Donna M.
1 week ago
Please feel free to copy / paste / share this advice I found posted by kind strangers and added some things myself
⭐️No litter box outside. Be careful and monitor food outside.
It will attract other animals including predators or feral cats who will keep your cat away if trying to return home.
⭐️Have you distributed flyers- by knocking on doors to your neighbors and handing them out, and posted them on poles etc. as well even to any businesses close by?
Ask neighbors to check their yards, garages, sheds, under decks and any possible hiding spots. It’s always best if they let you look. The majority of people (about 85% rough guess) are kind and want to help. Some people can be indifferent or jerks. Please don’t let them get to you. Most successful reunions come from talking to neighbors vs. posting online- but please do both!
Post on Nextdoor, PawBoost and the local lost and found pet pages on Facebook. Post on Ring app as well. You don’t need a Ring camera to have an account and neighbors frequently post found pets and sightings.
If you get a sighting you need to set and MONITOR a humane trap at the sighting location right away and at morning / dusk.
*NEVER LEAVE A TRAP UNATTENDED.
You can use rotisserie chicken and Friskies Whitefish and Sardines canned food as bait.
Indoor cats usually stay within a one mile radius from home, though they can travel further. The majority are found within a 5 house radius. Outdoor cats tend to travel further, usually within a 17 house radius
Most indoor cats are found very close to home as in a few houses away or next street over.
They are usually found (after getting sightings and with trapping) very close to their own home. Some come home on their own, usually in the overnight hours.
Concentrate on canvassing your own neighborhood. Check under bushes, up trees and rooftops. Under cars, nearby storm drains, shine a high powered flashlight into bushes and trees and look for reflecting eyes. Cats usually don’t go far.
They usually will try to return home between 10 PM and 5 AM with peak hours being 3-5 AM. Most are on the move between dusk / dawn. They can often respond at dusk/ just after dark or dinner to the pop of a can
Don’t yell out calling for your cat or sound loud or nervous, keep your voice calm. Having a normal chat on the phone while sitting outside has worked to help draw kitty out if nearby
Put dirty laundry / bedding of yours outside on your porch or near the door, or place in the garage with the door cracked open a few inches. Continue to replace daily.
Do NOT put a litter box outside.
It will attract male unneutered cats who will spray property and chase your cat away if trying to return home. Worse it can attract coyotes and litter has actually been used by hunters to lure them 😳 A cat will be attracted by scent of his home / family, but a coyote won’t.
Is your kitty spayed / neutered? If not, they can become escape artists and bolt outside. They tend to travel further looking for a date, especially males. When you get your baby back, please get them spayed / neutered asap. Spaying / neutering is kind and not only prevents adding more orphaned cats out on the streets, but it tends to curb your cat’s desire to roam.
Some cats stay hidden for weeks traveling at night. Flyers generate sightings. The more eyes out, the better.
Check nearby shelters and online listings & stray intakes, but go to the shelters in person at least every 3 days. They’re not always up to date on their postings.
If microchipped, report lost to the chip company and make sure your contact info is updated
