Introduction

Losing a cat can be a very distressing experience; and finding a homeless cat wandering around can sometimes be distressing too, particularly if the found cat is injured, perhaps from a road traffic accident. We therefore offer a free Lost and Found service for Bedford and the surrounding area (postcodes MK40 - MK45 and SG15 -SG18, and part of SG19), whereby we keep a register of all cats reported to us as lost or found, and try to re-unite them with their owner.

Reducing the Risks

The single best thing you can do to avoid losing your cat is to ensure that your cat carries suitable identification. A microchip can be very useful - vets can read them, and we also have a microchip reader. It is also worth considering a collar of some kind, complete with up to date identity tag.

What To Do if You Lose a Cat

There are several steps you can take which increase your chances of finding your cat again:

1. Firstly, thoroughly search your own home and garden. Look under cupboards, in drawers, in washing machines, behind sofas, in boxes. Even if you think the space is too small for a cat, look anyway - you would be surprised what small spaces cats can squeeze themselves into - we have had quite a few cases where people have found their cat stuck inside a drawer.
2. Check your own garden and garages and sheds thoroughly, and also those of your neighbours - don't forget to look under cars.
3. Tell all your neighbours and regular visitors such as the postman and milkman.
4. Contact all local veterinary surgeries in case your cat has been injured and taken to a vet for treatment.
5. Tell the police, and all local animal charities and shelters.
6. Advertise - put notices up in local shops, advertise in your local newspaper, tell your local cattery.
7. If your lost cat uses a litter tray, place some litter, preferably soiled, on your doorstep - this can sometimes help the cat find his or her way home.
8. Check the Animal Search website to see if your cat is on it.
9. Contact Pet Search to see if they can help.

What To Do if You Find a Cat

1. Firstly, are you quite sure the cat is lost? We have had a few unfortunate instances of cats being scooped up by well-meaning people when in fact they only live a few doors away! Please make a few enquiries locally before fearing the worst.
2. If the cat is injured, please take it to the nearest vet as soon as possible. For cats who appear healthy, please contact all local veterinary surgeries in case the cat is a patient who is known to them.
3. Place notices in local shops, and advertise in your local paper - advertising found cats is usually free.
4. Tell the police, and all local animal charities and shelters. 
5. Tell all your neighbours and regular visitors such as the postman and milkman.
6. Check the Animal Search website to see if the cat is on it.
7. Contact Pet Search to see if they can help.
8. If you wish the cat to be taken off your hands, please note that we may not be able to take the cat in from you immediately or in every case - we have a finite number of pens and cannot take in every cat reported to us. Please consider feeding the cat (not doing so will not make the cat go away, it will simply result in a starving, sick cat), and if required we will see if we can find a home for it while you care for it. Although this may take some time, it is a great help for us when people are prepared to work with us in this way. 

Reporting a Cat to Us

If you would like to report a lost or found cat, please contact us. Please remember, we only cover postcodes MK40 - MK45 and SG15 - SG18 and part of SG19. For other areas, please visit the main Cats Protection website to find your local branch.

When you contact us, it would greatly help us if you could have as much of the following information to hand as possible (we appreciate that for found cats you may not know all these details):

• Your name, address, postcode, phone number and email address (for our records only)
• Whether you wish for your telephone number to appear on our website (lost cats only)
• The cat's name, any distinguishing features, colour (Please be specific - if, say, you have lost a black and white cat, it is much more helpful if we know, for example, that the cat is black all over except for white chin and paws.), colour of eyes
• The cat's age, hair type, sex, breed (if pedigree), neutered or not, microchipped or not?
• Condition of cat - any health problems or medication.
• Whether the cat has identification and if so, precise details, e.g. red collar with name tag and cat flap magnet.
• Date the cat was lost or found.
• Any other helpful information, e.g. cat is shaven from recent operation, you have just moved home etc.

If you are able to supply us with a picture as well then we will place it on our website

We will then search our records and contact you if we have any matches.  If your cat returns home after being reported lost, PLEASE let us know so we can update our records.