Lost Cat, what should I do?

Fern_Merkin

Hi

My lovely cat hasn't been home since Saturday and I'm distraught. He's never stayed out overnight in the 13 years I've known him. I was on holiday until Sunday but he and his housemate were fed and watered eveyday and this is normally ok.

I have phoned the vet and waited and now I'm quite upset. Is there anything else I can do? I'm putting pics and notes through neighbours letterboxes this evening.

I know he may just walk in any time but I'm back at work now and my heads gone west. Any advice please, would be great.

Thanks

FX

Paparika

I'm sure he has just found a temporary home with someone around the area who may think he's a stray, i'm sure he will be back home soon.

The OH has a cat visit him on a regular basis so he has stocked up on kitty goodies for when he does visit, he even stays overnight.

marshmallow79

Have you called all the vets in your surrounding area and all the animal shelters? Mine did this last year and I even talked my local radio station into doing a free plug for me!
I don't know where you live but do you have a local gumtree www.gumtree.co.uk. You can put an advert on there for free in the animal section as well as their lost and found section. I'm sure your cat will turn up soon hun, if he/she has been missing since Saturday I would say they would probably have been shut in the shed or garage of one of your neighbours when they've been doing their garden so when you put a note through everyones door make sure you ask them to check any out buildings they have. Don't worry cats are very hardy little creatures and he/she will be back in no time.

SnowyOwl_2

Have a look at https://www.mymoggy.com They are experts on finding lost kitties and will be able to help you a lot.

I hope you get your cat back asap.

nealallen

To add to that, print off some pic's and post them up around the area.

I'm not sure that a cat at the age of 13 would saty away from home, I'm just praying he is OK

eira

Is the cat microchipped?
This is what's worked for me-ring all the vets for a radius of several miles
/put up leaflets in petrol stations and anywhere where little kids and dog walkers go (they always notice things that other people don't!)also p0et shops
ring all the local animal rescue organisations and the RSPCA national no-they have a report lost and found animal section
and-ring the city council section that picks up animals from the road-horrible I know but at least it would provide peace of mind one way or another

Make sure the leaflet has an appealing picture-get a look alike of the net if necessary

Don't give up cats are prone to tantrums and walkabouts-mine do a paddy if the cat pouches are the wrong flavour or the biscuits are cheap or they simply take exception to the change in routine

Stompa

Some possible ideas here:

http://www.soyouhavelostyourcat.co.uk/

http://www.nationalpetregister.org/

Fern_Merkin

Thanks to you all for the support and info. I will be checking the websites out and phoning organisations as you suggest. Newton is not microchipped unfortunately. I'm flapping cos he's my baby;) had him since kittenhood. Total sweetie.

I'll let you know if he's home for tea

Cazza

When my sister's cat went missing, we leafletted (?) all the nearby houses and put up lots of the leaflets in local businesses and shops. We also contacted all the local kennels and catteries as many of them take in stray pets.

She was found by a local person, but about 3 miles from where she'd gone missing.

Good luck! :grouphug:

spookylukey

Sorry to hear your cat is missing, I've copied and pasted the info from this link as I know some people don't like clicking random internet links!

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/in...ic,4304.0.html

There's lots of good advice and other lost/found websites to post to, hope he comes home soon.



Here are a few things to try:

1. Posters, Posters, Posters with picture and details with contact number.....hand out to neighbours and anyone you see. Put up in local shops, pubs and supermarkets. Stick to all local lamp posts. (If it rains go and collect them and replace however it's best to put posters in plastic wallets so if it rains they don't go all soggy - the neighbours and council don’t mind you putting them up so much that way). Also put one in your and friends cars - it amazing how many people see them this way. Make smaller flyers and push through every letterbox on your streets and the surrounding area. It is a good idea to offer a reward … of course this doesn’t have to be money … a box of cho-colates or a bunch of flowers is just as good.

2. Knock on doors and ask neighbours to check their sheds and garages WHILE YOU WAIT … it's surprising how many people say they will check but as soon as the door is closed they forget. Knock on 10 doors either side of your house on both sides of the street.

3. Register him lost at all vets/catteries/rescue homes within a 20mile radius. Follow the link and click on the map to find rescues in your area http://www.catchat.org/adoption/index.html

4. Leave food out and a toy of his

5. Leave out an unwashed item of your clothing

6. Put the contents of your hoover bag on your garden - it’s full of smells that they will recognise and if doesn’t bring him directly to your door will at least hopefully keep him in the area. Alternatively if you have a litter tray that has used put some of the used litter on the garden as this will have familiar smells in it.

7. Contact the local fire brigade and see if they have had to rescue any stuck cats

8. Ask the local children to look - they are great for knowing all the local hidey-holes and love helping. Also have a word with your local post-person and milk man if there is one that delivers in your area. Also try and enlist the help of people walking dogs as they tend to go “off road” in the fields and parks.

9. Ask the local radio station to announce he’s missing and give out a contact number

10. Put an advert in the local paper

11. Contact your local environmental services dept (bin men) they keep a log of all animals picked on the roadside ... I know this is not a pleasant call to make and hopefully it will come back as negative.

12. Go out after dark when it is quieter with a friend / partner and walk round the local area gently calling every so often (give him a chance to answer you). Keep talking as you walk round that way if he is in the area he will hear you.

13. When you talk to vets and rescues, ask them about any known local feral colonies and where they are based. If Kitty has been missing for more than a few days s/he might have wandered further afield and might be “hanging round” near a colony for security (safety in numbers) and company. If vets/rescues know locations of colonies, these might be useful to get some ideas of where to start looking.

14. If you have Pet Insurance check your policy to see if they will assist with advertising costs or reward costs for a lost cat. Some policies cover as much as £1000 of local advertising and upto £500 reward.

Finally have a look at these sites - they are all EXCELLENT

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php

http://www.catchat.org/forum.html

http://www.mymoggy.com/ contact Sue at mymoggy.

http://thehovel.com/bb/index.php?f=2...ost&order=DESC

http://nationalpetregister.org

http://www.soyouhavelostyourcat.co.uk/#1

http://www.petsearchuk.org.uk/

http://www.amissingpet.co.uk/lostandfound.html

http://www.animalsearchuk.com/

http://pet-rescue.org.uk/forums/index.php?showforum=308

http://www.lostmycat.org/index.php

http://www.animalrescuers.co.uk/html/lostfound.html

http://www.foundandlostpets.co.uk/

http://www1.!!!!!!!!!!!!!/pettalk/missingpetsbulletinboard.htm

http://www.petsmiles.com/v1/found.php


Also don't forget to check ad websites, such as.....

www.friday-ad.co.uk

www.adtrader.co.uk

www.uk.freeads.net

www.classifieds.co.uk

and also your local rescue shelter/s websites too!


Good luck and stay positive.

Hopefully your little one has just got itself shut in a shed somewhere.

And finally ……. IMPORTANT NOTE: When you get your furbabe back remember to remove ALL the posters and inform all vets / rescues / websites etc that they are home.

Fern_Merkin

Hi

He's still out there somewhere. Spoke to all neighbours yesterday and gave out leaflets with pic and phone no. All very supportive which was nice.

Another sleepless night, I'm shattered. Thanks for all the info Spookylukey and everyone else. Will put notes on all lamp posts tonight if Newt not home. I've found myself praying, not my usual behaviour at all. Still, might help. Had a good cry too :rolleyes:

Heyho. Time to work.