Finding a lost cat can be significantly harder than finding a dog. Cats are smaller, tend to hide more, and are often mistaken for outdoor or feral cats. Thankfully, there are some tried and true methods that owners can try to bring their cat home. These include updating chip information, making your home hospitable, alerting local organizations, searching nearby, posting on social media, and hanging flyers. These six tips have helped many owners find their lost cats, even after days or weeks have passed.
1. Make Sure Your Cat’s Microchip is Updated
Most animals have a microchip inserted just under their skin that has contact information on it. When organizations such as animal control, shelters, and vets receive a cat, the first action they will take it to scan the cat for a chip. This preventative measure is just one of many reasons to microchip your cat. If your cat has a chip, go online to make sure the chip information is up to date and lists your name and phone number.
If the chip is registered elsewhere, such as a vet’s office or breeder, make sure to contact that organization and let them know your cat is lost. This way, the organization will know to alert you if they receive a phone call with the cat’s location. Depending on the registration method, you may also have time to go online or call the chip company and update the chip information to reflect your ownership.
2. Make It Easy for Your Cat to Come Home
It’s possible that your lost cat will return on their own, so you should make your home accessible to them in case this happens. If possible, leave a door, window, or garage cracked open so that your cat can get back into the house. Guide your cat back by placing scent-heavy items near the opening. This can include bedding, blankets and linens, toys, and even a litter box (dirty, as gross as it may sound).
When this is not feasible (such as due to weather conditions), try instead to offer some sort of shelter to keep your cat near your home. A pet carrier, storage tote, or anything else that can provide temporary shelter can be used. Place the scent-heavy items in the temporary shelter along with a water dish and some food.
If you can afford it, install cameras around your home that link to your phone. This will allow you to keep an eye out for your cat even when you are not home. Additionally, the cameras will show you if your cat is coming around the house, even if they are not coming in or going out of the temporary shelter. If you already have cameras, such as a doorbell camera, review footage regularly to look out for your cat.
Cameras will also be able to help you differentiate between your cat and other cats. Although domestic cats don’t need to go outside, some owners continue to let their pets roam. These cats could be eating food you left out or investigating your outdoor shelter, giving you false hope that your pet is nearby.
3. Alert City Animal Control and Local Shelters
As soon as your cat goes missing, make sure to file a lost pet report with your city animal control. Depending on your city, you may have to go into the office in person to file a lost pet report. If you have to file in person, have a photo on hand to provide for the staff. You should also go to local animal shelters and either file lost pet reports, missing animal notices, or whatever other alert system each shelter uses. Have photos for the shelters, as well.
While such reports and notices are helpful, shelters are often busy, and your cat may be overlooked (especially if they have a common coloring or pattern). As such, you should make it a priority to visit local shelters in person at least once per week and check to see if your cat is there.
If an animal is obviously a pet, most shelters will put the cat on a pet or stray hold for several days. However, note that such holds vary per shelter: some may wait a week or more, while others may just wait a few days. Additionally, if your cat is not chipped and does not have a collar on, then shelters may mistake your animal for being abandoned, having no owner, or being feral. Not to be alarming, but you should also be aware of whether your local shelters are traditional or no-kill shelters, as this could impact how frequently you need to check them.
4. Manually Search Your Neighborhood
When a cat is lost near their home, they will typically stay within 10 miles. This means that, more than likely, your cat will hunker down in your neighborhood if they can’t get back into or find your house. Bushes or foliage-heavy areas, storm drains, sheds or playhouses, and decks or porches are all common areas for cats to hide.
Search your neighborhood in the evening or at night, if it is safe for you to do so. Softly call your cat and use a flashlight to see if you can spot your pet. Make sure to search thoroughly: your cat may be too scared to reveal themselves. For areas on private property (such as sheds and decks), alert your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye out for your cat.
You can also search during the day, but your cat is less likely to come out. Bright light, loud noises, and crowds tend to make cats hide, making it more difficult for you to find them. If you know areas where stray cats go during the day, you can also check those places to see if your cat felt comfortable enough to go there.
5. Post on Social Media Networks
Post on your social media networks when you realize your cat is looking. The wide reach and geographic dispersment can be a boon, especially in urban or crowded neighborhoods. You should also post to any social media groups specifically dedicated to lost pets in your city (such as on Facebook) or any neighborhood-specific social media (such as Nextdoor).
In your posts, make sure to include clear photos of your cat (ideally from several angles), their name, a physical description with any identifying characteristics, and your contact information. If you do not feel comfortable providing personal contact information, instruct people to leave comments or message you privately through the media app.
While your cat is lost, you should regularly check your social media feeds. Users may provide sightings of your cat or even additional tips to help you find your cat, which can be extremely helpful. For example, they could provide information on local pet tracking services or areas where lost pets often turn up. Another user may also find your cat and post about it, especially if your posts are several days or weeks old.
You can also use social media to source tips and search strategies other owners have used. For example, there is quite a bit of overlap between advice for lost cats and tips for finding lost dogs.
6. Print and Hang Flyers in Your Neighborhood
Hanging ‘Lost Cat’ flyers and posters in your neighborhood may be old-fashioned, but it is one of the best ways to make sure the people in your immediate geographic circle are aware of a lost animal. This can include your neighborhood and any close neighborhoods that your cat may have travelled to. Flyers can be printed at a local library, print shop, or even some chain stores such as Walmart that offer photography and printing services.
The flyers should have a picture of your pet (color, if possible, or a very clear black and white image), their name, a list of any distinct characteristics, and contact information if your cat is sighted or found. If neighbors should know anything about your cat’s temperament (if they are skittish, aggressive, etc.), that should also be included on the flyers.
Flyers should be hung up on stop signs, lampposts, common areas, and other high-traffic and high-visibility areas. Flyers can also be rolled up and placed in mailboxes or similarly distributed. If you have any local shops or restaurants, ask the owners or workers if you can put a sign up in the storefront window.
If you have an HOA or similar governing organization, make sure to check the regulations or ask a member if hanging up signs is allowed. Additionally, make sure the way you hang the flyers will not cause damage. Generally, painter’s tape is safe on most surfaces and will not leave permanent residue.
