Linda M.
3 months ago
Tips Lost Cat NJ:
Posters with “Do not chase, call with sighting” are very important and using Pawboost has helped many owners as well. Marie Ganz helped a local rescue group find two cats on separate occasions lost for over a month. Her contact info is listed below along with other tips. Feel free to message me to review if needed.
Feel free to copy & paste to share with any owners of lost cats.
Here's tips for finding lost cats. If the cat was adopted from rescue, notify them immediately and ask if they can offer help and suggestions. If no one saw cat leave house, search thoroughly inside using flashlight to see eye reflection and open and check closets, cabinets, drawers, attics and bats - make sure he or she didn't get stuck in ceiling by pushing tiles open, or anywhere else. You can keep closet and other inside doors open and place bowl of food with flour around it to see if it’s been eaten - look for paw prints. Cats hide when not feeling well.
FIRST and most importantly, read all tips on
missinganimalresponse (com) websites
for information on searching based on cat's temperament, behavior, and whether indoor only, indoor/outdoor, or outdoor only. Also use information on sites for neon poster format (always add Do Not Chase - Call with Sighting, Check Sheds, Garages with Flashlight.), resource links, and pet detective services. If your cat is indoor only and spayed/neutered, he or she is probably hiding nearby and staying within 5-10 houses or if further, 5-10 blocks in either direction or less unless chased out of territory. Normally they hide first few days and then venture out at night or early morning for food when quieter. They usually find a specific place to access for shelter like in or under sheds, decks, porches, or garages, or by bushes establishing this as base to leave from looking for food and return to for safety. Inside only cats are usually more scared, hide longer, and stay closer to home. See tips below.
Conduct searches starting at home and expanding in circular radius from starting point to thoroughly check and cover areas. Repeat as necessary. Put supervised only trap and check every 2 hours in good weather and every half hour to hour depending on hot or cold temperatures with food in it in your yard or by last sighting dusk, evening, and dawn. Keep in mind setting 3 traps spaced out in triangle increases chances. Never leave trap set when no one is there, close trap, remove bait food, and wash trap if another animal was caught. May be better not to leave food overnight to avoid attracting wildlife, etc. or just use dry food if trapping at night. Make sure each trap is covered top and most of the sides, supervised at all times, and checked often. Put 1/2 of dry food feeding and water out daily after 2nd or 3rd day and away from trap to keep in area. Put something that smells like you (worn socks) and cat (toy, bedding, etc.) in yard and smaller item(s) in trap or nearby - add catnip if likes it. Many advise not to put out used litter, as it may attract a predator. Note: Kentucky Fried Chicken (no bones) is a good choice to use for bait food and/or their favorite food. Go with your intuition with what may work best for your cat.
Many people use (pawboost) it’s very good alert system and comments on Facebook posts update on pawboost, petamberalert (com), petfbi (org), and/or lostmykitty (com) for poster and notification services to neighbors, vets, shelters, and rescues in area. Nextdoor app is also good for notifying neighbors. Ask if neighbors have ring or other security cameras that they can check and notify you of any sightings. Kimberley Freeman may still offer consultations . Put up posters ASAP, and notify non-emergency police and animal control in surrounding area and bring posters for them to put up on bulletin board. Enlist daily help by giving posters to neighbors, joggers, walkers, dog walkers, public works, mailmen, and older children who are out regularly in area to keep eye out for your pet. Make sure to speak to and give posters to anyone feeding cats in your neighborhood. Post on local town Facebook pages, and town, county, and state lost and found Facebook pages - Lost Cats in New Jersey, etc.
Leave garage, shed, or porch open for cat to access, put their bed and something with your scent and theirs, when possible. In wintertime, put out shelter, igloo with straw etc. Use baby monitor to hear if crying during night, and you can purchase security camera and/or wildlife camera with IR night vision to monitor activity in yard and by feeding station. Newer ones have Apps to view immediately if a photo is taken. Ask neighbors if you can check yards, garages, porches, and in and under sheds and decks - use flashlight. Ask them to check as well. Go at dusk, evening, and before dawn with a good flashlight to see reflecting eyes. Check trees, as well. Do not chase, or call. If sighted lie on ground shake treats to see if your cat will come to you. Most go into feral mode so it is better to set a trap at last sighting following above instructions and one by home. Ask area rescues if they can assist with searches.
Remember indoor only cats may hide first few days but venture out when hungry coming out of hiding when quiet. DO NOT CHASE! (Put this on all flyers!). If hiding place is found, set supervised only and covered traps with permission in that area. In extreme hot or cold weather trap must be watched when set and checked hourly. Check petfinder (com) for cats in rescue and shelter, and go to local shelters in person daily. If cat has microchip, call the company to report lost and ensure chip is registered and information is correct.
If open to this, you can try animal communicator Marie Ganz who is on Facebook and works with healer Karin Anne Nikischer to provide detailed description of area pet is lost with maps and will provide updates when requested if pet is on the move. They have helped reunite multiple owners with their pets.
How to Find a Lost Cat on YouTube
Front Street Animal Shelter video on Facebook.
Don't ever give up hope, keep searching, and update group! Message if you would like to review tips.
