Cat gone missing – What to do? Your comprehensive guide
It is every cat owner's nightmare when their beloved pet disappears. With every hour that passes, the fear grows that the cat will never return home safely. This guide offers you comprehensive steps and tips to help you find your missing cat quickly and safely.
1. Keep calm
Before you begin your search, it's important to remain calm. Panic can cause you to make rash decisions. Take a deep breath and plan your search systematically. A calm approach will increase your chances of successfully finding your cat.
2. Possible reasons for going missing
Cats may leave their homes for a variety of reasons:
- Startle response to loud noises: A loud bang or other sudden noise may startle your cat and cause them to hide.
- Hiding in neighbourhood properties: Your cat may hide in a neighbour's basement or shed and accidentally become trapped.
- Curiosity and exploration: Cats are naturally curious and may go on an extended wander through the neighbourhood, but often return after a period of time.
3. Search the area
Start your search systematically in your immediate area:
Inside the house and apartment: Search all possible hiding places such as cupboards, boxes, drawers, basements, sheds and garages.
Outside: Look in trees, bushes, hedges and parked cars. Use noise-making toys or treats to attract your cat.
Consider your cat's behaviour: If your cat is more timid or injured, they may hide during the day and only become active in the evening.
4. Ask your neighbours
Expand your search radius by:
- approaching your neighbours: inform your neighbours about your cat's disappearance and ask them to check their basements, sheds and other hiding places.
- sharing information: pass on a description of your cat and your contact details so that neighbours can inform you directly if they see your cat.
5. Search at night
Many cats feel safer in the evening and at night because there is less noise and fewer people around. This may be especially true for skittish or injured cats. Use dusk and night hours to search specifically for your cat.
6. Cat runs away after moving
Moving can be particularly stressful for cats because they are strongly attached to their territory. Follow these steps:
Keep your outdoor cat indoors for several weeks: Leave your outdoor cat in the new home for several weeks until it has accepted the new territory.
Include the old territory in the search: If your cat should nevertheless escape, search the old territory, put up search posters and inform the police and animal shelters in the old place of residence.
Inform your landlord and any new tenants: Inform any new tenants and your previous landlord that your cat has gone missing.
7. Create posters
Posters are an effective way of publicising the search for your cat. Be sure to include the following information on the poster:
- Name of the cat
- Place and date of loss
- Photo of the cat
- Coat colour and distinguishing features
- Your contact details
- Please note: Check with your city or municipality about the rules for posting missing posters to avoid fines.
8. Contact TASSO
TASSO (The Animal Search and Rescue Service) offers a 24-hour missing person's report for cats:
File a missing persons report: Use the 24-hour emergency number, the online form or the app to report your missing cat.
Chip number and contact details: If your cat is chipped and has already been registered with TASSO, this will make recovery much easier.
9. Inform the relevant authorities
To increase the chances of finding your cat, notify the following:
Police and local authorities: Report your cat as missing to the authorities.
Animal shelters and vets: Contact local animal shelters, vets and clinics to alert them to your missing cat.
Road maintenance depots and building yards: Ask them to check if your cat has been run over.
10. Place a missing person's report
Use suchen.expert to place a missing person's report:
- Detailed information: Provide exact information about the location and time of the loss and a detailed description of your cat.
- Photo of the cat: An up-to-date photo increases the chances of someone recognising your cat.
Contact details: Make sure your contact details are clearly visible.
11. Use social media
Also spread the word about your missing cat on social media:
Facebook groups and local forums: Share your advert in relevant groups and forums.
Instagram and Twitter: Use hashtags such as #missingcat or #catmissing to get more exposure.
12. Further measures for the search
Regular checks: Visit animal shelters and police stations regularly in person to check on the situation.
Offer a reward: A reward can increase people's motivation to help you with the search.
- Do night-time walks: Sometimes cats are more active at night. A night-time walk with a torch can help.
13. Preventative measures to avoid escapes
To avoid future losses, follow these tips:
- Secure environment: Make sure that all doors and windows are secured so that your cat cannot inadvertently escape.
Identification: Always have your cat identified, e.g. with a microchip or identification tag.
Castration/sterilisation: Neutered or sterilised cats are less likely to expand their territory.
Restrict access after moving: Keep outdoor cats indoors for a while after moving so that they can get used to their new surroundings.
Conclusion
Your cat going missing is a stressful and frightening situation, but by taking the right steps and methods, you can increase the chances of quickly finding your beloved cat. Stay calm, act systematically and use all available resources, including platforms like suchen.expert. Remember to act immediately to prevent abuse and to ensure your cat's mobility.
The displayed information comes from publicly available sources and was last updated on 20/10/23. All retrievable content and explanations are non-binding and do not constitute legal advice. The Suchen Expert platform does not guarantee and is not liable for the accuracy or completeness of the published information.
