What to do if your cat escapes and gets lost

Your cat slipped out through a gap in the door or window!

When you live with a cat, such heart-stopping moments are common. Even with all the escape prevention measures in place, the worry never truly goes away.

What should you do if your beloved cat escapes? We've compiled essential information for cat owners, including reasons why cats escape, the likelihood of them returning, and how to find and catch a lost cat.

Reasons Why Indoor-Only Cats Escape

Indoor-only cats consider their home to be their territory. Cats have a strong sense of territory, so they tend to dislike going outside of it.

However, even cats who have never been outside may escape for the following reasons:

1. Escaping out of Curiosity

Cats are highly curious creatures. They may be tempted to go outside if they see something interesting, such as "a bird or an insect" or "a stray cat." Their curiosity can override the safety of their territory, leading them to escape.

2. Escaping Due to Stress

Changes in environment, such as moving or adding a new cat to the household, can be a major source of stress for cats. They may escape if they can't handle it. Also, it's common for cats to bolt outside due to loud noises, such as an earthquake or fireworks.

3. Escaping to Find a Mate During Mating Season

Mating season for cats is from spring to autumn. Cats who have not been spayed or neutered may not only meow loudly and become restless during mating season, but may also escape in search of a mate.

Cat Escaped! How to Search for It?

What should owners do when their cat escapes?

While cats are said to have a homing instinct, the probability of indoor-only cats returning on their own is quite low.

Even if they escape impulsively, they often become paralyzed with fear and remain hidden very close to home. First, calmly recall how to search for an escaped cat.

Immediately After Escaping, Search Around Your Home

Immediately after escaping, check under air conditioner outdoor units, drains, behind planters, under cars, and in shrubbery around your home. Lure them out slowly with their favorite treats or toys, without startling them.

For the First 3 Days, Search Within a 50-Meter Radius

Most lost cats are found within 3 days of their escape. Consider the first 3 days to be critical and search thoroughly within a 50-meter radius. It's possible the cat has wandered into a neighbor's yard, so explain the situation and ask for permission to search.

What's important here is to call their name in your usual tone of voice. Call out as if saying "dinner time~". Also, open a door or window slightly and scatter their usual food or treats, or used cat litter, to show them the way back home. However, make sure to take proper escape prevention measures for any other cats in the household.

Gather Sighting Information with Posters, Flyers, and Social Media

As mentioned above, the first three days are crucial. Gradually expand your search area and gather sightings of your cat using lost cat posters and flyers. Ask local vets and shops to display them in prominent places. Make full use of the power of social media for spreading information on platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Include the date and location of the escape, your contact information, and a large photo of your cat. It's a good idea to have photos of your cat readily available.

Lost cat posters and flyers can also be ordered from online shops such as Maigo Pet.net.

Contact the Public Health Center, Animal Welfare Center, and Police

Register your cat as "lost" as it might have been rescued somewhere. Contact your local public health center, animal welfare center, and police station.

You can also search for rescued cats at public health centers and animal welfare centers nationwide using the "Ministry of the Environment Animal Shelter Data Search Site." Be sure to check there too.

How to Catch an Escaped Cat?

When searching for a lost cat, bring a carrier bag, bath towels or blankets, a laundry net, their usual food or treats, and toys.

Even if you spot your cat, do not run towards them or shout loudly. They might get scared and run away further.

Approach slowly while gently calling their name. While distracting them with food, treats, or toys, cover them with a bath towel, blanket, or laundry net and place them in the carrier bag. Once you return home, check their entire body and take them to the vet.

When You Absolutely Can't Catch Them, Try a Trap

If you know where your cat is but just can't catch them, using a trap is an option.

You can borrow them from public health centers, animal welfare centers, veterinary clinics, or animal welfare organizations, but be aware that they can be tricky to use.

There's Also the Option of Hiring a Pet Detective

If you absolutely cannot find your escaped cat, consider hiring a pet detective. They can handle everything from searching and interviewing to trapping.

Summary

It's common to hear stories of people searching far and wide for their escaped cat, only to find them very close to home.

If your cat escapes, it's natural to be worried and want to find them immediately, but first, stay calm. For the first three days, search thoroughly within a 50-meter radius of your home.

Cats often escape out of curiosity. It's important to prepare for escapes as a foreseeable accident. In addition to blocking escape routes with fences on windows and entrance doors, cat collars, ID tags, and microchips are essential.

To avoid irritating your cat's fur or skin, choose a cat collar that is as light and gentle as possible.

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