Sometimes a cat can be missing for many months – we have had instances where a car was reunited with its owners after 6 months.

As ever, there are so many cats reported missing that have no means of ready identification on them. We know that many owners dislike putting collars on their cats because they are afraid that they will cause them injury in some way. But against this it is always so much easier if a cat, found in distressed circumstances, has some means of positive identification. We, as a branch of Cats Protection are positively looking to microchip cats that come into our care and are subsequently homed by us.

If you want some form of ready ID, we recommend that you buy collars on which you can write in indelible ink contact details. You can buy name discs of barrels with space for contact details inside. You can seal them with nail lacquer so that they do not come unscrewed with the cat’s movements. Please make sure you that you only use “Safety” collars as elastic type ones can cause a cat serious injury.

If you have "lost" a cat please contact Philip, 05602 965182

Don’t forget we will need all the relevant details of your cat.

Date last seen and where. Colour, male/female, if neutered, age, wearing a collar or not, with details of your home address and phone number and if your cat has been micro chipped. Digital photos are even better.

Micro-chipping is a very positive step to take. A small chip is inserted into the cats flesh at the back of the neck by a syringe and is then checked for it's unique registration number. A form is then prepared with the cats full details, owners name address and telephone numbers. The cost is anything from about £15-£30 depending on who carries out the procedure. However, some vets will reduce the cost of chipping if it is done when the cat comes in to be neutered.

So often we hear that a cat has been wearing a collar BUT WITH NO MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION. It does not cost a lot to put a disc onto a collar, or some other means of identification. Only when your cat goes missing do you realise the importance of having an easily recognized means of ID on your cat. So act now and get that tag made and put it on your cat. You never know when it might be needed.

Please note that cats do wander and roam, so even if your cat is missing from your road it doesn't necessarily mean that it will be found in your road.

It is a good idea to check out all of your outhouses, sheds, garages etc., as well as your immediate neighbours, rear, side and front, as a cat will hide away if frightened and scared.

If you have a printer attached to your computer prepare a poster which you can then display on telegraph poles etc. to bring the attention to passers by, of your loss.

Please also check with Serco the Local Authority Agency for street cleaning in our area telephone (free phone) 0800 0319091 in case your cat has been involved in a road traffic accident.

Veterinary Surgeries also maintain their own "Lost & Found" records so it is also worth while informing all the local vets in your area, not just the vets you would normally use. Your local Yellow pages will have local vet’s telephone numbers.

Also contact all the local rescue organizations for a list of based rescues check out Catchat.org. On the Home Page, go to the map on the left hand side and pull down the menu to . You will see all locally based rescues, with up to date contact details.

So please spread the word and let your family, friends and neighbours be aware of our services. Also if you have an elderly cat that is under medication and is not at all well then please think twice before letting it out. A litter tray can be so easily provided and does give peace of mind to know where your sick cat is.

We have found on more than one occasion that an elderly cat can get disorientated and lost and ends up as either another accident statistic, or at the vets. If it is really sick and poorly, or involved in a RTA, then the vets will euthanase the cat if it is badly distressed and nothing further can be done for it. So please ensure that your cat can be readily identified and that you can be informed immediately should your cat become one of our "Lost and Found" statistics.

Good luck with your search and please if you do find your cat then please inform everyone you contacted in your search profile so that they can take them off their list.

Phillip (Lost and Found)