What to do if your cat goes missing
Many cats that go missing eventually return home. However, if your outdoor cat hasn't returned after a day, or your indoor cat has managed to escape, it can be worrying. Here are our tips on how to best find your cat.
First, thoroughly search your home
It’s common for a cat to disappear suddenly. They might not have run away, but could simply be hiding somewhere in your home. Before you search outside, thoroughly check your entire house. Your cat might have found a new hiding spot, become trapped in a cupboard or drawer, climbed onto a shelf, or accidentally ended up on the balcony. Check every nook and cranny, call your cat, and entice them with treats. Only when you’re certain they’re not inside should you begin searching outdoors.
Search the surroundings for your cat
For an outdoor cat, it’s not unusual for them to stay away for a while. If your indoor cat has escaped, however, it’s best to search the immediate surroundings straight away. They might be frightened and unable to find their way back easily. Take a bag of treats or their food bowl to make noise and hopefully attract them. Focus on the area close to your home. Check basements, gardens, trees, bushes, garages, or outbuildings. Your cat might have been accidentally shut in somewhere. Let your neighbours know and ask them to keep an eye out, look under cars, and keep your ears open too. If you don’t find them, consider who else could help you search a wider area. Plan who will search which part to ensure you cover everything systematically.
Tip: Many indoor cats not accustomed to going outside often stay near the place where they disappeared. Place water and food bowls where the cat went missing, and use items like its favorite blanket or bed, something that reminds it of home and carries its scent. A cat can even smell it from a distance. If you see your cat, don't run towards it; instead, lay out food and approach slowly.
If your extended search yields no results, report your cat as missing. You can inform the police, fire service, local authorities, animal shelters, and vets. You might be lucky and your cat may have already been reported as found. Otherwise, provide brief details about where the cat disappeared, what they look like, and the best way to contact you. It’s also crucial to report your cat missing in pet registries like Tasso and FINDEFIX. Hopefully, you’ll have registered your cat with its ID number in one of them. This is only possible if your cat has a microchip. If found and handed in, this chip, along with the cat’s registration, allows for immediate identification and notification to you.
Put up posters and ask for help on social media
You can find flyer templates online. Fill one out, making sure to use a clear, recognisable photo of your cat. Print several copies and put them up in your local area. Someone may have seen your cat and can provide information.
Also, search for local Facebook groups online. You can leave information there about your missing cat and ask for assistance.
If your cat reappears, don’t forget to take down the posters and inform the relevant authorities that they’re back home. If your runaway was an indoor cat, you’ll likely be extra cautious to prevent this from happening again. If you have an outdoor cat that frequently causes concern about its whereabouts, consider getting a GPS tracker. It can be attached to a collar, and via an app on your phone, you can always see where they are.
If your cat isn’t microchipped yet, you might consider doing so after finding them. Simply book an appointment with your vet. Microchipping is completely safe and quick. Afterwards, don’t forget to register your cat with a pet registry.
If your cat is not yet marked with a chip, you might consider doing so after finding it. Simply schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Chipping is completely safe and quickly done. Afterward, don't forget to register your cat with a pet registry.
