Bossley Park, NSW Lost Female Cat, Kitty Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Paul A.

2 months ago

HOW TO FIND LOST CATS. Research by “Missing Animal Response Network” (MARN): A study was conducted by the University of Queensland where 1,232 cat owners who’d lost a cat took part (Kat Albrecht and Dr. Jacquie Rand conceived the study and UOQ and MPP collaborated on the study). Here is a summary of results: • The method most successful in recovering a missing cat was conducting a thorough physical search of the area. • The median distance found (how far the cats travelled) for missing outdoor-access cats was 315m. This is roughly a 17-house radius from their home. • The median distance for escaped indoor-only cats was much less—it was only 50m which is roughly a 2-3 house radius from their home. Obtaining permission from your neighbours to search their property is critical! Simply handing them a flyer and asking them to “keep an eye out” IS NOT ENOUGH! Your neighbour won’t get down on hands and knees with a torch to look under their deck or house, yet that is where your cat is most likely to be! It is up to you the owner, to conduct a slow, methodical search, remembering wherever their head can fit they could be hiding! Be sure to take a good flashlight with you even during the day as eye shine often gives them away in dark places. Additional Lost Cat Behaviors The Silence Factor: This is a term to describe lost cat behavior when a displaced cat will hide in silence. It is a natural form of protection. The Silence Factor s many cats that may be sick or injured and hiding, as owners are typically busy “looking” for their cat at the local shelter or putting flyers on telephone poles. Instead they should be conducting an aggressive, physical search of the immediate area remembering the cat is likely to be close by but hiding in silence. The Threshold Factor: This is an interesting behavioral pattern where a cat that is hiding eventually breaks cover and meows, return to their home or finally enters a humane trap. While some cats take hours to a few days to reach their threshold, many take several days (typically 10 to 12 days) before they break cover, most likely due to starvation and thirst, although more research needs to be conducted into this. Myths for finding lost cats: The MAR Network does NOT recommend using kitty litter placed outside your home as the urine/faeces scent could attract aggressive cats into a yard where the missing cat may be hiding. When an indoor-only cat escapes, it is often hiding within the territory of another (outside) cat. Dirty cat litter can attract community “toms” (intact males)-predisposing them to want to defend their territory and draw them into an area where the displaced cat may be hiding. MAR do not advise posting a reward as this can lead people to chase your cat, possibly scaring it into a yard where dogs reside or onto a busy road. **For full article search online for “Missing Animal Response Network Lost Cat Behaviour” **NB: Most people joining lost & found pet groups do so because they themselves have lost or found an animal , and more often than not they don’t live anywhere near you to be of real assistance. Posting in your suburbs local, community based groups is what reaches the thousands of people who live right where u do. This includes buy/swap/sell, new mum, parent, hobby, friendship, neighbourhood watch and even singles groups. These groups often have a high volume of members that actually live in your neighbourhood and are more likely to see your cat going about their daily routines like walking the dog, jogging, gardening, washing the car. They’re the people in your street that you wave to when u drive past but have never spoken to. Local eyes are the ones needed to get your cat get home sooner.🐾 AUSTRALIA MICROCHIPS ONLY ⚠️IMPORTANT NOTICE: Microchips previously registered with closed down company “HomeSafe Id” in Qld are being transferred to “Central Animal Records” (CAR). You don’t need to do anything and there are no fees. If u need to update your details do so via the CAR website or alternatively contact them directly by phoning (03) 9706 3187. To find out which microchip company your pet is registered with, head to “pet address” on the web and follow the onscreen prompts. 📍If you don’t know your pet’s microchip number, a veterinary clinic u’ve previously visited should be able to provide it from their records. Otherwise simply visit any veterinary clinic or animal shelter and have your pet scanned

Karina R.

2 months ago