What to do if you have Lost, or Found a Cat • Local Lost & Found Registers • National Lost & Found Registers

3 Ways to minimise the risk of losing your Cat: >> 1. Neuter >> 2. Microchip >> 3. Safety Collar

»»» FOUND A CAT? - What to do: »» Click here for advice
»»» REGIONAL Lost & Found REGISTERS: »» Click Here
»»» NATIONAL Lost & Found REGISTERS: »» Click Here

»»» LOST A CAT? - Here’s what to do...

First, don’t panic too soon - cats often go ‘missing’ and then arrive home late, or even the next morning, wondering what all the fuss is about. So, give them a few hours at least before you take action, then print off this page so you can tick off each item as you cover it.

Action Point 1 - First, check all these places:

• every room in your house / loft / cellar / all cupboards
• behind curtains / under duvets / behind settees / under beds
• washing machine / dishwasher / tumble drier / oven / microwave
• chimneys / dustbin / water butt / compost bin / sheds / garages
• green houses / outside toilets/ vehicles / Gardens / hedgerows
• ask neighbours to check their sheds, garages etc.

Action Point 2 - Make a list of the following details...

• the cats name, age and colouring
• when and where your cat was last seen
• length of hair - long or short
• any distinguishing features - white paws, striped tail etc.
• male or female?
• neutered or entire?
• were they wearing a collar, if so, what colour?
• is he/she microchipped?
• a photograph if possible, (people remember photos better than descriptions)

And give those details to:

• If your cat is microchipped, call Petlog: 0870 6066 751 so they can flag your cat as missing. They are open 24 hours a day, and also give advice. Every vet and rescue know their number and they are nearly always the first port of call when they find a lost animal.
• local vets (all practices in your area, not just your own vet), for details of vets in your area go to: www.any-uk-vet.co.uk
• police station
• local schools
• your local animal rescue organisations ~ for contact details of rescues in your area go to our: Shelters Pages
• lost & found registers and websites ~ details at the bottom of this page
• postman, milkman, window cleaner
• local newspaper (lost & found sections)
• local television
• local catteries
• local radio (they often broadcast lost & found appeals)
• the RSPCA helpline, as they match up lost & found cats across the UK : 0300 1234 999
• N.B. the earlier you report your cat missing, the more likely that he/she will be found

Action Point 3 - Pounding the streets

• PLEASE NOTE, if you are under 18 years of age, do NOT go looking for your cat alone after dark, preferably take a friend with you and go in daylight hours
• walk around your local area, paying particular attention to any garages, lock-ups or empty houses
• call for your pet by name (you may feel daft at first, but this often works)
• shaking a box of his favourite biscuits, or squeezing a favourite squeaky toy may help
• stop regularly and listen ~ give your cat a chance to answer your call
• stay in one area long enough for your pet to reach you if he is in the vicinity

Action Point 4 - Advertise

• IMPORTANT NOTE: if you are under 18 years of age, do NOT distribute leaflets alone after dark, preferably take a friend with you and go in daylight hours
• post them through every door in your immediate area
• display at: post offices, supermarkets, pet shops, vets, library, launderette, hairdressers, pubs
• and at: newsagents, fish & chip shops, corner shops, garages, doctors, dentists, police station
• don't forget to check local shop windows for a 'Cat Found' notice, just in case!
• on notice boards in halls such as scouts, brownies, playgroups, youth clubs, social clubs
• tie or tape leaflets to telegraph poles, lamp posts, phone boxes, bus shelters and letter boxes
• also display one on your own front gate
• offer a reward if you can - don't state an amount, just say 'substantial reward'. Even if it is a small amount to you, it might be a large sum to another person or child

Other Suggestions:

• show the photo to dog walkers, lillipop persons, traffic wardens, road sweepers
• check Lost & Found section in local newspapers for ‘found’ adverts
• post details on our forum under 'Lost & Found' »» the Cat Chat Forum
• contact your local council’s Environmental Health Department. This can be a difficult call to make, but they will be able to tell you if a cat matching your description has been found killed on the road. Unfortunately as far as we are aware, councils have no facility for checking for microchips, so they will not contact you in this circumstance.
• Animal Search UK have produced a video offering advice on what to do next in the event that your cat should go missing »» Finding a Lost Pet
• if you feel particularly spiritually connected to your cat, you may like to try some visualization techniques, employed by some animal communicators. This is still quite a new and little understood area, and will not appeal to everyone, however if you think this is something you would like to try, print off the following PDF written by a practising communicator »» Lost cat visualization PDF

Check National and Regional Lost & Found resources for corresponding ‘cat found’ notices:

REGIONAL LOST & FOUND REGISTERS - Click Here
NATIONAL LOST & FOUND REGISTERS - Click Here

The 'I've found your cat' phone call:

This is SO IMPORTANT - if you are under 18 years of age, and someone calls saying they have found your cat, do NOT go to see the cat on your own under ANY circumstances. Take an adult with you - and a cat carrier of course! (In fact it is a good idea not to go alone, whatever age you are.)

And finally... don't give up hope

And when your cat comes home:

After you’ve made a big fuss of him/her and given them their favourite dinner, please remember to inform any authorities who have been asked to look for them, and retrieve the posters you distributed round town!
To minimise any chance of losing them again, please remember 1. Neuter >> 2. Microchip >> 3. Safety Collar

»»» FOUND A CAT? - Here’s what to do...

• If the cat will let you approach him, make up a paper collar with a note on saying: "If this is your cat please call this number...", so that you can ascertain whether the cat is definitely stray. Place it round the cat's neck and secure the two ends with a small piece of seloptape (don't put selotape right round the whole thing as that can be dangerous if the cat gets caught up anywhere). If no-one calls in 24 hours you can be fairly sure it is most likely lost or stray, then proceed as follows...
• if the cat is hungry, please feed it, and make water available, not cows milk (many cats and kittens are lactose intolerant)
• If you cannot take it into your home, please make sure there is some shelter for it outside, which is dry and waterproof. This can be as simple as a cardboard box covered with a bin liner or clingfilm, and weighted down against the wind, or tucked under a bush for stability. Ideal bedding to put inside is a thick layer of straw, which acts as a heat-conserving 'nest'. If straw is not readily available, a jumper or towel will do, but this will need to be changed regularly as these retain moisture and can encourage mold or mildew.
• contact your local animal rescue groups, in case they have been reported as lost - contact details for rescues across the UK appear on our: Shelters Pages
• give the cat's description to local vets in case the owner contacts them, and if possible, take the cat to a vet who will check for a microchip - for details of vets in your area go to: www.any-uk-vet.co.uk
• phone the RSPCA helpline to register the cat's details, as they match up lost & found cats across the UK: 0300 1234 999
• check the lost & found notices in your local paper
• post details on our forum under 'Lost & Found' »» the Cat Chat Forum
• make up a small notice saying 'Cat Found' with a description, which can be displayed in local newsagents, shops etc. It is a good idea not to give a full description of the cat, so that if someone contacts you saying the cat belongs to them, you can check those extra details with them to know if they are the genuine owners, and not just someone after a ‘free cat’
• if the owner cannot be traced, and you are not able to take the cat in yourself, contact your local rescue centre as above, so that they can arrange to take the cat into care, and find him or her a new home

Check National and Regional Lost & Found resources for corresponding ‘cat lost’ notices:

REGIONAL LOST & FOUND REGISTERS - Click Here
NATIONAL LOST & FOUND REGISTERS - Click Here