Greater London, England Lost Male Cat, Lalo Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Louise C.

2 weeks ago

So sorry he’s missing. 😢😿 The chances are if he’s not used to being outside/or for long, he’ll be very nearby, hiding away under bushes, hedges, anywhere sheltered and might be reluctant to miaow as he’ll be in survival mode. Use a calm voice, (rather than a panicked one) to call him to give him the confidence to come out of hiding to approach you. Don’t forget to check up trees too….as some cats new to the outdoors, climb up them easily enough but have no idea of the different technique getting down them until conquering it that first time. If it gets to nighttime, use a torch to search these areas because if she is remaining silent, you’ll pick up the light reflectors in her eyes. Also while searching, take out a favourite noisy toy that has a bell or squeaks as she will tune in to that familiar tone….even a laser light toy helps draw them out as they can’t resist that chase! Here are some other tips below. Please register them for free on Pets Reunited where you can check for lost and found cats for tips. THINGS YOU SHOULD DO: FIRST: SEARCH STRAIGHT AWAY and REGULARLY: Immediately search the local area. Call from your garden day and night. Walk the length of your road STOPPING and WAITING. Frightened cats take a while to respond. Start at the end of your road and WALK TOWARDS your house as you call so you don’t tempt your cat to travel further away from its home. Do the same on parallel roads as many times as possible every day. Don’t give up as the majority of found cats are found within 2 months with 50% in the first 7 days. Call in your normal voice so your cat is reassured that it is safe. They will pick up on the slightest anxiety as cats are hugely sensitive. Unless your cat is very bold, he/she will not rush straight out of hiding on hearing you; many stay in hiding for up to 12 days. Stand still and call. Build your cat’s confidence by hearing your voice sounding relaxed, talking to switched off mobile as you walk towards home. NIGHT-TIME/EARLY HOURS when the WORLD IS ASLEEP, when it is QUIET is a very good time to call and search. SOUND TRAVELS MUCH LONGER DISTANCES at night and your cat is much more likely to hear you calling it. CATS FEEL SAFER IN THE DARK from predators and are more likely to leave their hiding place on being called. Call in your garden frequently overnight. If walking on the street near your home to call through to reach neighbour’s gardens; take someone with you to stay safe. Shaking a treat bag GENTLY is a signal to cats (if it’s something they have heard at home) and the sound will travel much further late at night. If preferred take strongly scented fish or chicken with you. Search at dusk and dawn BE PATIENT; WAIT; REPEAT: Hiding away and not responding has nothing to do with whether your cat loves you, whether it recognises your voice – it has everything to do with the fact that a frightened cat will hide in silence! It is following its instinct and is in survival mode. Even if you are nearby the cat won’t just come out. Search hiding places. SECOND: PUBLICISE: LEAFLET EVERY HOUSE. LEAFLETS are very successful and have resulted in reuniting quite a few cats. Leaflet both sides of your road and parallel streets. Include a clear full photograph of your cat and your mobile number. Ask them to search in their gardens, sheds and under decking. Leaflets through doors really RAISES THE PROFILE of your lost cat in a large number of people’s minds. It reaches so many people – literally hundreds. Make use of all social media. Post on Neighbourhood Watch, Next Door and local online Community Noticeboard. Give a poster to your postman, milkman and refuse collectors. Let your vet know he is missing and contact your chip company and make sure his details are up to date This link below is from the Pet Detective giving reasons why certain other advice regularly given won’t always work and can even discourage your cat from wanting to come home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeIHvUR2LpM&t=305s This other one has useful tips but please ignore the leaving out **laundry accessible to others to scent (**unless hung high out of other cats’ and foxes’ reach)….or the food ones 😬 when actively searching for your furbaby….it’s from Canada but still useful and valid info. Please keep us informed of any news. 🤞 https://youtu.be/XHIRlVMjrco

Miles J.

2 weeks ago