Lost Cat Recovery
There’s nothing more panic inducing (to a pet owner) than when a strictly indoor kitty gets themselves outside. This is when we typically grab the container of treats, head outside and start frantically calling kitty’s name. We may even walk / drive around our neighbourhood trying to entice our cat to come home again.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t give us the results we want. Cats who are not used to being outside will quickly find a place to hide. They will stay securely hidden and very quiet even as they watch you search for them. It’s not uncommon for a cat to stay hidden until they get hungry and that can take days.
Calmly search your property for your cat.
Use a flashlight to search close to the exit point – under steps, and in small places. If their head fits, then the body will follow. Also, a cat’s eyes will shine in the dark if you’re scanning with the flashlight. Lost pets will be more active at dusk and at dawn, so this is a good time to search.
Don’t assume where your cat may fit. Scared cats will jam themselves into tight places.
If you think you’ve located your cat and it won’t come out, SIT DOWN close by, and quietly talk out loud to kitty or even scroll on your phone. Cats are curious creatures, and they can be encouraged to come to you. If it’s quiet, you may hear them moving around and that will help you to locate their hiding spot.
Indoor/Outdoor cats usually have their own territory established and typically, they don’t leave this territory unless they’ve been chased off by a dog or another cat.
Calmly search your property and be sure to look along fencing and other boundary markers.
Use a flashlight to search at dusk and dawn. Animals are more active at these times.
Ask your neighbours if you can search their yards or ask them to search for you. Check under steps, etc. Just like you would for an indoor kitty (who’s now outside)
Spread the word that your cat is missing.
Post your lost cat on social media pages. Search for local lost pet groups using your community name and add “lost cat” or “lost pets” (example “Oromocto Lost Pets”) TIP: Don’t forget to make your post ‘shareable’.
By using social media, you are looking for people who found your cat (and either have your cat in their possession or they have taken your cat to a shelter) or for people who have seen your cat (and know the area where you should be searching). This is why, posting a lost (and a found) cat on the Internet on Lost & Found Facebook pages is so highly effective.
Who to call:
Town of Oromocto Animal Control 506-357-4409
Oromocto SPCA 506-446-4107*
City of Fredericton Animal Control 506-363-3320
Fredericton SPCA 506-459-1555*
(*Check in with your local shelter every 2-3 days. ‘Found’ animals are held for 72 hours before being available for adoption.)
Information to provide:
Your name and best contact info
Your cat’s name, description, and distinguishing marks
Is the cat microchipped, neutered/spayed, an indoor only cat or an indoor/outdoor cat
Area where the cat is lost.
Events leading up to cat getting outside
MAKE SIGNS (More info here)
Make them GIANT so that people driving by can see them.
Make them FLUORESCENT so that the color attracts the attention of everyone.
Use Large, Black, Block letters, include a picture of your cat and your phone number
Put them near where you lost your pet (and in areas of sightings).
A word about putting out scented items and litterboxes in the hopes of luring the cat back home: While there has been no formal study performed to prove or dismiss these practices, placing used litter boxes outside your home may attract other, unwanted animals that could hinder your cat’s homecoming.
If you need help searching, trapping etc. your missing pet, there’s a local group of people who have had MARN training. You can contact them via their Facebook page: Maritime Animal Response Team
Extra Help: In-depth information concerning missing and lost pets can be found on the Missing Animal Response Network website.