Matthews, NC Lost Female Cat, Lilly Oakley Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Kimberly M.

2 weeks ago

***How to Find a Lost Cat*** THOROUGHLY SEARCH YOUR HOME AND SURROUNDINGS Start by searching your home thoroughly, including the garage, shed, deck, crawlspaces, underneath porches, sewers, and drainage pipes. Check closets, cabinets, the attic, basement, and appliances like the clothes dryer. Ask neighbors to check under crawlspaces, decks, porches, sheds, and garages, as cats can become trapped. Extend your search three to five houses in either direction and recheck areas often, since cats may move between hiding spots. If your cat is accustomed to being outdoors, widen your search area. The best times to search are late at night or early morning when it’s quiet. Use a flashlight to catch eye reflection. Avoid searching just once and assuming they aren’t nearby. Searching can unintentionally spook a cat, causing them to hide deeper. Cats’ vision blurs beyond 20 feet, so even if they see you, they may not recognize you and could run in fear. Most indoor-only cats are found very close to home, often within 50 to 150 feet, hiding under decks, porches, bushes, or crawlspaces. Many remain hidden for 10 to 17 days before feeling safe enough to come out. BE PATIENT AND PERSISTENT Your cat is likely nearby even if you can’t see them. They may hear you but be too scared to respond. Studies show that 75% of lost cats are found within one third of a mile, 18% are found just outside the home entrance, most indoor cats are located within the first few houses, and 59% are found alive when owners physically search bushes and hiding spots. About 56% are found within two months, though many cats return home months or even years later. DON’T ASSUME THE WORST Don’t assume your cat met a predator. Cats are excellent at hiding and conserving energy. Use every search method from the moment your cat goes missing. SET HUMANE TRAPS Use humane traps such as Tomahawk or Tru Catch in areas you can monitor frequently. Shelters often rent traps. Avoid raccoon traps, as they can injure cats due to their short size and slim trigger plates. You can also use your home or garage as a trap by leaving doors open and monitoring closely. CONTACT YOUR MICROCHIP COMPANY Notify your cat’s microchip company that your cat is missing and confirm your contact information is up to date. Contact Veterinary Clinics and Shelters Contact local veterinary clinics, hospitals, and emergency vets and ask to email a flyer. Report your cat to Animal Care & Control and monitor their website regularly, as it updates hourly. Visit the shelter in person every three days. The shelter will hold animals on a 3-day stray hold before adoption. Address: 8315 Byrum Drive, Charlotte, NC 28227. Hours: Monday–Friday 11:00 AM–7:00 PM, Weekends 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Note: The shelter no longer accepts healthy stray adult cats unless sick or injured. Healthy stray cats should be returned to where they were found. CHECK ONLINE RESOURCES Check the Animal Care & Control lost and found page and file a Lost Pet Notice with photos and details. Reports expire after 30 days, so renew if needed. You can also file a report with Petco Love Lost (https://petcolove.org/lost/). POST FLYERS Post brightly colored, laminated “Lost Pet” flyers throughout your neighborhood and town. Laminated flyers withstand weather and repeated exposure helps awareness. Include a clear face photo and a side view showing body and tail. Focus on high-traffic areas and place flyers in mailboxes secured under the red flag. Give one to your mail carrier. When my cat Charlie went missing, covering my neighborhood with laminated flyers made the biggest difference. LEVERAGE SOCIAL MEDIA Post on Nextdoor, Neighbors app, Reddit (Lost & Found Pets), Craigslist, PawBoost, PetAmberAlert, and local Facebook lost and found pet groups. WATCH HELPFUL VIDEOS Kim Freeman’s YouTube videos are an excellent resource. She is a lost cat recovery specialist and shares proven strategies. CREATE A SCENT CIRCLE Tie strips of clothing worn by your cat’s favorite human to trees or bushes 3 to 4 feet off the ground in a 50 to 60-foot radius around your home. This scent beacon can help guide your cat back. Placing a litter box outside can backfire by attracting predators or territorial cats and is often unnecessary. Don’t give up and stay pawsitive. 🐾

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