Jan M.
4 months ago
For outdoor access kitties
https://www.missinganimalresponse.com/lost-cat-behavior/
https://petfbi.org/i-lost-a-cat/tips-to-lure-a-cat-back-home-2/
Lengthy, I know, but covers just about everything other owners have posted on what they did to find their cat. I hope you find your kitty soon-
INDOOR and can apply to olNDOOR/OUTDOOR
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♦️🐈Thoroughly check the inside of the house. Many find great hiding spots.
♦️🐈If you haven’t provided contact info it is helpful if your cat is sighted or found. Remember to open messenger for PM from people who are not on your list.
♦️🐈Set up a humane trap. You can try tuna, chicken-rotisserie and KFC work well (no bones of course) sardines or even just canned cat food, their favorite treats or even catnip. Try pouring some chicken broth around the house/area. Try putting some small tempting pieces outside the trap, then some leading into the trap with the bulk of it in the back behind the trip plate. Try covering the side and back with a towel. Make sure you monitor and check the trap frequently. Can also put something with your scent and/or the cats scent inside the trap or wrap around the trap.
♦️🐈Check with neighbors in case the kitty was found and they took it in.
♦️🐈Physically go out and look for the cat. Search your own property and then expand to neighboring properties, with permission. Cats can get into small spaces and will hide in silence.
♦️🐈Follow the edge of the house or building. A panicked cat will most likely follow along the side of a house or building they got out from.
♦️🐈Use a strong flashlight to look under porches, decks, sheds, dense brush, drainage pipes/ditches. You may catch their eye reflection in the light.
♦️🐈Check window wells, up trees, under cars, in cars, car engine areas, even groundhog holes.
♦️🐈Check garages, sheds, buildings cat could have gotten trapped in or under. Check any foreclosed/abandoned/under construction homes in your area that the cat could have gotten trapped in.
Ask neighbors to check around their homes, vehicles, any buildings the cat could have gotten trapped in, bats, garage ceilings. You’re probably better off checking yourself if the neighbor will allow. Not many are going to actually look under porches, decks for your lost cat. And if they got trapped in a neighbors shed, they may not look in the many hiding areas where a cat could hide.
THINGS TO TRY/DO
♦️🐈Put out food/water near where the cat got out. Place anything with owners scent on outside.
♦️🐈Shake their treat/food bag, open a can of food outside.
♦️🐈Leave a window, door, garage door partially open, after securing any other pets.
Try putting down a trail of tasty treats leading into the house especially if seen and just won’t come to you.
♦️🐈Post flyers -place them in ziploc bags to keep them dry. Drop off flyers to neighbors, vets, local businesses, etc. Flyers are important. Not everyone uses social media or is aware of these sites. People may just think your cat is just another stray cat, especially in areas with stray cats or a lot of outdoor cats in the neighborhood. Notify shelters, message a pic to them.
♦️🐈Post to Lost/found sites, shelter/rescue Facebook pages. Send a picture with your contact information/location to vets and shelters in your area. Most have Facebook sites you can message them with the info. Post to Craigslist. Check shelters and rescues in person. Post to the NextDoor app.
♦️🐈Try just sitting outside quietly talking. Try using a laser pointer at night to draw them out of hiding.
♦️🐈If you have access to trail cameras, security camera or even a baby monitor with sound/motion detection, you could set that up close to the trap or near the area the cat got out to see if it’s coming around when you aren’t watching.
LOST CAT BEHAVIOR
♦️🐈They tend to not go far unless chased by a predator, another territorial cat, dog, human. They generally hide very close to the house they got out from.
♦️🐈They can hide in silence. And in fear. Some will mew very softy so listen closely.
♦️🐈Some will come back after midnight or the very early morning hours.
♦️🐈If you moved and didn't move far, check your old place out. Some cats return to their former home.
♦️🐈They generally will not come if called.
♦️NOTE- It generally is not recommended to put their dirty litter box outside, it can attract predators such as coyote and other aggressive territorial cats that may prevent or prolong your cat from coming back.
♦️NOTE- If your cat was never found, please continue to check the lost/found sites/shelters and local rescues.
Cats can be found weeks, months, and years after they went missing. With the amount that are lost, it is sometimes hard to remember and keep track of them all.
♦️NOTE- Microchipping can increase the chance of your cat getting home to you if found by someone and brought to a shelter/vet.
♦️NOTE- sadly there are people who will try to take advantage of your situation and may send you a text or message saying they have your cat and will ask you to send a code to them. This is a scam and do not answer them. And don’t reply to people who tell you to message them on messenger and they will send you a picture.
Also don’t waste your money on any of the “instagram” pet trackers/recoveries. They are scams.
