What to Do When You Have Lost a Cat

1. Visit or call EVERY shelter (check our Area Shelters web page). Act fast! Check each shelter daily.
   
   
2. Walk the neighborhood in a 4 to 5 block radius in early morning or late evening calling your cat’s name.  Check behind bushes, in window wells, and behind things.
   
   
3. Notify friends and neighbors that your cat is lost.  Make small flyers you can pass out door to door in a 4 to 5 block radius.  Have your neighbors check their garages and sheds to make sure your cat hasn’t been locked in.
   
   
4. Talk to kids in the neighborhood and have them watch out for or help you search for your cat.  Kids can be great pet detectives.
   
   
5. Place your cat’s litter box or a piece of your dirty clothing outside.  The scent will help your cat locate his home.  Put out food and water in case he shows up when you aren’t at home.
   
   
6. If your cat is microchipped, contact the registry immediately to let them know your cat is lost.
   
   
7. Contact veterinary practices in your area. Use their “Lost and Found” bulletin boards.
   
   
8. Place “Lost Cat” flyers in pet supply stores.
   
   
9. Check “found” ads in the local newspapers and take out a “lost” ad in those newspapers.
   
   
10. Check websites such as craigslist.org, FoundandLostPets.com, Home Again and Petfinder.com
    
    
11. Don’t give up! Cats can be found months after they’re lost.

What you can do to safeguard your pet

• Be sure your cat wears a current rabies tag, license tag and an ID tag with your present address and phone numbers.
  
  
• Make certain your address and phone numbers are on file with the veterinarian who provided your cat’s most recent vaccinations.
  
  
• Consult your veterinarian to get your cat a microchip. Keep your contact information current with the microchip registry.
  
  
• Spay or neuter you pet! Sterilization eliminates an animal’s reproductive instincts and decreases the chances of its straying from home.