Swinton, England Lost Male Cat, Barney Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Lynda K.

6 hours ago

Scatter the contents of your hoover bag around the outside boundary of your home - they can scent their way home from miles away, using the familiar smell of your home. If putting out clothing make sure that it hasn’t been washed so that it smells of “you”. Going out late at night/ early morning when it is quieter and less noise distraction around will make it easier for you to hear each other’s calls. If you are calling for him make sure you do this as you walk towards your home not away from it so that if he follows the direction of your voice you’re leading him home, not further away. Also ask any neighbours to check their sheds/ outbuildings in case he’s been inquisitive and got trapped inside somewhere. If he is an indoor cat he is likely scared and hiding somewhere very close by - look under/behind any items/objects that he may be seeking shelter from - under bushes, behind bins etc. when searching at night take a torch - the light from its beam will reflect in his eyes and you will be able to spot him even if he doesn’t respond to your calls. Put up posters in all surrounding streets and inform the microchip company that he is missing. Really hope you find him soon.

Jennie W.

12 hours ago

❤️🙏🏿💕🤞💕🤞💕🙏🏿❤️

Gillian P.

17 hours ago

Can you get your neighbours to check their sheds and garages

Steve L.

1 day ago

Long term missing advice and statistics here too, please read it’s all good positive advice and information. LOST CAT ADVICE it works keep repeating till found! This works for long term lost/missing also! Put bowls of water out in your garden as they may return at night. A cat NEW TO AN AREA through moving house or being re-homed will also find being outside frightening and will hide away quickly and nearby. MISSING CAT STUDY from Missing Animal Response Network - A study of 1200 missing cats that were lost and then found. • The majority of cats 75% were found within 500 metres (1/3 of a mile) of their home (or escape point). Indoor only cats were closest to home often up to 10 houses distance. • The majority (83%) were found outside in a GARDEN near to home (or to their escape point) under shrubs or decking. • The majority of cats that were found, were found within 8 weeks. Half of those found was within 7 days. • Some bolder cats work their way home when their adrenaline has subsided (sometimes after a few days). Many cats will stay in hiding for very many days – often 10-12 days. They need our help to be reunited especially if they have bolted beyond their personal territory; they will be disorientated and unable to find their way back. 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 many 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. Put the details on Animal Search UK too. https://colinbutcherauthor.com/how-to-find-a-missing-cat/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1UzS6PXOBFPZbJ7w7LPy-qNgaboGLbb153ShPr8NuEsAMFJXLvnd1rEi0_aem_pSAzrVQWEpsHR3vNKrlu5Q

Steve L.

1 day ago