While it’s normal to panic if your cat goes missing, your best plan of action is to take a deep breath and make plans to find them immediately.

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When you realise you haven’t heard the familiar meow signalling that your cat is ready for dinnertime, or felt their furry little body rubbing up against your legs in a while, it’s only human to fret. But before you work yourself up into a complete state, take a deep breath – the key to managing this situation is to have a plan and remain as calm as possible. The following strategies may see you reunited with your feline faster than you anticipated.

1. Check if your cat is hiding

Cats notoriously cram themselves in the weirdest nooks and crannies, so you’ll need to search your entire house for them. Calmly call out your cat’s name and shake their dry food as you methodically look everywhere for them – garages, wardrobes, inside cupboards, under beds, behind furniture, under shrubs, up trees. Enlist the help of your family, housemates, and neighbours.

2. Ensure your details are current in the microchip register

Microchips are a really great resource when it comes to reuniting lost cats with their owners. If your cat is microchipped and your details aren’t current, make sure you update them immediately as a vet or someone from your local council or pound may be trying to contact you.

3. Who to contact:

  • Local council: a ranger may have picked up your cat
  • Local vets
  • Animal shelters and pounds in your region: this is best done in person so that you can identify your cat

4. Create awareness

  • Make a flyer and distribute it around your neighbourhood. Include a recent photograph of your cat, your cat’s name, a description of what they look like, when and where they were last seen, and your name and phone number. It’s up to you whether you want to include a reward.
  • Place a notice in the ‘lost and found’ section of your local paper.
  • Use social media like Facebook and Twitter to post about your missing cat. Ask your friends to share your posts.

5. Go back to your previous house

If you have recently moved house, try searching your old residence. Put up flyers and notify any neighbours there too.

6. Leave some supplies outside

Just in case your cat returns while you’re at work (or asleep), leave some water and food outside so that they’re looked after until you return. Hopefully, your cat will return and greet you by bumping against your legs in the afternoon!

Top tip: Be persistent – it’s worth visiting your local animal shelters and pounds at least every six days to check whether your cat has been found.