Searching for a Lost Cat
When you don’t know where your cat is, the resulting worry and stress can be terrible. There are a number of recommended ways we can prevent this kind of situation, including never letting the cat outside; securing all windows and doors; securely sequestering the cat during times when delivery or maintenance people are entering and exiting the home; providing a comfortable, safe, and enriching living environment; and having the cat neutered or spayed. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, accidents happen and an escape occurs. For this #WiseWednesday, we want to go over some important points about searching for a lost cat.
Tip 1: Actively and repeatedly search right away
This is the most important of all responses, and it is going to take work involving late nights or early mornings. The biggest mistake often made is waiting for the cat to just come back on their own and/or relying on passive interventions. While flyers and posters are definitely helpful, they are absolutely not enough. You’re the one the cat will most likely respond to, and the one most invested in getting the cat back safely. While some cats do eventually find their way back on their own, most do not come back without a good deal of effort on behalf of their guardians.
Tip 2: Search method varies; house cat vs. outdoor cat
There is a significant difference in the type of search depending on if the cat has escaped or if the cat has some familiarity with the outdoor location. Cats who escape, especially for the first time, will almost always immediately hide and remain very near to the home. The search should focus on very nearby places to hide, and cats can often be retrieved by calling late at night when the area is quiet. Cats with some familiarity with the outdoor area will explore more confidently and will go further out. This kind of search will be more difficult, and there are more hazards that the cat can encounter while lost. It’s very important to look for buildings that can have been left open then closed, and to get as near to them as possible in order to listen and call. Search under bushes and in hiding places where the cat may have crawled to hide after an injury.
Tip 3: Talk with neighbors and contact animal control
While there are very few shelters to contact when a cat is missing in Japan, there are people who pick up cats for various reasons. Some people want them removed and relocated from roaming in their yards, and others might think that any friendly outdoor cat needs to be rescued right away. It’s important to talk with neighbors to get more information on who in the area might be helping or keeping a large number of cats. Animal Control does not actively go out to pick up stray cats in Japan, as unlike dogs, cats are not considered a public safety issue. However, the general public can surrender cats at animal control centers or police stations. Many animal control centers will only hold onto animals for a limited amount of time, so it’s important to at least file a report about a missing pet right away.
Tip 4: Reach out to those who can help
Contact the rescue group the cat originally came from immediately, as they can advise and may be able to provide support. Waiting valuable days to make contact will only make the stressful situation that much worse. The group might be able to recommend an experienced trapper to help set and monitor a trap, or suggest a way to borrow a trap so that you can try carrying that out yourself. Traps must always be monitored very carefully to prevent theft of the trap, as well as to prevent any cat from remaining in a trap too long and/or in a location where passersby could cause harm. In addition, if other cats in the area are mistakenly trapped, releasing them without spay/neuter could mean that they will be very difficult to trap again in future. Tracking down and talking with local feeders of community cats can be good, as feeders might be able to help keep an eye out. Finally, there are Pet Detective services that can be called in. These are generally very expensive, with high daily rates and a minimum number of days required, regardless of when the animal might be found.
Tip 5: Learn from the experience
The most important aspect for avoiding most problems is prevention. You can’t go back and change what has happened but you can go forward differently from now. Even in cases of quick recovery, take any loss very seriously and act accordingly with prevention strategies. Secure your home and be sure that your cat has identifiable information, such as a microchip. Chips are not location devices and they are not yet as actively checked in Japan. But, they are still worthwhile. If the cat inevitably cannot be recovered, after really doing your best, determine to use prevention strategies for any future cats you might care for. Feelings of loss and regret are very difficult emotions to cope with. Reach out to support groups or to fellow cat carers who understand how you feel and can listen.
Having a suddenly lost cat is heartbreaking, and when a cat comes from a rescue group, the guardians are not the only persons impacted by the loss. Every volunteer who has devoted time and love to the animal will feel sad and become stressed when they learn a formerly rescued cat is in danger. The responsible actions taken by guardians can go a long way towards not only retrieving a lost cat successfully, but also helping to reduce the stress and concern impacting people working hard to help animals.
For more information about searching for a lost cat, check out the following articles and resources: