Lost and Found Pets

Cats are notorious for hiding in impossible places. Before you assume kitty is missing, make a thorough search indoors, around the porch, garage and yards armed with a flashlight and the tastiest, smelliest treats. Yes, some cats leave home for whatever reason and don't want to be found. Try anyway. The stats for lost cats returning home without intervention are about 2%. The odds are improved by having a microchip, City of Oshawa licence and wearing a collar and tag.

Don't waste time. If you know your cat is missing, grab your cell phone with a photo of your cat uploaded, flashlight and treats and head out. Wear comfortable clothes and comfortable soft-soled shoes. Don't panic. Breathe, try to be calm and think like a cat.

• If you were a cat where would you go? Begin around your house and spread out to the immediate neighbours on all sides.
• Where does your cat normally head?
• What is the most likely escape route?
• What are their favourite bushes or hiding spots? Crouch low under porches, scan high on roof lines and tree branches.
• Could something have recently happened to spook them?
• Construction or a new neighbour's cat or dog?
• Or has anything happened recently in your home to upset them; like the chemicals from getting your carpets cleaned or bringing out suitcases for a trip?

While you're searching, ask pedestrians, knock on neighbour's doors and show the photo. Ask if you can check their garage, sheds, under the porch. This is no time to be shy. To save time, multi-task during the search: leave a missing cat report with your vet, Service Oshawa, all the other local vets, shelters and rescue groups.

• Enlist family and friends to help post flyers and spread the word. Have push pins, tape and a staple gun depending on the surface. The best posting spots include street intersection poles, local bulletin boards at grocery stores, library, laundromat and community center.
• Post missing cats reports online and use social networking like Facebook (Durham Region Lost and Found Cats) and Twitter. Ask everyone to share.
• Visit all your local shelters even if say they don't have a cat of your description.
• If you've recently moved, extend your search to your old neighbourhood.

If you haven't already made a missing cat poster, make one. It doesn't have to be fancy but make sure the words "Lost Cat" are large enough to be visible from a passing vehicle or pedestrian. Luckily most of us have a gazillion photos of our cats of. Choose or crop a large close-up showing details of the face and another photo showing the entire body, ideally standing up.  If you're not computer savvy, you can glue a photo on a piece of paper and use a marker to write the text by hand. Colour photos are preferable especially if your cat has a unique colour or markings.

Copies printed on neon bright paper show well and use plastic page covers in case of rain. Include: your cat's name, description, any special identifying marks or collar, when last seen and where (cross street), your phone and e-mail but for security reasons not your name, address or amount of reward in case you are offering one. Also add contact info at the bottom of the page cut into four or five vertical strips that can be easily torn  off.

When you return home, leave food and water outside your door. Fearful cats will often slink out after dark. Leaving a baby monitor near the food may detect faint meows. Local Trap, Neuter, Release rescues will often lend a trap. Using their suggestions, set up a trap. Be prepared, you may trap a raccoon or other cat. Go outside one last time to check and call your cat's name before bedtime.

Cats have returned weeks and months later. Keep networking, and asking neighbours if they've noticed anything. Keep your flyers or posters fresh with a "Still Missing" header.