Our cats are not just pets: they are real members of the family! Also, it is always with a certain anxiety that we notice that our cat does not come home at the usual times or for its meal. Very often, this is just because he is taking a longer walk. However, it may actually happen that he takes a long time to return because he ended up getting lost. We then wait impatiently for it sometimes for whole days and it is then very difficult not to panic. We begin to fear that he has been knocked down, that he is stuck somewhere or that he is injured. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your disoriented cat get home. Discover all the steps to follow to find a lost cat as quickly as possible.
To find your pet, be methodical
Most often, a cat does not leave no more than 200 or 300 m from home. So start by going around your neighborhood, especially the places where he generally walks if you know them. Take the opportunity to ask your neighbors as well as local businesses to find out if they have come across your missing cat. And of course, if this is not conclusive, do not hesitate to post posters everywhere (bus shelters, shops, etc.).
In terms of approach, remember that beyond its obligatory nature, the identification of your pets is the best way to find them in the event of a problem. If someone finds your pet, this allows you to be contacted to get your cat home more quickly. Also, do not hesitate to declare the loss of your animal and check that your contact details are still correct if he is chipped or tattooed. Also remember to notify the local SPA, the police and the local pounds as well as the veterinarians where your animal could be. Finally, report his disappearance in local newspapers, your department’s “Pet Alert” group on Facebook as well as the chat-perdu site.
Two tips for finding your lost cat faster
Use olfactory stimuli to bring him back
The cat has an excellent sense of smell and will be able to detect the smell of its litter box several hundred meters away. By putting it outside in an accessible place or in front of the door soiled litteryou will help him find his way more easily.
Follow a calling ritual to make yourself heard by your lost cat
It was Patricia Franckhauser, former volunteer head of Animal Protection, who popularized this tip. It consists of calling your cat according to a specific schedule and method. Your cat will hear a familiar voice and this will allow guide him to his home. To do this, you must act at a time when there is less noise pollution such as early morning or even in the evening, at nightfall. This is the time when you will most easily be able to hear him meowing if he is stuck somewhere.
To make your call successful, call your cat in a distinct voice for 5 minutes every half hour. Ideally, repeat this ritual always from the same place (so that he can spot you more easily) and over three hours to give him a long enough spotting window to have time to approach. Then repeat these steps every evening for ten days. If he’s afraid, he won’t necessarily come the first night. However, he will quickly gain confidence and will surely approach in the following days.
Beware of scams! If you have posted posters with your contact details, ill-intentioned people with despicable practices could contact you and using your distress to extort money from you. Never give money for the return of your pet, especially if you are not sure that the person you are talking to really has it. In addition, never call an 08 number (probably a premium rate call). It will always be a scam.