Not knowing the existence of a cat is a terrible experience. Maybe you're having a hard time finding it or don't know where to start. Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect your cat from being lost and make it easier for you to find it if it roams around.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Looking for a Cat in the House
Step 1. Stay calm
Not knowing the existence of a cat is scary. By being calm, you can think more clearly and maximize your search. Stay relaxed and find the cat as calmly as possible to increase the chances of finding it.
- Have a flashlight ready to accompany your search.
- Think about where you last saw a cat and start from there.
- Stay focus. Search everywhere you can think of.
- Search systematically. Search all possible hiding places in one room before moving on to another.
Step 2. Search inside the house first
As soon as you notice that the cat has been out of sight for some time, start looking around and around the house. By searching the house first, you may be able to find the cat quickly without looking any further.
- Check everywhere, even in small and narrow areas.
- Look behind and under furniture.
- If there's an area you can't reach or see, use a hairdryer to blow warm (not hot) air into the area. If the cat is there, it may be moved to get out.
- Ask family members if they have seen your cat.
- Try shaking a bag of cat food to lure it out of hiding.
- Call the cat's name. The sound of your call can sometimes make the cat approach.
- Listen to the cat's sound as you search to help pinpoint its location.
Step 3. Search in the dark
Cats are nocturnal animals. So, most likely active at night. You could try turning off all the lights in the house, then sitting in silence and listening to the sound of movement. If you can't find the cat during the day, look again when it's dark outside.
Step 4. Use food with a strong odor to lure the cat out
You can try shaking a bag of food, but your cat may not hear it or won't be tempted. Look for something strong smelling like pungent cheese or very fishy fish. Warm it up in the microwave or oven to make the smell stronger and carry it around the house, shaking off the smell with your hands as you search. Who knows the cat can not resist the temptation.
Step 5. Give the cat time
If you've searched and checked all the places you can think of, you might need to wait a while. It could be that the cat has found a hiding spot you missed and it's just sleeping there.
- If a cat that is only used to living indoors isn't found after a thorough search, wait an hour before continuing your search further.
- If your cat is hiding out of fear of something, your search will only keep him hidden.
Part 2 of 3: Expanding Cat Search
Step 1. Look for the cat outside
Even if your cat is an indoor cat, keep looking outside if you can't find one inside. Start looking in the area around the house before moving on to the wider neighborhood.
- Check under any shrubs or plants that may be around the house.
- Look under the car or even under the hood of your car.
- If there is a tree near the house, check to see if the cat is climbing it.
- Always call out the cat's name when looking for it.
- Take your cat's favorite treats with you and shake the pouch as you search.
- Domestic cats usually won't venture too far from the house and generally only roam 150 meters away.
Step 2. Extend the search to the surrounding environment
If you can't find a cat in or around your home, it's time to expand your search area. Start looking around the neighborhood and ask if the neighbors have seen your cat.
- Start searching on foot. This way, you can examine nearby areas in more detail.
- Ask your neighbors if they've seen your cat or ask them to let them know when they see it.
- As you expand the search area further, drive slowly through the surroundings.
- Keep calling the cat's name because your voice can make it approach.
- Do not enter without permission. If you want to find a cat on a neighbor's property, ask permission first.
Step 3. Make a flyer about cats
If you can't find a cat near your house, make a "lost cat" flyer. This leaflet can be affixed in public places that are allowed to preach and inform the people around. Follow some of these suggestions to create a clear and informative flyer:
- Use a simple style or design to avoid confusion.
- Explain the purpose of the flyer clearly. Write “LOST CAT” in bold at the very top.
- Include a photo of the cat if you have one. Make sure the photo represents your cat well.
- Mention the detailed characteristics of the cat. Name, age, breed, weight, coat color, gender, and other special markings.
- Write down your two telephone numbers where you can be reached directly.
Part 3 of 3: Making the Most of Cat Search
Step 1. Call your local animal shelter
If you can't find the cat and no one is calling you, contact your local animal shelter. Someone may have found the cat, but doesn't know where you or the cat live, and they may have taken it to a shelter.
- Contact individual or local government animal shelters.
- Visit the shelter in person and provide details and photos of the cat to help staff identify it, in case someone takes it there.
- Call the shelter every 2 or 3 days.
Step 2. Take advantage of social media
In addition to searching your surroundings, you can use social media to help. Publish details about the missing cat on social media platforms to spread the word to a large group of friends and family at once and engage everyone in the search.
- Prepare a representative cat photo. Make sure the photo can be used to identify your cat.
- Enter details about the cat, including gender, age, breed, weight, coat color, name, and other special markings.
- Tell them when and where the cat was last seen.
Step 3. Assign the correct identity to the cat
By providing an identity, the cat will be easier to return if lost. The two main forms of pet identity are labels and microchips.
- The label is attached to the cat collar. This label is usually made of metal and your contact information will be engraved on it.
- Microchips must be implanted by a veterinarian. This chip contains your contact information digitally, as a backup in case the necklace and tag get lost.
- Always update the information on the label or in the microchip. This will ensure that the person who found your cat knows exactly where to return the cat when it is lost.
Tips
- Cats are usually attracted to their owners or the smell of their owners. If your cat is likely to go outside, put items such as clothes or toys that you and/or your cat used frequently/lastly.
- Once the cat is found, consider giving it a ring so you can find it more easily in the future. You may also want to train your cat to come when his name is called.
- Cats who are used to living outside are likely to be found in their favorite tree.
- Providing proper identification-whether with a labeled collar or a microchip-is a great way to get your cat back quickly if it's lost.
- Domestic cats may only roam a maximum of 0.02 km from their homes.
- Feral cats roam a larger area, possibly more than 4 km.
