come when you hear clicks or other specific commands. Many stray cats get really, really scared. The animal may not even come out when its owner approaches. But if the animal has been trained to come when it hears a click or a command, it can overcome the fear and push it out of hiding
Related wikiHow Articles
- How to Discipline a Cat
- How to Tame a Lost Cat
- How to Adopt a Cat
Sources and Citation
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/scientists-crack-a-great-mystery-why-do-cats-love-sleeping-in-cardboard-boxes-10029762.html
- https://www.icatcare.org/advice/keeping-your-cat-safe/minimising-risks-outdoor-cat
- https://www.petsamaritans.co.uk/what-to-do-when-your-cat-goes-missing/
- https://www.cats.org.uk/cat-care/cat-care-faqs
- https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96414364
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/entries/14475729-9c37-3b12-9d6b-3f51bae8fe45
- https://www.battersea.org.uk/apex/webarticle?pageId=074-frequentlyaskedquestions
- https://www.icatcare.org/advice/keeping-your-cat-safe/minimising-risks-outdoor-cat
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https://www.petmd.com/cat/emergency/accidents-injuries/e_ct_wound_treatment
