Don't lose that Cat!
Anyone who looks at our website regularly will have noticed that we have had lots of lost cats reported to us recently. The owners who contact us are usually very distressed. They have already taken the obvious steps to find their pets, posters in local shops, visits to neighbours, checking outhouses and garages and indoor cupboards and drawers, and they find it difficult to accept that a member of their family has disappeared.
Cats Protection Lost and Found, who are in a a position to note all the circumstances surrounding missing domestic cats, note that several factors appear time and time again.
Firstly, cats usually disappear at night. There is really no sensible reason for letting a cat out in the dark hours and night-time is a far more dangerous world for a small domestic animal.
Secondly, cats often go missing when their environment has changed, the family has moved house, gone on holiday and left their pet with a neighbour, or maybe a relative in an unfamiliar area. The cat doesn’t know this is only a temporary situation. It is extremely important that in these circumstances the cat is not let out too soon or, in the case of temporary accommodation, not at all. In addition make sure that everyone in the household is vigilant about keeping doors and windows secured. Cats can be great escape artists.
Thirdly, the family structure has altered, a new baby, a new dog, long term visitors, all will disrupt their life-style. Give the cat a place of its own away where it can escape to and feel safe. It is best to establish this well before the new arrivals come on the scene.
Fourthly, some cats disappear almost immediately they have been re-homed, maybe because their new family, not used to having an animal which needs containing, leave doors or windows open. Also, on two occasions recently, the new puss has simply broken down the cat-flap and gone! N.B. if you have a cat flap check it is secure.
South Birmingham recommend that a newly re-homed cat is kept indoors for at least six weeks before being let out. During that time they will become familiar with the sights, sounds, smells and routines of their new home, the layout of their indoor territory and, of course, the source of their food!
If a cat were writing this article I suspect he could tell us a myriad more reasons why felines choose to leave home - and indeed why they then return, as some of them do. Unfortunately this does leave many who are never found and many who are the victims of road traffic accidents.
Finally , a quick check-list of what you can do to make it easier to find your cat should he/she go missing: have him micro-chipped. get him used to wearing a collar which gives your surname and contact number; have a good photograph which you can immediately circulate. It is also worth remembering that cats - both male and female - which have been neutered are far less likely to stray
Cats Protection produce essential guides to Moving Home, Animals and children (including new babies) Feline Behaviour etc. All are free and can be downloaded from the Cats Protection main site.