( 
)Suggestions to follow if your cat goes missing (by Haworth Cat Rescue)
1. Create posters with picture and details plus contact number(s) ..... hand out to neighbours and anyone you see. Put up in local shops, pubs, bus stops, libraries and supermarkets - in fact any public/communal areas in the neighbourhood. Stick to all local lamp posts. (If it rains go and collect them and replace - the neighbours and council don’t mind you putting them up so much that way). Also put one in your car and friends’ cars - it's amazing how many people see them this way. Laminating them or putting them in plastic jackets will make them last longer.
2. Make smaller flyers and push through every letterbox on your streets and the surrounding area. They don’t have to be big - you could have six or eight to a page and just cut them into smaller notices. Remember you can never have too many posters out there! It is also a good idea to offer a Reward … of course this doesn’t have to be money, a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers is just as good.
3. 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. Or better still go and check the shed etc yourself. Your cat may respond to you but not a stranger. Remember though, a cat’s instinct is to remain quiet to avoid capture. Your cat may not respond at first. Call, wait and call again. Ask your neighbour(s) if you can repeat this at different times of the day for the next few days, or if they will leave the door or a window ajar.
4. Register the cat lost at all vets/catteries/rescue homes within a 20mile radius (remember to keep a record of everyone you contact). And, if he is microchipped, inform the microchip company that he is missing (that way, if anyone tries to change the address, they should contact you first). Keep checking with them - some are less reliable at getting back to you than others
5. Contact any other “animal” organisations/establisments you can find - these might include dog groomers, pet sitters, animal feed shops etc etc. Although they probably won’t operate a “lost and found” register, they will chat to pet owners, and word may get around.
6. Leave food out and a toy
7. Leave out an unwashed item of your clothing - socks are a good idea.
8. Put the contents of your vacuum cleaner bag on your garden - it’s full of smells that the cat will recognise and if doesn’t bring the cat directly to your door will at least hopefully keep him/her in the area. Alternatively if you have a litter tray that the cat has used put some of the used litter on the garden as this will have familiar smells in it.
9. Contact the local fire brigade and see if they have had to rescue any stuck cats
10. Ask the local children to look - they are great for knowing all the local hidey-holes and love helping. Ask the children to TELL you if they find a cat, not to bring it to you (it might not be yours!). Also have a word with your local post-person, milk man and any other delivery people in your area.
11. Ask the local radio station to announce the cat is missing and give out a contact number
12. Put an advert in the local paper. Repeat the advert after a fortnight.
13. Contact your local environmental services dept (bin men/cleansing) they should keep a log of all deceased animals picked up on the roadside ... this is not a pleasant call to make and hopefully it will come back as negative, but at least it will help with uncertainty. Make this call every couple of days or so, as they may not phone you back if they find a cat after you've contacted them.
14. Go out after dark when it is quieter with a friend/partner and walk round the local area gently calling every so often (give the cat a chance to answer you). Keep talking as you walk round, that way if s/he is in the area s/he will hear you. Note, it is better to call when you are on the way home rather than the way out, so that you don't inadvertently lead him further from home.
15. Check out any known local feral colonies - vets/rescue groups may be aware of some, or you might hear of some as you make other enquiries. S/he could be living there.
16. Search the web for lost and found sites and register with as many as possible, submitting photos if you can.
Good luck and stay positive.
Hopefully your little one has just got himself shut in a shed somewhere.
And finally ……. IMPORTANT NOTE: When you get your cat back remember to remove ALL the posters and inform all vets / rescues / websites /microchip company etc that they are home.
(The information on this guide is copied from the Haworth Cat Rescue website. Search the internet to find our website for more information).
UK Registered charity number 1058218
1. Create posters with picture and details plus contact number(s) ..... hand out to neighbours and anyone you see. Put up in local shops, pubs, bus stops, libraries and supermarkets - in fact any public/communal areas in the neighbourhood. Stick to all local lamp posts. (If it rains go and collect them and replace - the neighbours and council don’t mind you putting them up so much that way). Also put one in your car and friends’ cars - it's amazing how many people see them this way. Laminating them or putting them in plastic jackets will make them last longer.
2. Make smaller flyers and push through every letterbox on your streets and the surrounding area. They don’t have to be big - you could have six or eight to a page and just cut them into smaller notices. Remember you can never have too many posters out there! It is also a good idea to offer a Reward … of course this doesn’t have to be money, a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers is just as good.
3. 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. Or better still go and check the shed etc yourself. Your cat may respond to you but not a stranger. Remember though, a cat’s instinct is to remain quiet to avoid capture. Your cat may not respond at first. Call, wait and call again. Ask your neighbour(s) if you can repeat this at different times of the day for the next few days, or if they will leave the door or a window ajar.
4. Register the cat lost at all vets/catteries/rescue homes within a 20mile radius (remember to keep a record of everyone you contact). And, if he is microchipped, inform the microchip company that he is missing (that way, if anyone tries to change the address, they should contact you first). Keep checking with them - some are less reliable at getting back to you than others
5. Contact any other “animal” organisations/establisments you can find - these might include dog groomers, pet sitters, animal feed shops etc etc. Although they probably won’t operate a “lost and found” register, they will chat to pet owners, and word may get around.
6. Leave food out and a toy
7. Leave out an unwashed item of your clothing - socks are a good idea.
8. Put the contents of your vacuum cleaner bag on your garden - it’s full of smells that the cat will recognise and if doesn’t bring the cat directly to your door will at least hopefully keep him/her in the area. Alternatively if you have a litter tray that the cat has used put some of the used litter on the garden as this will have familiar smells in it.
9. Contact the local fire brigade and see if they have had to rescue any stuck cats
10. Ask the local children to look - they are great for knowing all the local hidey-holes and love helping. Ask the children to TELL you if they find a cat, not to bring it to you (it might not be yours!). Also have a word with your local post-person, milk man and any other delivery people in your area.
11. Ask the local radio station to announce the cat is missing and give out a contact number
12. Put an advert in the local paper. Repeat the advert after a fortnight.
13. Contact your local environmental services dept (bin men/cleansing) they should keep a log of all deceased animals picked up on the roadside ... this is not a pleasant call to make and hopefully it will come back as negative, but at least it will help with uncertainty. Make this call every couple of days or so, as they may not phone you back if they find a cat after you've contacted them.
14. Go out after dark when it is quieter with a friend/partner and walk round the local area gently calling every so often (give the cat a chance to answer you). Keep talking as you walk round, that way if s/he is in the area s/he will hear you. Note, it is better to call when you are on the way home rather than the way out, so that you don't inadvertently lead him further from home.
15. Check out any known local feral colonies - vets/rescue groups may be aware of some, or you might hear of some as you make other enquiries. S/he could be living there.
16. Search the web for lost and found sites and register with as many as possible, submitting photos if you can.
Good luck and stay positive.
Hopefully your little one has just got himself shut in a shed somewhere.
And finally ……. IMPORTANT NOTE: When you get your cat back remember to remove ALL the posters and inform all vets / rescues / websites /microchip company etc that they are home.
(The information on this guide is copied from the Haworth Cat Rescue website. Search the internet to find our website for more information).
UK Registered charity number 1058218
Guide created: 24/12/07 (updated 25/12/07)
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