My cat has gone missing - what do I do now?

Your cat going missing can be an extremely upsetting time and you may not know where to start looking for them. Co-op Insurance colleague Azra, recently experienced her beloved cat Betty going missing for 3 days. Luckily this story has a happy ending, with Betty coming home after having accidentally been shut in a neighbour’s kitchen cupboard! Azra has kindly shared her top tips on what to do if you’re worried about a missing kitty.

Don’t panic

It can be difficult, but it’s important to not think the worst and jump to conclusions. Cats are very clever animals. Their sense of smell, sight and hearing is far better than ours and they have survival instincts. There’s a good chance your cat is somewhere near your home and could reappear soon. It might just take some searching.

Search locally

Cats often don’t venture too far and research shows that most missing cats are found within 500 metres of where they were lost. Ask your neighbours to check their homes and gardens and to keep an eye out. Get them to check sheds, garages and any other potential hiding spots.

Ask the postie

No one does as many steps around your neighbourhood as your local postie, show them pictures of your cat and let them know to keep an eye out.

Community groups

Join and post in local community groups on Facebook, these posts can sometimes cover an entire neighbourhood.

Put posters up

Put posters up in hot spots such as local newsagents, takeaways and bus stops and post them through neighbour’s doors. Ensure your poster has a clear picture of your cat that highlights any unique markings and include a contactable phone number (switch your phone to loud mode so you don’t miss any calls). Some pet insurance will cover the costs of printing posters, so check your policy.

Think about your cat’s personality

Use what you know about your cat to help decide where to start your search. Betty is a timid and shy cat who loves to hide in small spaces in the home. She’s not an explorer, so I was confident she wouldn’t have gone far. If your cat is more on the brave side, maybe base your search in open areas such as fields/local allotments and alleyways.

Tempt them home

Cats have an excellent homing instinct, meaning they often can find their way back home after they’ve had their adventure. Tips to encourage them to come home include:

• leave your cat’s favourite toy or some of their unwashed bedding in the garden
• leave an unwashed item of your clothing, which will have your scent on it
• place any used litter from your cat’s litter tray outside, or perhaps the contents of your hoover for a smell of home
• call out for your cat in the garden early in the morning or late at night, when everywhere is likely to be quieter
• shake a box of their favourite biscuits or treats
• keep calling your cat, leaving enough time for them to hear you, and be led home

Alert authorities

Report your lost pet to local animal shelters and ask if there are other nearby groups that might have found your cat. If your cat has a microchip, notify the microchip company to flag your cat as lost.

Remember, as of 10 June 2024 it is a legal requirement for cats in England to be microchipped by the age of 20 weeks.

Don’t give up

And lastly, if you’re reading this and find yourself in a similar position, don’t give up hope. On the search for Betty we heard so many stories of cats going missing for long periods of time and then strolling back home like nothing had happened. It was really uplifting when we heard these positive stories, that ranged from 3 days to even 3 weeks!