Reunited Male Cat in Petaluma, CA 94954 (ID: 70248702)

Lauren E.

2 weeks ago

I lost my kitty Nicholas at an Irvine apt complex 15 years ago. At that time I could find no information on how to find him. After I found him, after three days, I put these tips together to help others find their lost babies. TIPS TO FIND YOUR CAT: 1. Kitties usually stay close by their home, they hide in a bush or some small dark place and just sit and wait. Even if you call them, they may not come because they are freaked out and scared. 2. A cat's world is centered around scents. They will not be familiar with the outdoor scents because they have never been there before. To help them smell their way home, put things outside that smell like home, like you. A used towel, dirty shirt, dirty shoes. Leave the items out and sit with the door open as much as possible. If the kitty comes back in the door just remain calm and talk to the kitty normal until you can close the door behind him. 3. Do not put food out, you will attract other animals that may keep your cat away. You can walk around with smelly food or shaking treats, but don't leave it outside. 4. Walk around the neighborhood calling your kitty normally. Don't use a panicked voice, it will scare the kitty more. Best to only have people whose voice your kitty would normally come to. They will not come to a kind stranger helping you search. The kitty will catch your scent and hear your voice, and follow it back to your house. Most cats are within 200 cat yards. Which means if there is a fence, you couldn't get over, you would go around, but the cat could go right over. So keep that in mind when checking out 200 yards. 5. Pass out fliers to neighbors and talk to everyone, especially kids and dog walkers. It is a great idea to offer kids $20 if they find your cat and can tell you where he is. Kids love money and a challenge. 6. Check closed garages. Listen for meows when you call. 7. Use a flashlight under bushes and dark places, even during the day. The light will reflect off their eyes. This is how I found Nicholas, in a bush I walked by at least 20 times and didn't see him until I used the flashlight. 8. Sleep with the windows open, you may hear them crying at night. Lost kitties feel safest coming out late at night-early morning. 9. Check the shelter every day. 10. If your lost cat has a cat friend at home, take the cat or dog you have at home out in a secure carrier or on a leash and walk around with him or sit with him outside. Hopefully the other lost cat will hear and smell him. Dogs are good at finding lost cats. 11. Social Media - Facebook, Nextdoor, CraigsList, and PawBoost Lost & Found. 12. Vets have told me that indoor kitties that get lost are too scared to come out of hiding, even for food. It could be at least 10 days before your kitty gets hungry enough to come out of his safe hiding spot, so don't give up too soon. Once kitties do come out they will make a big circle around the area trying to find something that smells like home. So the more you walk out from your house and back, like a wagon wheel formation, the more your scent out there for kitty to follow when he gets brave. 13. If you have a garage, leave it cracked open, kitty may find his way back in. 14. Be careful of scammers. There are terrible people out there that pretend they have your cat but can never find time to meet up with you to return the cat. They are trying to make you frantic to give them money. 15. Check trees too, just found my cat 20 feet up a tree, couldn't get down.

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Kaylene R.

2 weeks ago

Put some of your dirty clothing outside. Post and keep an eye open on all your local animal groups and the pound. I hope Leo is home soon.

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Georgette C.

2 weeks ago

SUGGESTIONS FOR FINDING YOUR MISSING KITTY # Some successful methods. Go out on your porch or in your yard at “night” when it is quiet (cats feel much safer then) and speak “calmly” and normally (phone conversation for example) so your cat can hear your voice. Do this for a 15 to 30 minutes every night. Bring a food/treat bag to shake every once in a while too if your cat is familiar with that sound. Most lost cats (especially indoor cats) are close and hiding, so you are trying to create a safe and inviting reason for them to come to you. Be silent for brief periods to listen for soft meows. Do not call out their name because they do not want attention drawn to them when fearful. Bring out family scents such as dirty t-shirts, dirty bedding, fur from resident cats or fur combed from a cat tree (smells familiar to your cat that won’t attract off-leash animals that could chase your cat away). It can take days to draw them out so do this every night. DO NOT put out the litter box as some suggest. It can attract predators. A piece of your clothing or familiar bedding with your scent may be just as effective in helping your pet find his home. *If safe to do*, leave the patio door or window that they escaped from open. Cats often try to return home by the same route that they left. Prop a chair or ladder under a window if it’s very high. ****Take a flashlight and check any areas/enclosures in the area where they might be trapped- a shed, garage, under a deck, inside a storage pod, on roofs etc. Look for eye shine from the flashlight in dark spaces, under bushes, up in trees. Cats are nearly invisible when hiding. *If someone has found your cat, flyers (with a good photo) will provide the necessary information for them to get your kitty back to you. Give to neighbors, local vets, postal carriers and businesses. Put up a poster in your yard too. An effective POSTER is *LOST CAT* - SIZE - COLOR - PHONE NUMBER(S). Handwritten is fine, No photo. (Only flyers to hand out will need photos). Make Poster LARGE! (readable from 25 ft away) Make Poster LOUD! (as bright as possible - neon green works best) Make Poster LESS (less info means more leads, no breed info) Make Poster LEGIBLE (if they can't read it, it's useless) *Rewards have not proven to help and may result in false leads. If you must, do not post an amount. * Put a large legible poster in your yard or on your door (if an apt or condo) with the same info in case someone is out looking for the owner. If you are in an apt or condo, tell your manager in case someone contacts them. *Check your local shelters, rescues and safe shelters frequently and as soon as possible. *Post on all local facebook lost and found sites, community trade sites and neighborhood sites such as nextdoor. *Notify your microchip company that your cat is missing and verify that your contact info is up to date. *Put a baby monitor by your entrances and keep the volume up on the receiver at night. If your cat comes home and scratches or cries at the door you will hear him/her. Plan leisurely outside activities as much as possible. Stress-free is key! Note: Lost cats stay very close for a long time if there are no threats. An outside litter box can also attract territorial cats/dogs and predators that can chase them from your area (or worse). Family scents would be just as effective. The 1st 72 hours are crucial as your cat should still be close by. Get your flash light, search along the buildings in your surrounding area, softly talk to your cat. Have a towel ready to secure your cat if you find him/her. Leave a piece of clothing out with your scent (do not leave the cat box out, as this attracts predators). For more tips check out Catsinthebag.org. Good luck. Hope you get your kitty home soon and safe 🙏🐾💕

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Susan P.

2 weeks ago

Get back home, Leo!🙏🏻❤️

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Suzan R.

2 weeks ago

General Information: Usually indoor cats are close to home. Check possible hiding places in your home. Hang clothes with your scent on it high up outside so the familiar scent can travel and guide the cat back home. Ask your neighbors to check their yard/could be accidently stuck in their garage or shed. (If applicable) RING camera - check camera or ask neighbors to check their camera. Post Fliers with a picture of the cat and your contact information in the area the cat went missing. Not everyone is on Social Media and posters have worked in that if spotted a location can be provided. If a cat is scared they make themselves safe by finding a good hiding spot. Look in bushes - bring a flashlight and look for shining eyes. Best time to find your cat is in the early morning hours when the noise level is low and they feel safe. Leave an access point open for the cat to return. This is important if they do come back in the middle of the night. Prayers your cat returns/ or is found safely.