[Permanent Preservation Edition] My Cat Ran Away! How to Find and Catch a Lost Cat, and How to Prevent Escapes

For cat owners, the number one worry is their cat "escaping."

No matter how careful you are, cats can sometimes find a small opening and slip outside.

Just thinking about my beloved cat getting out and facing danger... it’s enough to break out in a cold sweat.

In this article, I’d like to talk about what to do if your cat escapes or gets lost. I will explain in detail not only how to search for them and how to catch them, but also preventative measures to stop them from escaping in the first place.

Why strictly indoor cats escape

Today, keeping cats strictly indoors has become the norm, and allowing cats to freely come and go between the house and the outdoors is becoming less common.

Since cats don’t need to be walked like dogs, many have no knowledge of the outside world. So, why do they end up escaping?

Let’s look at the reasons why strictly indoor cats escape.

Reasons why cats escape

It is believed that cats want to go outside because there are stimuli there that don't exist inside the house.

For example:

• They spotted prey like birds or insects outside the window
• They want to patrol their territory
• They are a former stray or rescue cat and miss their outdoor life
• They are in heat and looking for a mate (spring to summer)
• They became interested in a neighborhood stray cat
• They don't get along with other cats in the household

These are all possible reasons.

Beyond the cat's curiosity, there are also unpredictable reasons for escapes, such as:

• They were startled by a loud noise
• Windows or walls were damaged during an earthquake

There is a possibility that they could escape for these unpredictable reasons as well.

Common escape routes for cats

Let’s also learn about the escape routes cats take and how they manage to get out.

● Cat Escape Route 1: The Entrance

The most common escape route is the "entrance." They wait for the perfect moment when you are leaving or coming home to slip past you. You also need to be careful when receiving deliveries or guests.

● Cat Escape Route 2: Windows

There are many cases where cats escape because a "window" without a screen was left open. Some cats are clever enough to open or tear through window screens to get out. Never let your guard down.

● Cat Escape Route 3: Balcony

The moments when you are hanging or bringing in laundry are prime opportunities for your cat. Also, there are cases where a cat was taken out to the balcony to sunbathe, only to climb over the railing and escape.

● Cat Escape Route 4: Carrier Bag

Be careful when going out with your cat in a carrier, such as for a vet visit or grooming. You must also account for the possibility of the cat jumping out of the carrier and running away.

Do cats come back after they escape?

It’s said that dogs have a homing instinct and can find their way home even from far away.

Do cats have a homing instinct, too? If they happen to get outside, will they be able to make it home safely?

What is the probability of a cat returning after escaping?

If a cat is used to living outdoors, it will usually come home once it’s finished its business.

However, the probability of a strictly indoor cat—one that doesn't know the outside world—finding its own way home is very low. If they run away because they were startled, they may end up too far from the house and lose their way back.

The outside world is full of dangers

For a strictly indoor cat, the outside world is a complete mystery, and it is full of life-threatening dangers. In that sense, the likelihood of an escaped cat returning home safely is quite low.

● Traffic Accidents

The possibility of a traffic accident is extremely high. Often, a cat will freeze in panic when it hears a car approaching, leading to accidents where it gets hit because it couldn't move.

● Fights

They might get involved in a fight with a stray cat and get injured.

● Infectious Diseases and Parasites

Through contact with stray cats, they might contract infectious diseases like feline AIDS or feline leukemia virus, or pick up parasites.

● Unwanted Pregnancy

If the cat hasn't been spayed, there is a possibility of pregnancy, which also increases the risk of infectious diseases.

● Abuse and Abduction

Animal abusers often target stray cats. If a friendly, lost cat happens to appear before someone with malicious intent... even without malice, they might be taken away simply because they were "so friendly."

● Accidental Ingestion

If the cat feels hungry, it might eat something it shouldn't. Depending on what it is, it could cause poisoning.

How to search for an escaped cat

If your cat escapes, you will likely panic and feel like you "have to catch them quickly!"

Before you rush out of the house, please calm down just a little. Try to remember the ways to search for an escaped cat introduced below.

What to bring when searching for an escaped cat

Before going out to search for your cat, it is important to prepare the necessary items.

• Carrier bag
• Food or treats they usually eat
• Toys
• Bath towel or blanket
• Flashlight
• Photo of your cat

A carrier bag is essential for safely bringing your cat home once you find them.

Having the food, treats, or toys your cat usually enjoys might help lower their guard and entice them to come out. Also, keeping a bath towel or blanket that carries your cat’s scent can be useful for gently capturing them.

If possible, have a printed photo of your cat ready. You can show the photo to neighbors or passersby to ask for information.

Where and how should you look?

Instead of searching aimlessly, it is important to understand your cat's behavioral patterns. Calmly call their name using your usual tone as you search.

● First, search within a 50-meter radius of your home

Cats who aren't used to the outside world are often very close to home. First, focus your search within a 50-meter radius.

Check "dark, narrow places" that cats love, such as under cars, in bushes, in gaps between buildings, in gutters, under air conditioner units, behind vending machines, or under park benches. Gradually expand the search area centered on your home.

● Place "familiar" items around your home

Don't panic if you don't find them right away. Strictly indoor cats rarely wander far all of a sudden.

Leave a window or door slightly open so they can return at any time (assuming there are no other resident cats). Additionally, placing "food," "treats," or "used cat litter" around your home might just lead them to pop up suddenly.

● Spread the word with posters and social media

"Lost cat posters" and "lost cat flyers" directed at local residents are also effective. Make use of apps and services that allow you to create posters for free, and try to get them posted in as many places as possible, including veterinary clinics. Also, actively use websites and social media platforms where you can post information about a lost cat.

● Don't forget to contact the police, public health centers, and animal welfare centers

Cats outdoors aren't easily distinguishable from strays at a glance. To ensure they aren't put down as a "stray with no owner," be sure to file a report with your local police, public health center, and animal welfare center.

When should you search?

If you couldn't find your cat immediately after they escaped, try searching during the nighttime and early morning hours when cats are more active. Otherwise, if they have a consistent daily routine, such as set meal times or play times, they might come out during those periods.

How to capture an escaped cat

Even if you find your cat, do not call out to them loudly or rush toward them in a panic.

The cat is in a state of stress, and their guard is way up. Even your beloved owner can be startled and run away if you approach too aggressively. First, gently call their name from where you are.

Lower your posture and close the distance gradually

You may want to catch them immediately, but please exercise some patience here. To avoid intimidating the cat, get down to their eye level and gradually close the distance as you approach.

If you reach out your hand gently, they might approach and sniff your fingertips. If you have their favorite food or treats, place them quietly near the cat.

Step back a little and observe. Once they regain their composure, wrap them in a bath towel, blanket, or a large laundry net, and get them into the carrier.

● Be careful of injuries during capture

If you try to force them to be captured, even a loving owner can get seriously injured. When you absolutely must perform a forced capture, do not use your bare hands; try to cover them with a towel or blanket from the head down to capture them.

● Using a trap is also an option

If you know where your cat is but cannot catch them no matter what, you can try using a "humane trap."
They can be borrowed from local government offices, public health centers, animal welfare organizations, or vet clinics, but since they are designed to lure and trap the cat inside, caution is required when using them.

Provide thorough aftercare

Once they are back home safely, check their entire body thoroughly for any injuries or signs of discomfort. Offer them food in small amounts, and observe how they eat, as well as their stool and urine. Once they have calmed down, it is best to take them to a veterinary clinic for a check-up just to be safe.

Your cat might be wary of you for a little while, but take your time and rebuild that trust.

Oh, and don’t forget to take down the lost cat posters. It’s a good idea to leave them up for a while with a note saying "Found."

What if you absolutely cannot find your escaped cat?

If you cannot find your cat no matter how hard you search, consider the following methods.

● Ask at veterinary clinics

There are cases where a cat has been injured in a traffic accident and taken to a veterinary clinic. Ask around at your local clinics as well.

● Hire a pet detective

There are pet detectives who specialize in finding lost pets. They have expert knowledge and mobility, so if there is a pet detective in your area, it is definitely worth seeking their help.

● Inquire with local municipal cleaning departments

If you have tried everything and still cannot find them... it's a painful thought, but you may need to inquire with the cleaning or waste management department that handles deceased animals.

Escape Prevention Measures for Cats

Escape prevention measures are extremely important to ensure your cat doesn't face danger.

Reflecting on the reasons why cats escape and their escape routes, let’s take effective steps to prevent it.

Preventing escapes from entrances, windows, and balconies

Physically block your cat’s escape routes. At the same time, establish rules for the family, such as not leaving doors or windows open and reconsidering how you open and close your front door.

● Escape prevention gates

Install an "escape prevention gate" at the entrance or service door. By closing the gate before you open the door, you can prevent your cat from dashing out.

There are various types of escape gates, from simple ones to full-scale ones covering everything from floor to ceiling. You can even DIY one using materials from a 100-yen shop.

If a full-scale gate isn't an option, utilize a cage or carrier bag to keep them secured when you have guests over.

● "Cat inside" stickers

Be careful when opening and closing the front door. To notify family and guests that a cat lives inside, put up a "Cat inside" sticker.

● Window screen stoppers

Fix window screens in place with screen stoppers or tension rods so your cat cannot open them on their own. Replacing your screens with more durable, tear-resistant material is also effective.

● Block off the balcony railing

Ideally, don't let them on the balcony, but some cats love to sunbathe. To prevent an escape, block the railing with netting or a bamboo blind.

● Lock doors

Cats can easily open lever-style handles and sliding doors. Keep doors locked to rooms with access to the outdoors to ensure they cannot enter.

Create ways for them to relieve stress indoors

Create a place where your cat can rest in peace and quiet so they don't feel stressed.

Rather than just wide-open space, cats need high places where they can exercise vertically. Try optimizing the layout of your furniture, such as adding a cat tree, cat steps, or using bookshelves.

Prepare for the worst: escapes and disasters

Even if you install escape prevention gates, it is difficult to prevent all escapes 100%. There are things you should prepare for in advance, just in case. These are must-haves not only for preventing escapes but also for disasters.

● A microchip is essential; also use a cat collar and name tag

Having a microchip implanted, where your owner information can be registered, is essential.

Also, if your cat is wearing a collar when they escape, it serves as a sign that they are a "pet cat." Furthermore, a name tag can provide your contact information, which is a great relief.

Get your cat used to wearing a collar and have them wear it at all times. It also has the added benefit of making it easier to explain your cat's features if needed. It is important to have "measures to make them easier to find" if your cat becomes lost.

● Get them accustomed to carriers and harnesses

Getting your cat used to a carrier bag will help when isolating them for guests or during emergencies. Let them get used to it by feeding them treats inside or using it as a regular relaxation space.

Also, wearing a harness inside the carrier can prevent accidental escape accidents. Try getting them used to a harness bit by bit.

● Keep vaccinations and spaying/neutering up to date

To avoid infectious diseases should an escape occur, don't forget to keep vaccinations up to date.

Also, if you have no plans for breeding, consider spaying or neutering to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Because spaying/neutering eliminates heat cycles, it can to some extent suppress the impulse to escape.

Summary

Cat escapes can happen suddenly. That is why it is extremely important to practice daily escape prevention measures and be prepared for the worst.

Start by installing escape prevention gates on escape routes. Then, create an environment where they can relieve stress indoors. Getting your cat accustomed to collars, harnesses, and carriers is useful not only for escape and lost-cat prevention, but also in the event of a disaster.

If they do escape... please try not to panic and search focusing on a 50m radius around your home. Don't forget to report your cat as missing to the public health center, animal welfare center, and the police.

When your beloved cat comes home, be sure to spoil them with lots of love.

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