Portland, OR Lost Male Cat, Toto Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Sandra H.

2 months ago

Lost Cat Recovery Checklist Immediate Actions ■ Start searching close to where she got out (cats usually hide nearby). ■ Check high & low hiding spots: under cars, porches/decks, shrubs, garages, sheds. ■ Ask neighbors to check open garages/sheds and closed spaces before shutting doors. Best Times to Search ■ Search during quiet/dark hours (best: 12am–7am, especially 1–6am). ■ Use a strong flashlight at night to spot eye reflection. Calling & Approaching ■ Call for her during still hours (overnight/early morning). ■ If you see her: stay calm and quiet (don’t chase). Scent Lures (Safe Options) ■ Put outside: her bed/blanket or your unwashed clothing/bedding. ■ Place scent items near the trap and/or leading toward the door. ■ Do NOT place a litter box outside (can attract predators such as coyotes). Food / Feeding Station ■ Set up a feeding station and feed during the day only. ■ Do NOT leave food out overnight (attracts wildlife & scares cats off). Humane Trap (Highly Recommended) ■ Get a live/humane trap ASAP. ■ Use food only inside the trap (don’t leave food elsewhere). ■ Cover trap with a tarp/blanket for safety and comfort. ■ Check trap frequently—never leave it unattended overnight. ■ In harsh weather: check every 30 minutes. Outreach (Very Important) ■ Post flyers around the neighborhood with phone number (day/night contact). ■ Bring flyers to local vets, shelters (go in person every few days if possible), and pet stores. ■ Tell your mail carrier (they notice roaming pets). ■ Ask known stray feeders/rescuers if they’ve seen her. Mindset ■ Keep checking at different times daily. ■ Don’t give up—cats can be found weeks or months later

Candy F.

2 months ago

Make flyers and put them on every door in the neighborhood. I got my cat back that way

Ri M.

2 months ago

📷 View photo on Facebook

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

Lana M.

2 months ago

*Keep trying what's listed....All the best in your beautiful cat's return,~💜💜 **Cats that get outside, they tend to panic & hide, usually close to home. When it's dark out, go outside with a flashlight or headlamp & look under every bush, vehicles anything they might go to for safety around your home. Watch for their Eyes to light up with the beam of the flashlight. Let neighbors know, they sometimes will get locked in an open shed & Put posters up. Leave out some bedding/clothing of theirs & yours, but NOT the litter box. Going out with a bag of treats OR whatever your cat loves to eat... calling their name. IF at all possible to leave a window or door open, when it's quiet many have come back. Continue looking & calling. The cat is scared & hiding & may have been chased. REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT If possible consider building a Catio - so much safer for kitties who like the sights/smells of outdoors. attached is one website to build, there are many - google or fb has many showing how to! https://spca.bc.ca/news/how-to-build-a-catio/

Donna D.

2 months ago