Reunited Female Cat in Santa Ana, CA 92701 (ID: 73071168)

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Lauren E.

3 weeks ago

I lost my kitty Nicholas at an Irvine apt complex 15 years ago. At that time I could find no information on how to find him. Luckily I found him three days later. I put these tips together to help others find their lost babies. TIPS TO FIND YOUR CAT: 1. Kitties usually stay close by their home, they hide in a bush or some small dark place and just sit and wait. Even if you call them, they may not come because they are freaked out and scared. 2. A cat's world is centered around scents. They will not be familiar with the outdoor scents because they have never been there before. To help them smell their way home, put things outside that smell like home, like you. A used towel, dirty shirt, dirty shoes, the kitties bedding. Leave the items out and sit with the door open as much as possible. If the kitty comes back in the door just remain calm and talk to the kitty normal until you can close the door behind him. 3. Do not put food out, you will attract other animals that may keep your cat away. You can walk around with smelly food or shaking treats, but don't leave it outside. 4. Walk around the neighborhood calling your kitty normally. Don't use a panicked voice, it will scare the kitty more. Best to only have people whose voice your kitty would normally come to. They will not come to a kind stranger helping you search. The kitty will catch your scent and hear your voice, and follow it back to your house. Most cats are within 200 cat yards. Which means if there is a fence, you couldn't get over, you would go around, but the cat could go right over. So keep that in mind when checking out 200 yards. 5. Pass out fliers to neighbors and talk to everyone, especially kids and dog walkers. It is a great idea to offer kids $20 if they find your cat and can tell you where he is. Kids love money and a challenge. 6. Check closed garages. Listen for meows when you call. 7. Use a flashlight under bushes and dark places, even during the day. The light will reflect off their eyes. This is how I found Nicholas, in a bush I walked by at least 20 times and didn't see him until I used the flashlight. 8. Sleep with the windows open, you may hear them crying at night. Lost kitties feel safest coming out late at night-early morning. 9. Check the shelter every day. 10. If your lost cat has a cat friend at home, take the cat or dog you have at home out in a secure carrier or on a leash and walk around with him or sit with him outside. Hopefully the other lost cat will hear and smell him. Dogs are good at finding lost cats. 11. Social Media - Facebook, Nextdoor, CraigsList, and PawBoost Lost & Found. 12. Vets have told me that indoor kitties that get lost are too scared to come out of hiding, even for food. It could be at least 10 days before your kitty gets hungry enough to come out of his safe hiding spot, so don't give up too soon. Once kitties do come out they will make a big circle around the area trying to find something that smells like home. So the more you walk out from your house and back, like a wagon wheel formation, the more your scent out there for kitty to follow when he gets brave. 13. If you have a garage, leave it cracked open, kitty may find his way back in. 14. Be careful of scammers. There are terrible people out there that pretend they have your cat but can never find time to meet up with you to return the cat. They are trying to make you frantic to give them money. 15. Check trees too, just found my cat 20 feet up a tree, couldn't get down. 16. Check inside, cabinets, closets, behind books. We have found cats sitting behind books on shelves, sleeping inside clothes in the closet, and in a hole in the wall behind a wall unit. 17. You can purchase a Havahart cat safe trap from Amazon. Watch the video on how to use it. Do not leave it unattended because you don’t want to try and release an angry raccoon. If you watch for a distance you can chase off wild critters. Have a plan if you catch another cat. This other cat may be keeping your cat away. So hopefully your shelter will take him. Maybe he is lost too and you saved him. Or maybe he is a stray and having a check up at the shelter will benefit him, and give your cat a chance to come home if this cat was keeping him away.

Suzan R.

3 weeks ago

General Information: Set up a scent station. Hang clothes with your scent on it (Worn clothing from owner) high up outside so the familiar scent can travel and guide the cat back home. Ask your neighbors to check their yard/could be accidently stuck in their garage or shed. (If applicable) Check doorbell or home camera - or ask neighbors to check their camera. Post Fliers with a picture of the cat and your contact information in the area the cat went missing. Not everyone is on Social Media and posters have worked in that if spotted a location can be provided. If a cat is scared they make themselves safe by finding a good hiding spot and often times hide in silence. Look in bushes - bring a flashlight and look for shining eyes. Best time to find your cat is in the early morning hours when the noise level is low and they feel safe. Leave an access point open for the cat to return. This is important if they do come back in the middle of the night. Prayers your cat returns/ or is found safely. Beware of scammers.

Where I.

3 weeks ago

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Nayak S.

3 weeks ago

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Mariela S.

3 weeks ago

I hope this helps! ❤️‍🩹 Recommendations for when a kitten goes missing: 1️⃣ The 200-meter rule: A lost cat rarely goes far from the place where it went missing—usually a maximum of 150-200 meters, but typically much closer. If disoriented, an indoor cat will look for another apartment, and an outdoor cat will look for another house. Check parking lots, high trees, basements, or empty houses. They avoid open spaces or large green areas. 2️⃣ The shock state: After getting lost (usually due to a scare), a cat goes into shock. They can stay frozen in the same spot for days without eating or drinking. The cat will NOT respond to anyone except their OWNER. If multiple people call out, the cat might freeze and not even answer its owner. 3️⃣ The best hours: Search between 12:00 AM and 3:00 AM. This is when there is the least amount of street noise, making it easier for the cat to hear you and for you to hear their meows. 4️⃣ Start at the door: Begin right at your front door. Call them the way they are used to (you can shake a bag of kibble). Listen closely. A lost cat won't usually come out; they will only meow to answer you. 5️⃣ Walk slowly: Repeat the call every 20 steps and listen. Cover the area and return the same way, walking slowly. Sometimes a cat won't answer, but they will follow quietly behind you. 6️⃣ Don't give up: Do not stop after just one night. Many owners find their beloved furry friends after a month or even longer. 7️⃣ Check cameras & flyers: Look at security cameras to see which way they went. Post large flyers with cell phones and landlines. Ask neighbors and security guards. CRITICAL: Turn off PRIVACY settings on your Facebook post/page so people can comment and message you. Check your "Message Requests" folder constantly! 8️⃣ The scent trick: If your cat has never been outside, scatter some of their used litter around your home. They will recognize the scent. Also, wear well-worn, unwashed clothes during the search so they can smell and recognize you. 9️⃣ ID tags aren't enough: Unfortunately, collar tags rarely work because a scared adult cat will not let strangers catch them. 🔟 Family/Neighbors: If you suspect someone took the cat away because they didn't like them or have a personal feud with you, try talking to them. If they confess, go look for the cat in the exact place where they were dropped off. 🚨 The most important thing: SPAY/NEUTER YOUR CAT AND KEEP THEM INDOORS. The streets are deadly. Saying "my cat always comes back" is just gambling with their life until they get hit by a car, poisoned, or attacked. 📱 Check all groups: Monitor Facebook groups for lost pets, even outside your local area (sometimes people relocate them). If you see a cat that looks like yours, reach out anyway, even if the listed age/ doesn't match. Ask for videos. Non-experts easily mistake these details. Don't lose hope. 🙏 Copy and share with anyone who needs this. Credits: Giuliana Torres Garcia.MSA

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