Statistically, Here are some of the 2012 ASPCA studys key figures: According to Dr. Weiss, its a wonderful idea for cat owners to choose to have their feline pals microchipped for easy identification should they get lost and are taken to shelters. Its owner, Ed Pullman, thought that he was never going to see his cat again, mainly because its not the kind that could tolerate the elements very well. Before delving into the chances of finding a lost dog after 24 hours, let's look at some statistics. Then there are cats who go missing forseveral months and even a year or two or three, sometimes considerably longer. For those who wonder if their missing cat will come back, statistics show that the vast majority do find their way home. You must Blanket your area with postersbright, neon-colored signs with black, bold, easy-to-read fonts and a clear photo of your cat. But some predictive animal behavior could For as long as there is no evidence that the lost cats have died, there is still a possibility for them to be recovered. of a dog being found (93%) but the odds of finding a missing cat are also high Update often on social media, or change your posters to a different color to gain more attention. Perhaps shes stuck somewhere waiting for you to save her. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. If your cat has gotten lost, the quicker you get started, the less time he has to wander. Treatment often requires hospitalization, fluid therapy and, in many cases, tube feeding. AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Kitty Devotees is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We have a son called Joe and four Maine Coon cats. The Facts of Feline Fertility, How to Bottle Feed a Kitten: Tips for New Cat Parents, How to Potty Train a Cat: Litter Training Tips and Tricks, How to Take Care of a Cat: The Ultimate Beginners Guide. Ed believed that its because Arthur no longer smelled the same after its outdoor adventure. Should any member of your search Our cats love this Amazon Basics tree with multi-levels, scratching posts, and a little hideaway. Well, usually they return within 24 hours. Another cat we knew of was missing for many months. a lost dog or cat amzn_assoc_tracking_id="catvill-20";amzn_assoc_ad_mode="manual";amzn_assoc_ad_type="smart";amzn_assoc_marketplace="amazon";amzn_assoc_region="US";amzn_assoc_design="enhanced_links";amzn_assoc_asins="B000BVRIBM";amzn_assoc_placement="adunit";amzn_assoc_linkid="00a1fcd878d4121c4ccb2a4c0e5e115b"; There are also things you should do before your cat goes missing and just in case. Keep calling shelters and vet hospitals. Place your posters and fliers in high-traffic areas to have as many people see them as possible. Statistics indicate that most lost pets are recovered within 30 days. If you're the owner of an indoor-outdoor cat, you may be faced with a situation in which your kitty is suddenly missing. They will most likely be quite close and locked in somewhere they ventured into. Sometimes they lose their bearings and cant find their way home. If you advertise with a reward, leave out one or two pertinent identifying details of your cat (e.g. Even if the reason the cat stopped eating in the first place resolves, without treatment, the cat will still be sick with liver disease, Dr. Jones said. She currently works as a relief veterinarian for various emergency and specialty hospitals. So, what are the chances of finding your lost cat? The odds of What are the chances of finding a lost cat? Once you know your pet isnt in your house, immediately start walking around your neighborhood. Create, print, post and Dr. Washington recognizes the importance of education and also works as a freelance veterinary writer. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. Manage Settings Stand out, shake the food jar or open the tin can to attract cats in the nearby area. Despite the fact that cats and dogs are being kept as pets for thousands of years already, it was only in 2012 when what is believed to be the first published national study on lost pets, which was by ASPCA, came into being. gone. Step 1: Search Your House Most missing cats escape from their home to roam the great outdoors. There's a chance that someone might have picked him up and brought the dog to a vet clinic. mate. missing pet, you may caution them not to approach the animal directly as it Ear tattoos that were applied at the time of spaying or neutering can serve as an indicator that your cat has had previous preventative care and may have a home. According to Pet FBI, you should resist the urge to put out your cat's normal kibble. Many lost cats were either returned to their owners or found their way back home on their own after a long time. December Although indoor cats occasionally slip out, they rarely go far, and can usually be lured back in easily before meeting harm. The research went on to say that indoors cats never wander beyond 500m of the home. Her ear was slightly torn, and she was thin and dirty, but aside from needing a few extra snuggles, she was fine. If their owners are comfortable enough to also include their home addresses, they may do so to make it a lot easier for those who will find their cats to return them. your pet gets picked up by someone, maybe a neighbor or a stranger, its As part of an emergency plan, it is important to know the steps to take to find your lost pettime is crucial when it comes to your chances of finding your cat after they go missing. Contact Necessary Organizations. lost pet statistics from ASPCA are very likely Share clear, recent photos and any other information, such as health status (does your pet require daily medications? Even if the cat is taken to the shelter, theres no way of contacting you. Only 15 percent of pet guardians reported a lost dog or cat in the past five years. Call and visit as many shelters as possible, put out ads around the neighborhood and online, search the area thoroughly, post on Facebook and Craigslist, and set human traps. Its also the reason why some missing cats were found long distances from their homes after just 24 hours. Salems story is nothing compared to others, but it is still another glimmer of hope. As an Amazon Associate, we may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases but at no extra cost to you. Hang lost pet posters. Huang L, Coradini M, Rand J, et al. August While youre walking the neighborhood, call your cats name and shake their favorite treat or food bag loudly. someones home and cant get out. What are the chances of a lost cat returning? While not all pets make it back home, the quicker you spring into action and the broader your search network, the more likely youll have your furry friend back in your arms again. Alert your animal control officer: Give them a flyer and ask them to be on the lookout for your cat, dead or alive. The Pet Rescue is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. After the first night, we scoured the neighborhood, posting leaflets through doors asking people to check their sheds, garages, and other outbuildings. The simple answer is yes, most likely. At the next stop, one of two things usually happens: either the cat darts out and runs away (worst-case scenario) or the driver is able to contain the cat (hoped-for scenario). Protect your cats and give them the best chance you can, keep them indoors if at all possible, but dont underestimate their fighting spirit or desire to make it home to you. your pet as long as you dont stop searching. We spent days combing the woods for Salem with treats in our hands, calling her name. And then one day fifteen days after she went missing, Salem sauntered up the field where my dad was working, and allowed him to usher her into the house. Its because of this exactly why you may use your own scent to guide your lost cat back home. Call local vets and rescue centers, put up posters locally and talk to all your neighbors. Neutered males and spayed females generally have a smaller territory and rarely go far beyond it. Unspayed females can become frustrated and may seek out the company of male cats. Many cats like to claw horizontally which is why we chose the PetFusion Ultimate cat scratcher. His owner had checked there many times but he has remained hidden. missing pet, you have great odds of finding a lost cat or dog after 24 hours if If your pet has a microchip, update your contact information with the provider. The best advice is to start a local search as soon as you realize your cat has vanished. It is far better to reduce the chances of your cat going missing by having it spayed/ neutered, having it micro-chipped, keeping in after dark, having set meal times, and by stimulating it in your home with lots of play and affection. This is one of many reasons why cats go missing. This can happen if you have a dispute with a neighbour or other acquaintance. While it's true that the odds of finding a lost cat are slimmer the longer the animal is missing, a cat owner must not lose hope. after 24 hours have passed? Using a wildlife or security camera can be helpful in determining if your cat is still in the area, and to establish the best location for finding them or setting up a trap. Keep calling out her name. When it comes to searching for a lost cat, the sooner you start looking for it, the less time your pet has the opportunity to roam far away from home. Below, we will talk about other steps that you may take to make it more likely for your cat, in case it gets lost, to be reunited with you so dont stop reading now. If you conduct an extensive search immediately, there's a good chance you'll find the cat near to where it was last seen. Many cats are food motivated and may come running when they hear the treat bag shaking! A missing cat is something most cat owners experience at some point. Unless something really scared away your cat, there is a huge possibility that its just somewhere near its home. If your cat goes missing, there are things you can do to help bring them home in addition to getting the word out as mentioned above. Tip: if you ever move house get your details updated on the microchip database make sure you get details of how to do this from your vet when you have your cat microchipped. surveyed have had a dog or cat missing in five years, Theres almost an equal Armed with a flashlight, you may run into your cat as its coming out of its chosen hiding place to explore the world outside the home. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Pet FBI shows stories of cats reunited with their owners long after they went missing. Copyright 2023 Kitty Devotees. Create flyers with pictures of your cat: Offer a reward, and distribute the flyers door-to-door in at least a three-block radius. PawMaw, Chances of Finding a Lost Pet After 24 Hours, Only 15% of households Depending on your pets condition and how long they were missing, most vets recommend taking them for a physical exam at a minimum. When Arthur was recovered, it was apparent that the cat was dehydrated but otherwise looked okay. Additionally, a cat which has escaped is now exposed to numerous risks and dangers including fighting, accidents, disease, parasites, etc. 93 percent of dogs and 75 percent of cats reported lost were returned safely to their homes. If your cat has never gone missing before, its best to worry sooner rather than later. 74% of reported lost cats were returned safely to their respective owners. What Is the Difference Between A Feral Cat And A Stray Cat? Cats are very territorial (even neutered ones), so search nearby areas closely for any convenient hiding spots. Your area with postersbright, neon-colored signs with black, bold, easy-to-read fonts and little. 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