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Many people have the idea that cats tend to be independent and too smart to get lost. This is true for some, but many cats do walk outside and can get lost easily. In fact, even if you have a cat door to allow them in and out freely they can still wander off!
If your cat is missing or wandering outside it’s important to take precautionary measures right away by posting signs, making a plea for help on Facebook or Twitter, as well as calling your local animal shelters just in case.
If your cat has been gone for a few days, or if you have found them and brought them home but they keep wandering out again, it is a good idea to make your home safer for them by closing off any potential exits. Keep in mind this will not work for all cats, but it will for many.
10 Ways To Find a Lost Cat
1. Look for shelter in your home.
If your cat has been missing for a week or more and you have already checked outside you may be wondering what else you can do. While this is true, it’s important to also not overlook other areas of the house. Your cat may have taken refuge in a hiding spot or even climbed into something that is loose, such as drywall or something that can be easily moved around.
2. Check inside closets, cabinets, and drawers.
Cats like to hide and keep their hideouts tucked away out of the way. If your cat is missing and you’ve checked all rooms, he or she could be curled up in a dark corner in one of these areas. Again, this is only true for some cats, but it will work for many.
3. Look inside appliances.
Most cats don’t like anything to do with water, but if they are missing and you have already checked behind your washing machine, in the tub and shower, or underneath the sink they may have made their way inside an appliance in the kitchen or bathroom. Check around any small areas and also open up any hoses or vents.
4. Look under furniture.
If your cat has been missing for a week or more, and you’ve already checked inside your closet, cabinets and drawers as well as behind appliances and in the tub or shower then it is time to start looking under furniture. Cats like to hide in small cracks and tight areas but may also be there because they are just scared of being alone. Make sure you lift up the furniture while looking and checking inside the nooks and crannies.
5. Look inside cars.
If your cat has been missing for a week or more, and you have checked all of the above areas then it’s time to start looking outside. Start by checking any vehicles that are in your garage or driveway, but if you don’t see a cat there then take an extra look around the entire area as well as under other parked cars.
6. Check hiding spots inside your yard.
Most cats like to find a spot to nap during the day and may spend the night there in a box or container that you don’t even realize is their hideout. Thanks to new inventions such as cat litters, hiding places have become easier for cats to access and are now more readily available for them than ever. By looking around your yard you may be able to find clues that point you in the direction of where your pet has gone missing, or at least narrow down where you should check first.
7. Check under your deck or porch.
If you have a yard with a deck or large porch you may not want to overlook that area as well. A cat could easily find shelter underneath a house or in the cracks or crevices of a wooden structure. If your cat has been missing for a week or more, it’s time to make sure that underneath your deck has not become their new home!
8. Put up posters at local shelters and veterinary clinics.
If your cat is missing it’s important to get the word out as quickly as possible. Posting signs around your neighborhood can help you to locate your missing pet quicker and also give you a better chance of finding them. Be sure to put up several around the area and even at other shelters or veterinary clinics in case someone has brought your pet there by mistake.
9. Report your cat as missing to local animal shelters and vets.
If you have already posted signs and made a plea on Facebook and Twitter, it is important to also call your local animal shelters and vets so they know not to put your lost cat up for adoption.
10. Contact local rescues or check online pet listings.
Many people check local pet listing websites for lost or stray animals and also post on these sites when their pets are missing. These websites can be good to use for locating lost cats since many people post pictures of their pets to help find them. Many animals go missing, but in a few days, it’s likely that your cat will have been claimed by a new loving family who will be happy to take care of him or her.
Conclusion
By following these steps you will be able to more easily find your missing cat. If you’ve already checked inside and outside, looked in all of the above areas, and you are still unable to find your pet then taking more action is essential. Call the local animal shelters or vets as well as contact other rescues possibly. Again, this may not work for all cats but it will happen for many that are missing.
Buying a pet recovery collar or tag is always a good idea in case your cat ever gets out and gets lost. If you have gone through these steps and still cannot locate your missing cat it’s important to contact animal control as well as check with shelters and veterinary clinics. Signs can easily be missed, so it’s best to contact local shelters right away
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