Many cat owners dislike the idea of keeping their animals trapped inside the home, but letting your pets roam free comes with the risk of them becoming lost or injured. Acting responsibly before and after your cat goes missing can significantly improve your chances of a happy reunion, and if you're covered by a comprehensive insurance policy, the costs of tracking down your lost pet will be covered to a certain limit.
Acting promptly can boost your prospects of finding your lost cat enormously, which first means heading out into your local neighbourhood. Cats are very territorial creatures, even after being neutered, and are unlikely to abandon their homes by choice, so if your cat has been absent for longer than usual, it could be a good idea to check any places that they might have become trapped.
If no one has seen your cat, you should consider the possibility that your pet has been picked up by animal control workers. Calling or making a visit to rescue shelters in your area could help you find your lost pet, but you should always act quickly and make repeat visits every few days, as many shelters will unfortunately only be able to house pets for a limited time.
Spreading the word of your animal's absence can work wonders in bringing them home safely, and this can be easily achieved with the help of flyers and advertisements, posted in local newspapers, around your town and online. Flyers can be posted far and wide throughout your local area, including public notice boards in schools and post offices if you have permission, and could perhaps feature a colour photo of your cat as well as your contact details.
If your pet is covered by cat insurance, you could also be entitled to receive financial help towards the cost of printing and advertising, as well as reward money offered for their safe return.
On the other hand, if your cat only lives indoors and you're sure all exits are covered, patience could be the key to their safe recovery. Make sure your rooms are quiet and listen out for the sounds of a trapped animal. If you feel you've run out of options, hiring a registered pet detective could be an effective, if expensive method for finding your lost cat.
