Helping Lost Cats Find Their Way Home

Photo by Artiom Vallat on Unsplash

While walking through our neighborhoods, it's common to see cats outdoors. Some of these cats are pets enjoying a leisurely stroll, while others might be missing the comfort and security of their homes. Then there are the community cats that neighbors collectively care for. Cue the obligatory Lord of the Rings nod: "Not all who wander are lost."

When it comes to helping community cats, animal shelters are not always the best solution. Truly feral cats, with little or no socialization to people, are often considered unadoptable. For this reason, most shelters do not place community cats up for public adoption. Education and advocacy can make a real difference. By promoting the benefits of keeping pet cats indoors, we can help protect both their health and the wildlife that shares our neighborhoods.

The Action Plan: What to Do When You Find a Cat

1. Collar Check: Do you spot a collar? Look for an ID tag and reach out to the owner immediately.

2. Neighborhood Engagement: Engage in conversations with your neighbors, mail carriers, and fellow local walkers.

3. Photo Documentation and Found Reports: Capture and share a photo with local animal shelters.

4. Flyer Campaign: Get creative with old-fashioned flyers in your area. Remember, a picture can convey a thousand meows!

5. Social Media Sleuthing: Use platforms like Facebook, NextDoor, and others to broaden your search.

6. Microchip Magic: If the cat is approachable, consider visiting the vet or shelter to check for a microchip. Alternatively, create a DIY collar with your contact information using the paper collar trick.

7. Cat Mapping: Assist owners by guiding them to the cat's last known location.

8. Rethink Free-Roaming: Suggest indoor living for the cat's safety and to protect small mammals and birds.

9. Sterilized Community Cat: Help caretakers by offering food and shelter.

10. Unsterilized Community Cat: Get involved with trap-neuter-return programs. Visit humanesociety.org/TNRindividuals for more information.

11. Nursing Mom and Kittens: Seek specialized care and advice at https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-if-you-find-kittens

    
    

    
    

The Reality of Missing Cats

Did you know that 1 in 3 pets in America will go missing at some point in their lives? According to the American Humane Association, the reality is even more heartbreaking for cats: less than 5% of lost cats are ever reunited with their owners through shelters. This staggering statistic emphasizes the importance of microchipping, safe outdoor practices, and community awareness to help bring more cats back home.

Specialized Resources for Lost and Found Cats

• PawBoost: This handy database alerts local pet finders and shelters about lost and found pets.

• PetFBI (Pet Finders Bureau, Inc.): A comprehensive platform for lost and found pets across the U.S.

• Tabby Tracker: A network for matching lost and found cats.

• Lost My Kitty: Services include flyer generation and alerts to local vets and shelters.

• Petfinder: A searchable directory of animals needing homes, including a feature for found pets.

• ASPCA: Provides a tool to search for local animal shelters and rescue organizations.

• AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool: Check a pet's microchip number across different databases.

  
  

Your efforts can make a life-changing difference by reuniting lost cats with their families or by offering care and compassion to the community cats that need it most.