For example, your pet had free access to the street. If he does not return home for longer than usual, there is little chance of finding him. Most likely, he is unable to get home – injured or even dead.
Sequence of actions if a cat is lost
No one is immune from the accidental "escape" of a pet. Of course, the risk group includes careless cat owners who "forgot" to put especially strong mosquito nets on their windows, or who let their pets out onto balconies and loggias that are not glazed.
But cats are extremely curious and easily slip into the ajar door – before you know it a quick whiskered snout is exploring the stairwell.
How to return the fugitive? Do not panic and do not reprimand yourself for levity (you still have time for this).
The sooner you take action to find the missing person, the more likely you are to find him or her alive and unharmed. And get ready for the fact that you won't have a minute to spare in the next few days.
10 must-do steps to find a cat
1. Have you not seen your pet get away? Then, no matter how sure you are that it's not home, search every nook and cranny of the apartment. This is relevant when the windows are closed and the front door is double – in the hallway to several apartments, and then already to the stairwell. There is a small chance that your pet is sleeping soundly somewhere (for example, in the far corner of the closet).
2. So the cat is definitely not at home. It's not always the cat tends to the street, and besides, most entrances have doors with intercoms. We examine the entryway – first the upper floors, then the lower and the basement (if it is open). Ask your neighbors – those who might be at home at the time of the alleged escape.
3. The pet was not found in the entryway. Go outside with a flashlight, some treats, a rustling toy and an old sheet (don't expect the pet to run up to you at the first "kitty-kitty", you'll have to catch it). It is desirable to involve helpers. Do not forget that the runaway cat is in a state of shock. Much more shocked than you.
4. Let's explore the area directly by the walls of the house and at a distance of several tens of meters. Every bush and corner that can serve as a shelter. Look under every car. Go around garages if they are near. It is unlikely that a cat will run far away right away.
5. If there is no cat near the house, widen the search area. But not randomly, but in a divergent spiral, starting from the house. Search as thoroughly as possible.
6. Ask dog owners, mothers with babies, children, teenagers hanging out around the porches, seniors on the benches. It is desirable to have a quality printed picture of the cat.
7. It is possible that you will not find your pet in the first few hours. You should put together a missing-pet ad, with a good reward and a picture. Print and post it on bulletin boards at entrances of nearby houses and stores, on bus stops. Of course, place the ad on the Internet.
How to find a hidden cat
Contributor(s): Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with more than 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and treating companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
Any cat owner would be frightened if their pet went missing. If a cat has decided to hide, it can be difficult to find. Sometimes it's not clear where to start looking. Fortunately, there are several ways and precautions that can help keep your cat from getting lost and help you find her if she hides or decides to take a walk.
Look for your cat at home
- A flashlight will help you find your cat.
- Think back to the last place you saw your cat and start looking there.
- Concentrate. Look in all possible places.
- Search systematically. Search the room for every possible place where the cat might have hidden before moving on to another room.
- Check all corners and nooks, even the tightest and smallest ones.
- Look behind furniture and under furniture.
- If there are places you can't reach or can't look, take your hair dryer and try blowing warm (not hot) air there. If the cat is there, it will probably force it to come out.
- Ask your pets when they last saw the cat.
- To lure out a hidden cat, rustle up a bag of food.
- Call the cat by name. When it hears its owner's voice, the cat may decide it's time to come out.
- Listen to see if you can hear the cat. Its mewing will help you know exactly where it is hiding.
Turn out the lights. Cats are nocturnal animals and are often more active at night than during the day. Try to turn off all the lights in your apartment and listen carefully: you might hear a cat's footsteps or other noises. If you can't find the cat during the day, look again when it's dark outside the window.
How to get a runaway house cat to come home
Contributor(s): Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and treating companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked in the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
Number of sources used in this article: 7. You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.
The loss of a pet is a difficult event for the whole family and especially for children. Cats are inquisitive by nature, they love to explore new objects and places. Alas, they don't always manage to find their way back. Do not panic, we will help you bring your beloved Murka home.
Act without delay
- Act in an organized manner. Assign each member of the search party one or two streets. Ask them to be careful, look under cars and trash bins.
- Leave the front door open. After a while, the cat may come back on its own. So leave her entrance to the house. Take the cat's favorite blanket outside or put the cat's litter box outside so the wind blows a little bit of the smell. This will help a lost animal. Don't forget to leave someone in the house to avoid uninvited guests.
- Don't run around. It may seem like a rush during an outdoor search. However, sudden movements will only scare the animal. Cats can't stand them and will hide at any threat.
- If you live near a busy road, make sure the cat is not hit by a car. Unfortunately, such accidents are not uncommon. [2] X Source of Information
