Finding a Lost Cat
We are so sorry your cat is missing. We know this is an incredibly stressful time, but it’s important to try not to panic — so please pause for three seconds to take a deep breath, and then follow the steps below.
If possible, recruit friends and family to help divide the responsibilities. Since time is of the essence, we’re going to dive right in.
Skip Ahead
1. Check Your Home First
Check your home and immediate surrounding areas first. This includes, but is not limited to, closets, sheds, garages, cars, chimneys, cabinets, crawlspaces, and even inside of your laundry machines and refrigerator. As you do your search, bring some of your cat’s favorite treats to coax them out of hiding.
Talk to them in low calm voices and try not to make too sudden of movements. It can help to bring a flashlight with you to check for "eye glow".
If you cannot find your cat on your property, place some of your dirty clothing and your cat's bedding outside of your home to lure them back through scent.
DO NOT PUT THEIR LITTER BOX OUTSIDE
Contrary to what some well-meaning folks may tell you, you should not put your cat's litter box outside because it can attract predators.
If your cat is indoor-only, they will likely stay very close to home. If you have other animals, make sure to contain them either behind closed doors or inside of crates or carriers, and then if it's safe to do so, leave your door or window open for your cat to make their way back through.
You may also want to consider setting a humane trap baited with your cat's food and water. If you don't have access to one, you can ask your neighbors via Nextdoor.com and Facebook in the steps below. Rescues and trap-neuter/spay-release (TNR) programs also often have traps you can borrow or rent.
A humane trap is simply a metal cage with a trigger in the floor that releases the door to trap your cat inside. You may initially want to put food in the trap without setting the door to close. This way, your cat can come for the food a couple of times and start trusting the trap before it’s rigged to close behind them. Otherwise, you risk them being too cautious initially to step fully inside. The door may trigger before they’re in and now they’re afraid of the trap altogether and you’ve lost that tool for catching them. Also make sure you test the trigger mechanism to ensure it’s working properly.
If it’s cold outside, you may also want to make a couple of warm, safe sleeping areas for your cat, just in case. Check out this video for a step-by-step guide to creating outdoor winter shelters for cats.
Word of caution: You might expect your cat to come running when they finally see you. That’s not always going to be the case. Fear, anxiety, smelling other cats, feeling vulnerable like prey, injuries — all of these can cause your cat to act like they don’t know you or like you’re a threat. Don’t take it personally. It’s not about you. It’s about the situation. And it’s common for cats to redirect aggression to the nearest living thing in these situations. So be prepared.
Don’t make sudden movements. They can run faster than you. Stay calm. They can sense your anxiety. You might want to have a pair of thick gloves handy, just in case there’s a moment of panic when you reach for them. And it’s a good idea to have a carrier close by as well. If you’re in a situation where you do have to grab your cat, you need someplace to quickly secure them. Then get them immediately to a quiet, safe space with food and water, where they can start to decompress.
If you have security cameras, consider setting one up to keep a close eye on the trap. Most importantly, be patient. It may take some time for them to find the trap and feel safe enough to go inside. Don’t give up! Spend some time outside each day, calling your cat, talking to them, shaking the treat bag, and even having a favorite toy handy. They may be nervous and too afraid to head back to your home. Hearing you and seeing things like their treats and toys may provide the comfort they need to come out from hiding.
Now it's time to contact your cat's microchip company, veterinarian, and call the shelters.
2. Call Microchip Company and Check Your Contact Info
If your kitty is microchipped, it is very important to call the microchip company to flag them as missing and to ensure that your contact information is up-to-date. If you can’t find your cat’s microchip information, contact your veterinarian’s office or the rescue where you got your cat — there’s a good chance they might have the number on file.
Even if you have your cat's microchip number, let your veterinarian's office know they're missing — some clinics will post to their social media accounts on your behalf.
Unfortunately, microchips are useless until they’re registered in a database with your pet’s unique microchip number and your contact information. Even if it hasn't been registered before, if you have your pet's microchip number you can do it right now. Here is a list of some of the companies you can register your cat's microchip on - they all have different requirements and some may have extra services:
- 24 Pet Watch
- AKC Reunite
- AVID FriendChip
- Free Pet Chip Registry (911PetChip)
- Home Again
- InfoPET
- RESQ
- Petidco (AVIDCanada)
- PetKey
- Pet Link
- Smart Tag
If you have the microchip number but need to search for the microchip manufacturer information, use AAHA’s universal pet microchip lookup tool.
Some microchip companies will also post to social media on your behalf, so look into all options available to you.
Important note: Not every microchip scanner used by shelters and veterinarians covers all the different registries out there. So having your pet’s microchip registered on both the chip manufacturer’s registry and the Found Animals Registry increases the chances that you will have a happy reunion.
If your pet is wearing an electronic ID collar or tag that allows you to update your information, contact them as well to flag your cat as missing and add as much up-to-date information as you can to their profile.
Call local shelters, animal control, and even shelters outside your immediate area, and make sure to check in with the shelters daily. If you aren't sure where to start, do a Google search for animal control in your area. When you speak to them, ask for a list of other shelters you should check with. Facebook will also be helpful for finding this information. (More on that in step 5)
3. Create a Lost Cat Poster
I highly recommend using Pawboost.com (see step 4) to create your lost cat poster because it will save time and be created for you with the information you input to create social media and email alerts they will send on your behalf.
Put up as large of a sign as you can in front of your home or apartment building with your cat's picture and your contact information.
If you'd prefer to make your own poster we've created a Microsoft Word template (includes 3 versions), which you can download and use to create your missing cat posters. Simply replace the placeholder information with your own. Click the image below and the document should download immediately.
4. Get Help From Neighbors and the Internet
Pawboost.com is the website I’ve seen referred to more than any other because it sends its own neighborhood alerts to Facebook and emails everyone who has signed up to be notified about missing pets in your area. This will create a link that you can easily share and include within your other social posts.
Another reason I recommend Pawboost as an early step is that they will turn your lost cat post into easy-to-print fliers for handing out, putting on bulletin boards, and distributing to local retailers, coffee shops, shelters, vet practices, and 24-hour emergency vets. (Please do not put fliers into mailboxes as this is against federal law.) Below is an example of the lost pet flier Pawboost creates with your post.
If someone finds your pet, they may also post to Pawboost, so take a little time to look through the posts in your area and immediate surroundings.
Other important places to post include sites like Nextdoor.com and the Ring Neighbors app (you don’t have to have a Ring camera in order to post to the app). This will alert your direct neighbors to keep their eyes out and allow them to contact you directly if there are sightings or if anyone has caught footage of them on their security cameras. In your posts, ask neighbors to also check their own sheds, yards, and garages.
What to Include in Your Lost Cat Posts for Social Media:
- Several different photos including different lighting, full-body shot, close up
- Date and area your cat was lost or last seen along with any information about sightings
- Your contact information, including the best phone numbers to reach you at (and make sure your voicemail boxes aren't full)
- A link to your Pawboost alert
5. Use Facebook
While social media definitely has its challenges, it can be incredibly helpful when trying to reunite with your lost cat. If you aren’t on Facebook, ask someone you know to post on your behalf. If you are on Facebook, log in and do a search for both lost cat and lost pet groups for your county, your city, and even your specific neighborhood. Use the guidelines from step 4 for creating your Facebook group posts.
There are a lot of people who will be happy to help in your search. How am I so sure? The screenshot to the left is only a partial list of groups I belong to on Facebook, specifically to help people in my area whose pets have gone missing. In my experience, the other members of those groups will cross-post to other groups you may not have access to, such as private community groups, and also be able to provide advice specifically geared towards your area, including the local shelters, vet clinics, and 24 hr emergency vets to contact to alert to your situation. Some may even offer to help search for your precious cat or lend a humane trap.
I am fortunate enough to live in an area where one of the lost pet Facebook groups I belong to is moderated by an incredibly knowledgeable man who owns a tracking and retrieving business devoted to recovering lost animals and strays. He offers great advice but also has been instrumental at locating and trapping lost dogs and cats when called upon for his services. If you feel your situation warrants it, don’t hesitate to find a reputable person in your area who provides similar services.
Look through existing posts to see if anyone has posted sightings or other helpful information about your cat’s whereabouts. One of the biggest benefits to posting to these Facebook groups is that it expands the search in all different directions very quickly and can be easily shared by friends, family, and strangers.
6. Other Helpful Resources and Websites
Other missing animal sites to post to:
- PetFBI
- Craigslist
Missing Animal Response Network has a treasure trove of information as well as a directory of people in your state who have been through their training program to help you find your lost pet. They also provide information on lost cat behavior, great tips on creating large neon signs that are easy to read and guaranteed to draw attention, and helpful information regarding whether or not to offer a reward (spoiler alert: it is no longer recommended due to the crazy world we live in where people take advantage of others going through terrible situations)
7. Large Neon Signs
Creating large neon signs takes time (which is why it is step 7) but since not everyone is on social media, not everyone speaks the same language, and because some people may assume your cat is a stray or an indoor/outdoor kitty, it is absolutely one of the best ways to find your missing cat.
While social media is great for getting into details, large neon signs can be thought of as more of a highway billboard. You want to attract attention but need to get the message across as quickly as possible for drivers to be able to understand and help.
Include a clear photo of your cat with "LOST CAT - HELP FIND" and your phone number or email address in large easy-to-read print.
You’ll want to make sure these are weather-proofed in case of bad weather; if possible use sheet protectors or have them laminated. For more details about the importance of making these posters, you'll find more tips at Missing Animal Response Network.
Beware of Lost Pet Scams
Unfortunately, there are crooks who have decided to take advantage of people during times of distress. Be very careful when dealing with people contacting you about your pet and please take extra steps to protect yourself. When meeting up with a potential finder if possible meet in a public space and have someone come with you.
To keep yourself from becoming a victim or being distracted from the search for your cat, consider ways of verifying that someone really has your cat before proceeding. For instance, are there any unique features that aren’t visible in your “Lost Cat” poster? Ask the person to send a photo of your cat — this should be an easy request to fulfill thanks to smartphones. Heck, even flip phones have the capability to take a picture and send it via text.
Do not click links from strangers claiming they need you to verify something — this is a new scam I've seen lately and there is absolutely no reason anyone needs you to do this in order for you to get information about your missing pet.
In general, be wary of someone who demands reward money upfront and don’t agree to wire anyone money before getting your cat from them. The following are some common scams, as originally detailed by PetAmberAlert:
Beware of Up-Front Payment
A scammer might try to convince you that they have your cat but will only return it after you pay them. Some might even threaten to harm your cat if you don’t pay.
Beware of Truck Drivers
Another scam might take the form of a “truck driver” who claims they saw your cat on their route. The purported driver will demand money before they will agree to “drive back” and pick up your cat.
Reunited and It Feels So Good
Even after you have successfully reunited with your cat, there are still a few more steps to take.
Clean Up
Circle back around and remove all of the “Lost Cat” posters you hung up, and update any notices you put up online. Not only will it help your friends, family, and neighbors celebrate the return of your pet, but it’ll also prevent people from continuing an unnecessary search, and will free up space for the next animal in need of finding.
Schedule a Vet Check-up
It’s a good idea to bring your found cat to your veterinarian for a check-up. Depending on their situation — how long they were gone, where they went, where they were found, etc. — they may be very dehydrated, your cat may have injuries (potentially internal ones that you can't see), eaten something they shouldn’t have, picked up nasty parasites, or be dealing with a host of other problems. A quick trip to the vet can help put your mind at ease that all is well and, if there’s a problem, catch it early.
Be Patient and Understanding
You don’t know what your cat has been through. They may have had a great time roaming the area. Or they may be stressed, anxious, and even a bit traumatized. Either way, your cat may act in different and unexpected ways when they’re back home. If this happens, don’t panic and don’t force anything. Focus on getting them somewhere safe and then give them some space to rebuild positive associations with the smells of their home, other pets, family members, etc.
They may have some redirected aggression as well. Make sure they have a quiet, private place to relax, move at their pace, let them come to you, and provide tons of positive reinforcement. It may take a little time, but they’ll come around. If things don’t improve over the next week or two, you might want to reach out to a certified feline behavior consultant for a little expert advice.
Have any tips of your own? Ever found a lost cat? Share your experience with our community!
