| Okay, your cat is missing. Naturally you are | | | | there is the possibility he won't make it home. |
| worried and want to find your pet as soon as | | | | This is only one of the many good reasons to |
| you can. Keep in mind that cats do not usually | | | | have your cat, male or female, neutered. |
| leave home and most often a missing cat is | | | | If you are satisfied that your missing cat is |
| found, but it is best to start your search as soon | | | | nowhere close to your home you will need to |
| as you realize that your cat is not around. | | | | widen your search. Enlist help. Also ask people |
| Before you search the outside world make | | | | who are regularly in the area, mail carriers, people |
| certain that your cat is not inside your home. | | | | who walk their dog, moms taking kids to school, if |
| Have you checked everywhere? The basement, | | | | they have seen your cat. |
| loft space, that spare bedroom that never gets | | | | Cats are often more active at night so that may |
| used, your shed and garage? How about closets? | | | | be a good time for a search even in the places |
| In the refrigerator, yes cats can become shut in | | | | you've searched in the day. But don't search alone |
| refrigerators, you open the door to take | | | | at night. |
| something out and without you noticing your cat | | | | Post flyers around the area that your pet was |
| slips in. | | | | lost in, these can be very successful. Include a |
| Check also your washing machine, dryer, | | | | photograph of your missing cat and some |
| anywhere at all that your cat could have slipped | | | | information, but withhold some. Give your phone |
| into. | | | | number but not your address. If you offer a |
| Alright, you are certain that your cat is not on | | | | reward do not state how much on the flyer. |
| your property. Is your cat an “indoor” cat | | | | Don't forget to regularly check that the flyers are |
| that has somehow got out? Then your pet is not | | | | still in place. |
| likely to be far, sure she or he will be curious | | | | Why should you withhold some information? |
| about all the new sights and smells and will likely | | | | Because unfortunately there are lowlife that will |
| take time to sample them. | | | | claim to have found your cat, when they have |
| On the other hand your pet could have been | | | | not, for a chance of the finders reward. Never |
| threatened and chased by a dog, another cat or | | | | hand over reward money before you have your |
| some other animal. Search the area around your | | | | pet back safe and sound. |
| home. Look in neighbors sheds and garages, ask | | | | Check with cat rescue centers and shelters. Don't |
| permission of course, and ask your neighbors to | | | | wait to do this as many shelters are so |
| help you search. | | | | overwhelmed with stray and feral cats that they |
| Don't forget to look up! Cats that are being | | | | can't keep them long. Your cat may have been |
| chased tend to bolt up trees. They are extremely | | | | wearing identification, but tags, and indeed the |
| good at climbing up, you know this from your cat | | | | collar itself can come off. Don't just phone the |
| climbing your drapes, but because of the way | | | | shelters, visit them, your cat may be hard to |
| they are designed, they are not so good at | | | | identify from a description given over the phone. |
| climbing down. So there is your missing cat high in | | | | Check with all local veterinarians too. It just might |
| the branches, the threat has gone but your cat | | | | be that your missing cat has been injured and |
| can't climb down. Sure she may cry out, but | | | | taken to a veterinarian's office. You will also need |
| maybe not. So look up trees just in case. | | | | to contact the highway department or any other |
| Look also in any small space that your cat could | | | | agency that deals with road kills. It would be |
| possibly squeeze into, and cats can squeeze into | | | | better to you know if the worst has happened. |
| some very small spaces to get away from an | | | | Have you, or any of your neighbors, had anything |
| attacker. Again don't assume that your cat will | | | | delivered to, or collected from, the home |
| cry out, even if you are calling her name. She | | | | recently? It is not unknown for cats to investigate |
| may be very frightened and confused and prefer | | | | delivery vehicles and get taken away. Check with |
| to stay where she is safe if she thinks that the | | | | the delivery company just to make sure. |
| whole world is her enemy, so you have to look, | | | | When you have searched everywhere for your |
| using a flashlight will help. | | | | missing cat, search everywhere again. Remember |
| If your cat is an unaltered tomcat then he could | | | | that, although sadly some cats are lost forever, |
| have roamed a long ways off in pursuit of doing | | | | most often a missing cat is found. But you must |
| what comes naturally. He won't come home until | | | | not give up hope too soon and keep searching. |
| he has had his way, and sorry to say, as an | | | | Likely your cat will be back with you before you |
| un-neutered tom will think nothing of dashing | | | | know it. |
| across busy highways to get what he wants, | | | | |