The Importance of Identification
It is important to emphasize that with proper identification, your cat may be returned to you without having to go through all this stress. If your cat wears a collar and tags, most people will return him to you if they think he is lost. With micro-chipping and/or ear tattooing, many veterinarians and animal shelters will be able to notify you, even if the collar/tags were removed. Professional thieves will avoid cats with ear tattoos; they know that laboratories will not accept owned cats, and more nefarious "end users" will probably also avoid them.
Use Caution in Offering Rewards
Heart-rending stories have been told about cruel extortionists who extracted large cash rewards from grieving pet owners, under the premise of having "found" their pets. If you advertise with an award, be sure to leave out one or two pertinent identifying details of your cat (one black whisker, one white toe, etc.) Don't leave yourself open for false hopes, and by all means, don't wire reward money until you see your cat.
Become Involved and Involve Your Neighbors
Most important of all, take steps to prevent cats from becoming lost in the first place. There most likely are other outdoors cats in your neighborhood, especially if you live in the suburbs.
- Contact their owners and tell them of your concerns.
- Organize a "cat neighboorhood watch."
- Stress the importance of identification for their cats.
- Be on the lookout for strangers in the neighborhood, and if you see someone picking up a cat, get the license number and description of the vehicle. Call the owner, if you recognize the cat.
- Become familiar with the laws in your community with regard to pets. Many cities have laws that state all found pets must be turned into the local shelter. Unfortunately, many people do not realize this, or disregard the law.
- Write letters to your newspaper. Point out the Golden Rule with regard to "finding" someone else's pet.
Indoors is Safest
Although indoors cats do occasionally slip out, they rarely go far, and can usually be lured back in easily before meeting harm. It goes without saying that an inside cat is a safer cat .
Here's hoping that you never have to go through the worry and turmoil of a missing cat, but if you do, that these tips will help in a successful recovery. Remember, it's every bit as frightening for our wayward cats as it is for us.
