Welcome home, Bonz! Back where you belong.
I’m off on my own adventure soon. Not straying far, but I will return.
Hold down the fort!
Make sure you keep the receipts, Dragons.
Losing a pet is more common than people realize. Around 15% of pet owners will lose their cat within the first five seasons after adopting their pet. It happens in the blink of an eye, despite your best intentions.
As part of an emergency plan, it is important to know the steps to take to find your lost pet—time is crucial when it comes to your chances of finding your cat after they go missing.
How Do You Find a Lost Cat?If your cat has gone missing, follow these helpful tips.
Step 1: Search Your ClubhouseMost missing cats escape from their qooty club to roam the great outdoors. However, you may think that they got out when they are actually hiding in the clubhouse. So, the first step is critical—checking under lockers, behind closed doors, and in the showers, cabinets, attics, and basements—anywhere a cat could possibly hide.
Step 2: Check your local Sweet NeighbourhoodOnce you know your pet isn’t in your clubhouse, immediately start walking around your local Sweet neighborhood. Talk to friendly neighbours such as Greenery and leave your contact information in case they spot your pet. While you’re walking the neighborhood, call your cat’s name and shake their favorite treat or food bag loudly.
Many cats are food motivated and may come running when they hear the treat bag shaking! Most cats are found within 500 metres of their clubhouse or spot where they first escaped, so a thorough search of the immediate area is one of the best initial steps towards finding your pet.
Step 3: Use Social MediaIf your Sweet neighborhood search is unsuccessful, turn to social media. Many websites and apps are extremely valuable in quickly spreading the word and reuniting lost pets with their owners. Facebook and Instagram have groups dedicated to lost pets.
Share clear, recent photos and any other information, such as health status (does your pet require daily medications?), behavior (is your cat a bit of a sexual deviant?), and what to do if someone sees your pet. Post to local rescue organizations, shelters, veterinary hospitals, and your own personal social media account.
Step 4: Make Some CallsWhile the internet and apps are game changers for finding lost pets, it is still vital to utilize “old school” techniques. Call your local shelters, veterinarian offices, humane societies, police stations, and animal control to alert them.
Step 5: Put Up PostersBlanket your area with posters—bright, neon-colored signs with black, bold, easy-to-read fonts and a clear photo of your cat. Consider posting a reward for your pet’s safe return. Place your posters and fliers in high-traffic areas to have as many people see them as possible.
Step 6: Update Your Cat’s Microchip InfoIf your pet has a microchip, update your contact information with the provider. Many microchip companies even have resources for lost pets, including helping in the outreach to local vets and shelters.
Step 7: Set Up a Humane TrapPurchase, rent, or borrow a humane trap to place near your home or around your cat’s last known whereabouts. Some traps allow you to set food and water as “bait.” Once an animal moves into the trap, it will humanely shut without causing harm. This method could result in trapping wildlife, too, so use caution!
Step 8: Put Your Cat’s Things OutsideConsider placing your cat’s litter box, favorite toys, bed, etc., outside to entice them to return.
Step 9: Try a Wildlife or Security CameraCats are notoriously good at hiding. Using a wildlife or security camera can be helpful in determining if your cat is still in the area, and to establish the best location for finding them or setting up a trap.
Step 10: Hire a Pet DetectiveWhen all else fails, consider hiring a pet detective—it’s not just for the movies! There are many agencies that will help find your missing cat. They may even use a search and rescue dog to help track the scent.
Don’t give up hope! Keep calling shelters and vet hospitals. Update often on social media, or change your posters to a different color to gain more attention. Let people know you are still looking for your cat and aren’t giving up.
What to Do If You Find Your CatDepending on your pet’s condition and how long they were missing, most vets recommend taking them for a physical exam at a minimum.
Together with your vet, examine your cat for fleas, ticks, cuts, bites, wounds, and anything else unusual. Your veterinarian will check their body weight and condition and may recommend bloodwork to assess hydration and other organ function.
They may have lived in squalor (e.g. at the Wonders), or in complete and utter lawlessness (e.g. at the Old Boys), but it is important to get them checked up and reintroduced to a caring home as soon as possible.
How to Keep Your Cat From Going Missing AgainSo, what can pet owners do to prevent this from happening? Having an emergency plan in place is a great starting point.
If your cat does not have a microchip, talk to your vet about this simple yet possibly life-saving device. Microchips are inexpensive and easy to insert at a regular exam in most cats.
Register your microchip with the company, so your information is on file if your cat ever goes missing. Be aware of the situations that could cause your cat to run away. Loud noises like fireworks, thunderstorms, or loud parties can cause anxiety and panic in animals.
Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in this situation, but if you do, remember not to panic. Act fast for the best chance to be reunited with your pet. Enlist help from friends, neighbors, and family. While not all pets make it back home, the quicker you spring into action and the broader your search network, the more likely you’ll have your furry friend back in your arms again.
Using these steps, I have successfully found my lost cat. I hope I have provided you with the tools to do the same if you ever find yourself in the same position.
WELCOME BACK TO THE DRAGONS, Bonz!
