Lost Cat?
Sometimes our worst nightmares come true. Day after day may pass and there is no sign of our furry friend. Even though all may seem lost, there are many things you can do to maximize your chances of getting your kitten back.
Hello Neighbors!
Believe it or not, the place you would want to search the most thoroughly is in fact your own neighborhood! A 2017 study shows that most cats are found 1/3 of a mile away from their home and with indoor cats only being found less than 3 houses away. Recruit your neighbors to help you with the search and do not give up. Sometimes cats will be afraid to come out from their hiding place so calling your cat may not work until they have calmed down. This can hold to be especially true if your cat is an indoor cat.
Posters
You may have seen this popular method of searching for a lost pet on a drive or simply taking a morning stroll. It’s for sure a great way to spread word about your missing kitten. The more eyes and ears there are looking, the better the odds are of you finding your cat!
The Food Trick
We all can’t live without a source of food and this isn’t different for our cats. A great way to try luring them out if you suspect your cat to be wandering in a certain area is to set up some cat food and a camera to record potential footage of your cat. This will help you narrow down potential areas your cat may be located in.
Microchips
If you have ever got your kitten microchipped, well I have great news for you! Make sure to alert the microchip company so that they can flag your kitten as lost. It would also be a great idea to submit lost reports to your local animal shelters and control agencies as soon as possible as animals can be put out for adoption within a few days. It would also be advised to frequently visit animal shelters so you can check if your cat is there.
Familiar Scents
Another great way to attract your cat back to your home is to set out your cat’s favorite possessions such as their favorite blanket or bed or if your kitten loved to sleep against you, you can also leave out your unwashed clothes. They will then hopefully return home if they find the scent comforting. You may also want to try putting out your cat’s favorite food or pungent aromas outside of your home to grab your kitten’s attention.
Point of Entry
Your cat may not feel like coming home if there doesn’t seem to be a point of entry for them to enter the house! It is recommended for cat owner’s who have lost their kitten to leave the garage open by a crack to give your kitten an entrance into your home. If your kitten sees an entrance into their home, they may feel more inclined to walk in!
It is no fun having to deal with a lost pet so we hope that the information contained within this blog will prove to be useful. We sincerely hope that you or someone who you know who (if they indeed) has lost their cat, that your kitten will be returned safely.
Citations:
[1] “How to Find a Lost Cat.” The Humane Society of the United States, https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-find-lost-cat#:~:text=Submit%20lost%20reports%20to%20your,%2C%20so%20don't%20delay.
[2] Johnson, Mary. “How to Find a Lost Cat on the Day They Go Missing.” PawTracks, PawTracks, 11 June 2022, https://www.pawtracks.com/cats/finding-a-lost-cat/.