Find a Cat That Might Be Hiding

Loosing track of your cat can be a scary experience. It may be difficult to find them or to know where to start your search. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to protect your cat from becoming lost and make it easier to find your cat if they do go wandering.

Looking Inside the Home

 * 1) Remain calm. Losing track of your cat can be nerve-racking.  Keeping calm will help you think clearly and make the most of your search.  Stay relaxed and look for your cat as calmly as you can to increase the odds of you finding them. [[Image:Find a Cat That Might Be Hiding Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *Get a flash-light to help you in your search.
 * 3) *Think about where you last saw your cat and start the search there.
 * 4) *Keep focused. Search everywhere you can think to look.
 * 5) *Search systematically. Look in all the possible hiding spots in a room before moving to the next room.
 * 6) Search inside your home first. As soon as you notice that you haven't seen your cat for a while, start searching around and inside your house.  By searching your house first, you may be able to quickly find your cat and avoid searching beyond your home. [[Image:Find a Cat That Might Be Hiding Step 2 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 7) *Check everywhere, even in tight or small spaces.
 * 8) *Look behind and under furniture.
 * 9) *Ask your family members if they have seen your cat.
 * 10) *Try shaking a bag of treats to coax your cat out from its hiding spot.
 * 11) *Call out your cat's name. Hearing your voice can sometimes call your cat out.
 * 12) *Listen for your cat's voice as you search to help pinpoint its location.
 * 13) Give your cat some time. If you have been searching, having looked everywhere you can think, then you might want to wait for a while.  Your cat may have found a hiding spot that you have missed and may just be taking a nap there. [[Image:Find a Cat That Might Be Hiding Step 3 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 14) *If you can't find your indoor cat after intensive searching, try waiting for an hour before expanding the search.
 * 15) *If your cat is hiding due to being afraid of something, your search may have caused them to stay in hiding.

Expanding the Search

 * 1) Search outside your house. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, you should still start looking outside your house if you can't seem to find it indoors.  Start looking in the area immediately surrounding your house before searching your neighborhood.  [[Image:Find a Cat That Might Be Hiding Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *Check under any bushes or plants that might be by your house.
 * 3) *Try looking under your car or even under the hood of your car.
 * 4) *If you have any trees near your house, try checking if your cat may have climbed them.
 * 5) *Always call out for your cat as you search.
 * 6) *Try bringing your cat's favorite treats out with you, shaking the bag as you search.
 * 7) *House cats won't often wander too far from home, generally only straying around 500 feet from their home.
 * 8) Expand the search to your neighborhood. If you cannot find your cat either in or nearby your home, it's time to expand the area of your search.  You will want to start searching your neighborhood and asking if your neighbors have seen your cat.  [[Image:Find a Cat That Might Be Hiding Step 5 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 9) *Start your search by foot. This will allow you to search areas close by in more detail.
 * 10) *Ask your neighbors if they have seen your cat or to let you know if they do.
 * 11) *As you expand your search, you may want to slowly drive around your neighborhood.
 * 12) *Keep calling out to your cat as the sound of your voice may cause them to approach you.
 * 13) *Do not trespass. If you want to search a neighbor's property for your cat, ask permission first.
 * 14) Make a flyer for your cat. If you can't find your cat nearby your house, you will want to create an “lost pet” flyer for your cat.  This flyer can be posted in approved public locations to alert and inform your community.  Follow some of the following tips to make a clear and informative flyer:  [[Image:Find a Cat That Might Be Hiding Step 6 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 15) *Stick to one style or design to avoid confusion.
 * 16) *Make the purpose of the flyer obvious. Try writing “LOST CAT” in bold letters at the top.
 * 17) *Include a photo of your cat if you can. Make sure the photo is a good representation of your pet.
 * 18) *It's critical that you list details about your cat. Name, age, breed, weight, color, sex, and any other distinguishing marks.
 * 19) *List two phone numbers at which you can be reached directly.

Making the Most of your Search

 * 1) Call local animal shelters. If you cannot find your cat and no one has responded to your search, check with local animal shelters.  Sometimes a person may find your cat, but not know where you or your cat lives, and may take it to the shelter.  [[Image:Find a Cat That Might Be Hiding Step 7 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *Check with both private and city run animal shelters.
 * 3) *Visit in person with details and a picture of your pet to help the staff identify your cat should it be brought in.
 * 4) *Check in with your shelter once every 2 or 3 days.
 * 5) Try using social media. In addition to your neighborhood search, you can utilize social media to help the search.  Try posting details about your lost cat on these platforms to inform a large group of friends and family at once, getting everyone in on the search. [[Image:Find a Cat That Might Be Hiding Step 8.jpg|center]]
 * 6) *Provide a good picture of your lost cat. Make sure the photo is one that can help identify your pet.
 * 7) *Include details about your cat including sex, age, weight, color, name or any other distinguishing marks.
 * 8) *Let people know when and where your pet was last seen.
 * 9) Properly ID your cat. By properly providing identification for your pet, you will make it easier for them to be returned home to you if they are lost.  The two main forms of pet ID are tags and microchips. [[Image:Find a Cat That Might Be Hiding Step 9.jpg|center]]
 * 10) *Tags are attached to your cat's collar. These tags are usually metal and have your contact information engraved on them.
 * 11) *Microchips have to be implanted by a veterinarian. The chip contains your contact information digitally, as a back up in case the collar and tags should come off.
 * 12) *Always keep the information on the tags or in the microchip up to date. This will ensure that anyone who finds your cat will know exactly where to return your cat.

Tips

 * House cats will likely stay within 5 acres of their home.
 * Feral cats wander in a larger range, possibly over 1,000 acres.
 * Properly identifying your pet, either with collar tags or microchips, is a great way to have your pet returned to you quickly.

Sources and Citations
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