• Home
  • About
    • Privacy
    • Resources for Cat Lovers
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
  • Articles
    • Cat Health
    • Cat Safety
  • Quotes About Cats
  • Posters & Prints
    • Siamese Cat Posters
    • Black Cat Posters
    • Kitten Posters
    • Big Cat Posters and Art Prints

Cat Pause

Cat Toys, Gift Ideas for Cat Lovers, Cat Furniture...

  • Cat Health
  • Cat Safety
  • Cat Furniture
    • Cat Beds
    • Cat Houses
    • Cat Trees
    • Scratching Posts
  • Cat Shop
    • Cat Food
    • Cat Toys
    • Pictures of Cats
  • The Pampered Pet
  • For the Cat Lover
    • Cat Art Prints
    • Gifts for Cat Lovers
    • Salt & Pepper Shakers
    • Humor
    • Cat Videos
  • Personal
    • Adam
    • Alexa
    • Bo
    • Bullet
    • Carly
    • Fatima
    • Janie
    • Hannah
    • Jelly Bean
    • Ming Li
    • Peanut Butter
    • Prissy
    • Svenn
You are here: Home / Articles / Cat Health / 10 Things to Do if Your Pet is Lost

10 Things to Do if Your Pet is Lost

July 11, 2014 By Joi

I may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This costs you absolutely no extra money (of course), it simply allows me to maintain the lifestyle my cats are accustomed to!

July is Lost Pet Prevention, which is something I’m excited about. Lost pet signs always make me feel like crying. As someone who loves her cats like they’re family (which they are, of course), the thought of anyone helplessly searching for their furry little loved one breaks my heart.  Been there, done that, and hope to never walk in those shoes again.

Below is a great article that was generously shared with Cat Pause’s readers.  I hope with all my heart you’ll never need the advice, but here it is, just in case.  In honor of the month, I’m currently working on an article, “Ways to Keep Your Pet From Ending Up in the Lost and Found!” which I’ll post asap.

Even if your pets are safe and secure, read the article because the advice is priceless – and even if you never, personally, need it, you may one day know someone who will.  I would add posting on Facebook and Twitter to #6.  Bottom line is you want to put as many animal lovers on the case as possible. My youngest daughter and I once spent a couple of hours on a hot summer afternoon looking for a lost dog for someone. Fortunately the little cutie was found – dirty, exhausted, and greatly relieved to see his family!

I’d also add this: when looking for your cat or dog, having one person in the car and one or more walking is ideal. Most pets actually know the sound of the family car and (especially dogs) may respond to it as quickly as they will the sound of your voice.  Also, walk slowly as you call – giving them time to respond. Cats, especially, go through quite a “thought process” before making a move.

10 Things to Do if Your Pet is Lost

Nearly one in five lost pets goes missing after being scared by the sound of fireworks, thunderstorms or other loud noises, according to a survey by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. And, while losing your pet can be a traumatic experience for both you and your pet, have hope as 93% of dogs and 75% of cats reported lost are returned safely to their homes according to another survey.

If you do lose your pet, here are 10 top tips to help reunite you with your furry friend as quickly as possible:

  1. Contact or visit your local shelters and animal control organizations. File a lost pet report with every shelter, dog pound and animal control office within a 60-mile radius of your home and visit the nearest shelters daily, if possible.
  2. Get the word out to all veterinarians in the area. Sometimes people pick up a stray and drive it to a distant clinic.
  3. Search your neighborhood. Walk or drive through your neighborhood several times each day. Enlist friends, family and others to help you. Ask neighbors, letter carriers, and delivery people if they have seen your pet. Hand out a recent photograph of your pet and information on how you can be reached if your pet is found.
  4. Go door to door and speak with your neighbors. The more people know you have lost a pet, and that you are upset, worried and desperately trying to find your pet, the more people will call you if they see an animal in the woods or on the road, or in their backyard.
  5. Place posters and flyers throughout the neighborhood. Post notices at grocery stores, community centers, veterinary offices, traffic intersections, at pet supply stores, and other locations. Also, place advertisements in newspapers and with radio stations. Include your pet’s sex, age, weight, breed, color, and any special markings. To avoid scams, when describing your pet, leave out one identifying characteristic and ask the person who finds your pet to describe it.
  6. Post info about your pet on all pet recovery websites and services. Sites such as Craigslist.org, TheCenterForLostPets.com and FidoFinder.com allow you to broadcast your missing pet info quickly. National pet care providers can be hired to assist you in your search for your lost pet.
  7. Consider using a lost pet recovery service. There are now numerous lost pet alert services, such as FindToto.com, that will contact homes, veterinarians, shelters and animal control organizations for a reasonable fee.
  8. Place food and water outside your home. Your pet may eventually return to your home when they get hungry or thirsty. Consider placing the food in a rented or purchased humane pet trap to capture them.
  9. Tell everyone you see about your pet and ask them to keep their eyes open for her. The more people you alert about your missing pet, the greater the chance someone will recollect seeing your pet in their area.
  10. Don’t give up. Be aggressive in your search, get lots of help, get the word out right away – don’t wait a few hours “to see if she’ll come home on her own “– you need those early hours to put up posters and start your search.

About the Author: Paul Mann is the Founder the CEO of Fetch! Pet Care—the nation’s largest and most trusted franchisor for professional pet sitting, dog walking, and pet fitness/exercise services—serving thousands of pets and pet parents throughout the United States from coast to coast. He may be reached online at: www.FetchPetCare.com.

Filed Under: Cat Health, Cat Safety, We Love Dogs Too Tagged With: how to find your lost pet, lost pets, what to do when your pet is lost


Christmas Gift Guide 2022!

Christmas Gift Guide for Cats and Cat Lovers 2022

Christmas 2022 Gift Ideas for Cats and Cat Lovers

Welcome to Your Cat’s Favorite Blog!

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and, simply put, cats make my world go round! Please e-mail me with any questions regarding the cat blog.

Disclaimer: As someone who works full-time from home, I use affiliate links when posting about cat furniture, toys, litter boxes, etc. I make a small amount of money each time someone clicks through and purchases a product they see on my blog. This costs you absolutely no extra money whatsoever. It simply allows me to provide my cats with the lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to!

You NEED This Book!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Cats

Chicken Soup for the Soul’s wonderfully entertaining and inspirational The Magic of Cats. My oldest daughter, Emily, has a story about one of my grandcats (“Eddie”) in this collection!

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Gorgeous Cat Tree!

Cat Tree

New on the Cat Blog

  • Adorable (and FUN!) Flapping and Chirping Duck Catnip Toy for Cats.
  • Automatic Cat Toy: Cats Lose Their Minds for These!
  • Rocket Cat Tunnel Tower (How Cute is This?!?!)
  • Cat Measuring Spoons: Great Gift Idea for Cat Lovers who Love to Cook
  • Christmas Gift Guide for Cats and Cat Lovers 2022: A Round-Up of Gift Ideas for Cats AND Their Humans!
  • Gorgeous, Deliciously Unique Cat Tree With “Nest Beds”
  • Machine Washable Donut-Shaped Cat Bed, Inexpensive and Gorgeous!
  • Adorable Japanese Style Tea Kettle for Cat Lovers

MinJee

Beautiful “MinJee”
We have inside and outside cats and we love them all like family. The beauty, above, is MinJee and she is as sweet as she is gorgeous.

If the spoiled inside crew would allow it, needless to say they’d ALL be inside. As it is, our outside cats have their own custom-built wooden homes and penthouses and, yes, they are all equipped with heating pads for the cold months.

We also feed and care for feral cats. Some honor us by following us home and allowing us to give them a forever home and to, more importantly, be their forever family.

#1 Best-Seller on Amazon


The Curious Cat Cube, Cat House / Cat Condo is currently the #1 Best-Seller on Amazon in Cat Houses & Condos.

An Ingenious Litter Box…


The Open Top Cat Litter Box Kit with Shield and Scoop is a number 1 best-seller on Amazon and has excellent reviews.

Christmas EVERYDAY!


If you're like me, you love nothing more than seeing your cat(s) with new toys. This collection of cat toys will make everyday feel like Christmas!

Cat Tunnel..


The adorable cat tunnel will give your cat(s) endless fun as they explore every nook and cranny!

Photographs on the Blog

I do not claim to have taken all of the photographs on this website. I did not take any of the “product” or “affiliate” merchandise photos  (unless I am reviewing a product, in which case it will be marked “Review”), nor do I claim to own them. If you are a photographer that sees something you want removed, simply e-mail me.

Keep Your Indoor Cat Active and Entertained

Alexa

Tips for Keeping Your Indoor Cat Entertained!

Copyright Cat-Pause 2020