Help! I've lost my cat! If you have lost your cat or kitten, of course it is very distressing, but remember that most return of their own accord, sometimes several days later. Many cats hide close to the home they know. 

There are quite a few things you can also do to help find your missing cat:- 

1 >> Home Search

• Start straight away and make a thorough search of your home. Search each room individually. Look under & inside chairs and cupboards; make sure you don't miss any nooks or crannies.

2 >> Local Search

• Next, check the trees, hedges and overgrown areas on and around your property for your lost cat. Also any shed, greenhouse or outbuildings you May have. Go door-to-door with a photo of your missing cat. Ask neighbours to kindly look in their outbuildings and alleyways. Walk your garden and local area; shake dry cat food or treats gently as you walk around whilst gently calling your lost cat. The best time to do this is very late at night when all is still. Note; children should not carry this local check out alone, it is advisable to have adult accompaniment, especially after dark.

Stop regularly and listen; give your lost cat a chance to answer your call. Stay in one area long enough for your pet to reach you if he or she is in the vicinity

More Help to find your Lost Cat

3 >> Advertise!

Place a description and photo for your lost cat on the free www.Lostmycat.org UK website database - around 12 million households have access in the UK.

Also, place a lost cat ad in your local newspaper, and regularly check their found ads. Make leaflets stating where your cat was lost, your telephone number, with description and photo to post in local shops and Post Office, with a reward for it's return. Also stick these to lamp posts in the area. Call your local radio stations, some will announce your loss over the air.

4 >> Vets/ Animal Welfare/ Council

Call your local vet to find if your cat has been picked up or had an accident. Let the staff know your cat is missing, and leave your cat’s description and telephone number. Ring the local council’s Environmental Health Department. They will be able to tell you if a cat matching your description has been found killed on the road. If this call is sadly too difficult for you ask a friend or relative. Contact animal welfare organizations (see links below)

5 >> Scent, Food and Comfort Lure

• Hang a well-used piece of your clothing/ shoes outside or near to your front and back door.  Also for a bed, a large box with some bedding. Place food and water nearby. Place a tray of soiled litter around the boundaries of your property, their scent could well help your lost cat find its way home. 

Don't give up! Cats have a wonderful ability to survive, and there are many cases of pets returning home after months or years away.

Found a Cat? Some Help

• If the found cat is hungry, please feed it, and make water available, not milk. Make sure there is some shelter for it outside, which is dry. Take the found cat to a vet who will check for a microchip ~ for details of vets in your area go to: www.vetlist.co.uk phone the RSPCA helpline 0870 5555 999 to register the cat's details, as they match up lost & found cats. 

• Place a description - a photo is up to you- for your found cat on the free  www.Lostmycat.org UK website database - around 12 million households have access in the UK. Do not to give a completely full description of the found cat; the reason is if someone contacts you saying the cat belongs to them, you can check those extra details with them to know if they are the genuine owners.

Please ensure any person contacting you as the owner of the found cat provides some proof of ownership e.g. their own photograph or detailed description of marking etc. before releasing the cat to them. They May just want a free pet.

Check the lost & found notices in your local paper make up a small notice saying 'Cat Found' with a description, which can be displayed in local newsagents, shops etc.

For the future - If you haven't already!

• If your cat goes outside, make sure they wear a collar with an identity disc showing your name and telephone number.

• Consider having the cat neutered, this does help to prevent wandering.

• You could also consider a microchip, which can be injected by a vet under the skin of your cat's neck.

Don't forget to use www.Lostmycat.org ; around half the UK population now has access to the internet!