What to do if you’ve lost your pet

Pet Care Tips

lost your pet cat walking away

Here at For Kitty’s Sake, we know firsthand that some cats are natural escape artists. We lovingly call them “Door Darters,” and we take extra precautions at our adoption center to make sure they stay safe. But a missing pet isn’t always a cat who went looking for adventure. Sometimes life just happens. A startled leap when a contractor shows up, a door left open during a busy morning, a thunderstorm that sends them scrambling. However it happened, we know how frightening it is, and we want to help you bring your companion home.

Time matters, so don’t wait. Here’s what to do:

Start searching immediately. The sooner you begin, the better your chances. Walk your neighborhood and the area where your pet was last seen, and let your neighbors know who they’re looking for.

Use their senses to guide them back. Leave their litterbox outside near your door. Their own scent is one of the most powerful things you can use to help them find their way home.

Search smart, not just during the day. Call your pet’s name and check any spots they could have gotten trapped, like basements, garages, or under vehicles. Lost and frightened cats often go into hiding during daylight hours, so go back out at night with a flashlight. You may find them when the neighborhood quiets down.

Bring food. A can of their favorite food can go a long way toward coaxing a scared, hungry cat out of hiding.

Check your microchip paperwork. Make sure your contact information is current. If you adopted from us, we handled your pet’s initial microchip registration and gave you everything you need to keep it up to date. If you’re unsure of your chip provider, check your adoption paperwork or call us and we’ll help you figure it out.

Visit local shelters in person, every day. Don’t rely on phone calls alone. Shelter staff are doing their best, but a face-to-face visit gives you the chance to search yourself. Check with every animal control agency in your town and surrounding areas at least every two days, as animal control officers regularly pick up strays and bring them in.

Cast a wide digital net. Post on local Facebook lost and found pet groups, and use the Nextdoor app to alert your immediate neighbors. These communities are incredibly responsive when a pet is missing.

Use national locator services. These free resources connect people who have found pets with people who are searching:

Put up flyers. Use a clear, recent photo and post signs in your neighborhood and at post offices, libraries, pet supply stores, vet offices, and grocery stores. If you create a PawBoost account, they’ll generate a flyer for you automatically. Don’t forget to notify your vet and groomer directly so they’re on alert if someone calls in a found cat.

Watch the “found” ads closely. A week outside can change a cat’s appearance dramatically. A white cat may look dingy gray. Read every description carefully and respond to anything that could be a match, even if it’s not a perfect fit.

You don’t have to do this alone. We’re here for you.

Helpful Numbers If Your Pet Goes Missing

If you have questions or need support, please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.