Charlotte, NC Lost Male Cat, Charlie Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Chris P.

1 year ago

Sorry

Kimberly M.

1 year ago

**How to Find a Lost Cat** **Thoroughly Search Your Home and Surroundings** Start by conducting a detailed search of your home, including often-overlooked areas like the garage, shed, deck, crawlspaces, underneath porches, sewers, and drainage pipes. Be sure to check all closets, cabinets, your attic, bat, and even appliances like the clothes dryer. Don’t stop at your home—ask your neighbors if you can check under their crawlspaces, decks, porches, sheds, and garages, as cats can easily get trapped in these spaces. Extend your search three to five houses in either direction, and remember to revisit and recheck these spots frequently, since a spooked cat may move to a new hiding place. If your cat is accustomed to being outdoors, widen your search area. The best times to search are late at night or early in the morning when it’s quiet, as your cat might feel safer to emerge. Using a flashlight can help you spot their eyes reflecting back at you, making it easier to locate them. Don’t make the mistake of searching once and assuming your cat isn’t in the area—they might have moved and returned later without you noticing. It’s also important to note that in the process of searching, you could unknowingly scare your cat into hiding even deeper. Understanding a lost cat’s behavior is key. Cats’ vision is blurry beyond about 20 feet, so even if they see you, they may not recognize you and could perceive you as a threat. When a cat is lost, it enters survival mode and might even run from its owner out of fear. Data indicates that most indoor cats that escape are likely hiding close by, often under someone’s deck, and they typically remain hidden for 10 to 17 days before feeling safe enough to come out. **Be Patient and Persistent** Your cat is probably close by, even if you can't see them. Be diligent in your search; they may be too spooked to come out, even if they hear you calling. Studies show that 75% of cats are found within a third of a mile from where they escaped, and 18% are found hiding right outside the entrance to your home. Most cats (59%) are found alive because their owners take the time to search under bushes and other hiding spots. Approximately 56% of lost cats are found within two months, but there are numerous cases of cats being reunited with their families months or even years later. **Don’t Assume the Worst** Don’t give up on the search prematurely or assume that your cat has encountered a predator. It's important to use every possible search method as soon as your cat goes missing. **Set Humane Traps** Consider setting humane traps (Tomahawk and Tru Catch) in areas where you can check them frequently. Shelters often rent these traps to the public. Avoid racoon traps, these often cause injuries to cats. These traps are shorter with a slim trigger plate, which cats can easily lean over to reach the food without setting it off. When the trap finally triggers, it can slam down hard, potentially breaking a tail or injuring the cat’s back. You can also use your house or garage as a trap by leaving doors open. **Contact Your Microchip Company** Inform your cat’s microchip and/or tag company that your cat is missing and ensure that all your contact information is up-to-date. **Contact Veterinary Clinics and Shelters** Reach out to all local veterinary clinics, hospitals, and animal emergency rooms. Ask if you can email them a flyer to post on their community boards. Report your lost cat to Animal Care & Control, and monitor their website regularly, as it’s updated hourly with found pets. Visit the shelter at least every three days to check for your lost cat in person. Shelters hold animals for 72 hours before making them available for adoption. Address: 8315 Byrum Drive | Charlotte, NC | 28227 Hours: Monday -Friday 11:00AM - 7:00PM Weekends 11:00AM - 5:00PM *Note:* The shelter no longer takes in adult cats that reside outside unless they are sick or injured. If someone finds a healthy stray, they will be asked to return the cat to where they found it. **Check Online Resources** To see if your pet has been found in the community or brought to Animal Care & Control, visit their website (https://www.charlottenc.gov/cmpd/Animal-Care-and-Control/LostFound). Also, file a Lost Pet Notice on the Animal Care & Control website, including photos and details about your pet. Note that Lost Pet Reports expire after 30 days, so be sure to file a new report if your pet is still missing after a month. Additionally, file a report with Petco Lost Love (https://petcolove.org/lost/). **Post Flyers** Post "Lost Pet" flyers throughout your neighborhood and town, using brightly colored paper and laminating them to prevent damage. Use clear photos of your cat – a clear face and the side view of their whole body, including their tail. Focus on high-traffic areas, as flyers are one of the most effective ways to spread the word quickly. Flyers can grab the attention of neighbors who may have seen your pet or can keep an eye out. Place flyers in mailboxes (secured between the red flag and the box) and give one to your mail carrier as well. Special Mention: When my cat went missing for an extended time, one of the most impactful strategies I used was covering my neighborhood with laminated flyers. The lamination protected them from rain and ensured that they stayed up longer. I placed them on every high-traffic corner and in mailboxes. This kept my cat’s information visible and top of mind for people in the area. It also helped keep my neighbors engaged and alert. I received numerous calls about possible sightings, and this turned out to be the most effective way to raise awareness in my search for Charlie. **Leverage Social Media** Post about your lost cat on social media platforms like Nextdoor, the Neighbors app, Reddit (in the Lost & Found Pet area), Craigslist (in the local lost and found pets section), PawBoost, and PetAmberAlert. Also, share your post in local Facebook groups such as: o Charlotte, NC. Lost and Found Pets, Mecklenburg County, and surrounding areas o Lost and Found Pets Mecklenburg County, NC o Charlotte, NC – Lost Dogs, Cats, & Pets – PawBoost Community o Lost and Found Pets – Charlotte o North Carolina – Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets – PawBoost Community **Watch Helpful Videos** Check out Kim Freeman’s videos on YouTube. She is a specialist in lost cat recovery and offers valuable tips and strategies specifically designed to help locate lost cats. Her advice could make all the difference in your search. **Create a "Scent Circle"** To create a "Scent Circle," use clothing items that carry the familiar scent of your cat’s favorite human. Cut an old t-shirt or similar garment into strips, and tie them to trees, bushes, or other objects about 3 to 4 feet off the ground around your property. Aim to create a circle within a 50 to 60-foot radius of your home. The scent will act as a beacon, guiding your cat back home if they’ve wandered off or become disoriented. This technique, recommended by a local pet tracker, has proven highly effective in many cases. Some people suggest putting your cat's litter box outside to help them find their way home, but this is risky and counterproductive. Cats instinctively cover their waste to hide their scent from predators, so putting their litter box outside can attract unwanted attention from neighborhood wildlife and territorial cats, potentially driving your cat further away. It’s important to remember that many cats return home despite the presence of a litter box, not because of it. Don’t give up and stay pawsitive!!!

Kathy L.

1 year ago

Shared

Candy B.

1 year ago

Prayers

Janet D.

1 year ago

Praying for ya'll

1 year ago

Jacqueline Silva I agree. Someone might have him. He is chipped so hopefully one day he can escape, or someone sees this post. I can't give up looking though. 💖

Jacqueline S.

1 year ago

Heaven knows where this kitty is at now. I hope someone has seen him and at least taken him in…

Terry B.

1 year ago

🙏🙏🙏🌈💜🐈‍⬛🐈come home where your family love and miss you

Jaylene M.

1 year ago

Please post on the Nextdoor app & PawBoost. If not home in a few days, go check the surrounding animal shelters. They have been picking up many pets lately.💝🙏

Kathy L.

1 year ago

Shared