Cher Y.
1 year ago
GETTING YOUR CAT HOME
1. Attracting your cat home:
Leaving food, bedding, clothing and used litter tray outside to attract with the smell can also attract tom cats and strays and you risk making it harder for your cat to get home.
ONLY DO THIS METHOD IF YOU ARE SUPERVISING AT ALL TIMES.
Cats are territorial and when an indoor-only cat escapes outdoors, that cat is often hiding within the territory of another (outside) neighbourhood cat. Dirty cat litter can attract community “tom” cats (intact male cats) or other territorial neighbourhood cats and that scent could predispose them to want to defend their territory, drawing them into the area where a displaced cat is hiding in silence. These territorial cats are put into defense mode when they detect the pheromones from another cat’s urine and faeces, causing them to be ready to fight. These cats are then more likely to beat up and chase the lost (displaced) cat from his hiding place, making a recovery more difficult. However, using cat food (and a wildlife camera) will draw a territorial cat in also, but the scent of food will not likely trigger the same level of aggression / readiness to fight as urine and faeces would.
You are better investing time and effort in conducting a physical search for your lost cat and using wildlife cameras or a humane trap than you are in putting out dirty cat litter. Don’t forget to leave an entry point for your cat in case your cat returns home by themselves.
2. Neighbours:
Door knock your neighbours (also the block behind and across from you) and ask if you can check their backyard, sheds, garages and under their house while you are there. Cats often get stuck or locked in somewhere, so pay particular attention to people who have gone on holidays as a lot of cats get locked in places when people go away.
If you live near bushland please search this area also. Bushland and long grass is extremely high risk for paralysis ticks and preventative treatments are not 100% effective.
3. How far will they stray:
The temperament of the cat can indicate how far they will roam. A friendly, curious cat is likely to stray further than a timid cat. Outdoor cats can have a territory of a 5 house radius. So many cats are still found in their territory.
4. Night walks:
Do a 2-5am walk around your neighbourhood with a torch calling your cat, rattling a treats container or take some en/warmed sardines. A cat in unfamiliar territory will stay HIDDEN and SILENT for much of the day and into the night. Even a cat that is locked in or stuck somewhere will keep quiet during the day. In some instances a cat trap with food can be very effective. You will need to check the trap frequently throughout the night so set that alarm!
The importance of checking drains nightly.
https://www.facebook.com/1217082434/posts/10224272548060827/?extid=57JImOv17NvhTxaL&d=n
Borrowing or hiring a humane cat trap:
If your cat is timid you can borrow or hire a humane cat trap and leave it in your yard or apartment complex with a blanket covering the trap roof, cardboard on the floor of the trap, water and food.
Recent Success Stories (read comments):
https://www.facebook.com/1217082434/posts/10224262394887004/?extid=ZCr7hZOxMPq5JzTC&d=n
You could ask the RSPCA, a cat rescue organization or council if they have a cat trap you could borrow or you can hire cat traps from:
KENNARDS HIRE
https://www.facebook.com/KennardsHire/
5. Let everyone know:
Social media-Posters-Door Knock-Flyers. Post to local Facebook community groups and lost & found pages. Use whichever social media format you can to get the word out. Put posters up all over the neighbourhood, lamp posts, milk bars, supermarkets, local vets. Letter box drop flyers all over your neighbourhood.
6. Check with your local council:
For their website or their Facebook page for found pets. Check daily and ask which pound they send found pets to. Physically go there each week to look for your cat - don’t rely on just making a phone call or viewing the website impounded register.
6. Check Gumtree & Trading Post:
For lost and found pets and in your local paper. Also check the for sale posts as sadly some people do on-sell found pets!
Upon return of your cat:
If your cat iwears a collar with a tag and your number on it please ensure the collar is a Safety Release Collar only. If you haven't already done so, de and microchip your cat as soon as you get your cat back.
Courtesy of:
Lost Cats of Melbourne, Lost Pets of Melbourne, Lost Pets in the West.
*Amended.
