Hundreds of cats go missing each year in the UK, and many of the cats end up in our rescue centres unclaimed. How did this situation happen, and why are so many lost and unable to be reunited with their families?
This is a mystery that many people have tried to solve, but there is no one definitive answer. Just how much work do owners do to try to find their missing cat? I believe people have good intentions to find their missing cat, but after a while they give up hope and stop searching.
One reason could be is that lost cats don't make it to the rescue centres right away. Missing cats may go unnoticed for weeks or months before someone takes any notice of a cat hanging around the area. Someone may see a cat sitting in a street and may assume that it lives there. By that time, the owners may have given up checking in with rescue centres and vet surgeries.
Another theory is that lost cats simply don't go to the rescue centres within the area with they were lost from. For example, if a cat is lost in a rural area, it may be found and taken to a rescue centre that is located in a nearby town. The owners may not even know that this rescue centre exists and could be in a different county from where the cat went missing from.
So, what can be done to increase the chances of finding a lost cat and returning them to their home?
The best solution is to implant a microchip in your cat. A microchip is a tiny device that is inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades. It contains a unique identification number that can be scanned by a veterinarian or other animal rescue services.
So if your cat is lost and ends up in a shelter, the staff can scan their microchip to see if they are registered. If they are, the rescue centre will contact you to let you know that your cat has been found.
Microchipping is a quick and safe procedure that can save your cat's life. It is also relatively inexpensive, and most veterinarians offer microchipping services, or your can find local micro chippers in your area.
Here are some other tips for increasing the chances of finding a lost cat:
Make sure your cat is microchipped and all the details are up to date.
Your cat could wear a collar with and ID tag
Make sure you have plenty of clear photos of your cat showing any unusual markings or distinctive patterns.
Contact your local vets and cat rescue centres, send an up to date photo and information about your cat.
Share on as many social media pages and sites as you can, and continue to post until your cat has been found
Make posters and leaflets and distribute them around your area, within at least half a mile distance around your home.
Make neighbours aware your cat is missing, ask them to help look out for your cat and contact you if they see your cat.
If you find a lost cat, the best thing to do is take them to a veterinarian or rescue centre to have them scanned for a microchip. If they have a microchip, they can then contact the owner and return the cat home.
Microchipping is the best way to ensure that your cat is returned to you if they are lost. It is a simple, safe, and effective way to identify your pet and increase their chances of coming home safely.
Lastly never give up searching to soon, sometimes it takes months you find your cat, Continue to check rescue centres, social media pages and missing cat websites, share on social media pages as your cat could be travelled further afield. Never give up as cats have turned up months or even years later.
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