Finding Fluffy: Tips for Finding a Lost Cat

Before expanding your search zone, it's best to start at home. Just because your kitty isn't coming to you doesn't necessarily mean they're gone. Your cat could be feeling a bit ill or antisocial. Perhaps something spooked them. Is there an unfamiliar guest in the house? Are the neighbors shooting off fireworks?

Check behind doors, in cabinets and closets, and under furniture. Maybe they're in the basement, attic, or garage. Examine every area a cat can get to before proceeding to the next step.

If your cat is officially missing, it's time to amp up your game. In the event they're microchipped, make sure all contact information is up-to-date with your provider. Then move on to canvassing your neighborhood.

Since most cats are found within several hundred feet of their home, begin by searching the immediate area. Knock on doors and talk to neighbors while showing them pictures and providing your contact info. Call your kitty's name and shake their treats. Food motivates felines, so a rustling bag or container may do the trick.

If your foot search yields nothing, it's time to step into the online world. Social media is one of the most effective ways to get the word out regarding a missing pet. There are countless groups and pages dedicated to lost animals, and armies of users will eagerly spread the word in minutes.

Apps and websites are fantastic networking tools and can instantly hook you up with neighbors, vets, shelters, and rescues. Just make sure you share as much information as possible. Current pictures, behavior, health issues, and any other details are important. Also, you need to let people know what to do if they spot your cat.

Don't forget about kicking it old-school. Call shelters, rescues, vets, and animal control to let them know what's happening.

Posters work well too. Use high-visibility colors with clear writing and recent photos. Put them in your neighborhood, but also extend your reach. High-traffic areas and intersections are ideal locations to hang up some signs. Plus, you may want to consider offering a reward for the safe return of your feline friend.

Because your kitty is outside in an unfamiliar place, there's a high chance they're confused, scared, and can't find their bearings. Familiarity could help spur your cat's return. Litter boxes, in particular, provide a scent your furball can't ignore. This allure could help guide your friend in the right direction.

Other items like their bed, toys, a favorite blanket, or their food bowls can also be of assistance. Use anything of importance to your cat to give them a comfortable reminder of home.

Cats are one of the best animals at hiding. There's a good chance your little one may be hanging around your home, but you simply can't spot them. Yet what you can't see, a camera will find.

Using security and wildlife cameras is an easy way to trail a missing feline. With 24-hour surveillance, they'll reveal if your kitty is still in the area.

If you suspect your cat is nearby, especially with recorded evidence, using a humane trap is a great option. Bait it with water and your kitty's favorite food, sit back, and wait. But be aware that there's also the potential to nab other animals, so proceed with caution when using any trap.

Keep the faith. Be persistent with all of these search methods. And as silly as it may sound, hiring a pet detective could work wonders in reuniting you with your missing kitty.

If your cat doesn't return to you within the first day or two, statistics show that at least one-third of all lost felines make it home on their own within the first week of being lost. Two or three months down the road, there's still nearly a two-thirds chance they'll be found.

Maybe things will go smoothly, and your kitty will come home without issue. Yet sometimes, pets end up in precarious positions. If they're in a tree, on a roof, or somewhere else unsafe, contact the local authorities to help retrieve them.

When you're finally reunited with your precious buddy, it's best to take them to the vet for a checkup. They'll be examined for wounds, ticks, injuries, hydration status, and other general concerns.

Having an awareness of your cat's behaviors, quirks, and nuances goes a long way in formulating a battle plan to prevent a future escape. For example, if they don't like visitors or loud noises, it's best to keep them in a safe area till their perceived threat is over.

A collar with the cat's identification and your contact info is always great to use. Better still are tracking devices added to this collar so you can monitor their location. And never forget to talk to your vet about microchipping your fuzzy friend.