Lost & (Hopefully) Found: How to Find a Cat

This week we’ve had a welcomed mini heat wave in Chicago. It’s sad to admit, but after several weeks of downpours and 50-degree days, a sunny 75-degree day seems like perfection.

It’s enough for anyone to forget their cares. But it’s times like these when we, as pet owners, need to be especially watchful of our pets. Leaving a window screen up or keeping the front door open for longer than necessary can result in a lost pet — something you’d never want to happen, especially on a beautiful day.

But the sad fact is that when the weather becomes nicer, the number of lost pet fliers dramatically increases across town. The fliers posted on the door to the left are only a few that my shelter has put up. It’s heartbreaking, because we always see the posters go up — never come down.

However, things don’t need to be hopeless.

Here are some tips and tricks to find your Max, Patches or Smokey:

• Double-check: Do you just think your cat may have ran out of your home, or did you actually see it? Do a quick check around your home to make sure.

• Work Quickly: An indoor cat isn’t safe outdoors, especially a special needs cat. She won’t have the skills or savvy to know how to survive outside, especially when it comes to larger predators, cars and animal control.

Photo courtesy Tulane Publications

• Staying Close: Odds are your cat is probably closer than you think. Cats are extremely territorial, so she’ll want to stay close to home. However, since she’s terrified and in unknown territory, don’t expect her to come to you, no matter how close your bond. She’ll probably seek shelter (under a deck, bush, etc), and she won’t meow.

• Post Simple Fliers: Think minimally. Put “LOST” above a clear, color photo of just your pet, with your phone number and an alternative below. Make sure the photo is clear and recent — and again, in color. Black and white photos are fine, but they’re hardly accurate. You want someone to immediately recognize your cat. In addition, don’t include any other information on the poster. And when putting them up around town, don’t be stingy on the number of staples you use. Put a good number along each edge. This will make sure they’re not torn down. If possible, laminate the fliers — especially if bad weather is coming.

• Offering a Reward is Useless: You don’t want to put a dollar sign on your cat’s head. If someone does see your cat, he may not report the sighting in hopes that he’ll be able to catch her. And you certainly don’t want him chasing your cat, which could terrify her even more.

• Get Some Help: Share your fliers with your neighbors (all around your home — on your block and behind you, too), and ask them to keep an eye out for your kitty. Odds are your cat will stay in the area, so you’ll want as many eyes watching for her as possible. If you’re friends with these neighbors, clue them in on ways they can help you catch your cat. (Give them a can of her favorite food, etc.)