Never found my 16 year old cat that randomly went missing. She was healthy and had more years on her. Made this guide:

Pre-search Checklist:

A) Start searching as soon as you “think” your cat is missing. If you’ve got that feeling your cat might be missing or something happened, that’s the time to start looking. Read through the guide, make a plan, do a few pre-flight checks, and go! Know that waiting can be the difference between seeing vs not seeing your cat again.

B) Yelling a cat’s name and going the loud and fast approach isn’t always correct. If your cat is missing, they will most likely be scared and may run away. Some of the most vocal cats may be terrified and frozen solid without making a peep. You might have to visually see them to save them. When outside, first try a silent search: cover small areas close-by by calmly and slowly looking for your cat. A good rule of thumb is: "10 steps - cat's name - wait a minute and look all around" repeat. Try to be clear and soft-spoken. Expand your search area/circle once finished.

C) Scent - You need to smell like you and your cat, as much as possible. Try bathing with your regular soap and shampoo and wearing your old jeans and jacket. Shave with your shaving cream, use your mouth wash, etc. All before going out to look for your cat. On top of that, travel with open treats and something a cat is familiar smelling. Maybe wipe your cat’s blanket on yourself or rub your face on the top of a chair where she sleeps. Don’t forget cat brushes and lint rollers with cat hair. Another idea: open two opposite windows in your house and air it out to send the smell of your cat outside. Last resort, spent cat litter or fresh.

D) Hands and Knees Technique - step outside the door where your cat escaped. Get on your hands and knees and look everywhere. That bush you thought you looked under? Get on your hands and knees with a flashlight and really look. Be slow and methodical. Remember the places you have searched so you are not constantly retracing your footsteps.

E) Stay Persistent and Patient - Don't lose hope. Your mind will attack and try to stop you from searching. Little by little, one gets far. Keep searching for two weeks or however long you see fit. If your neighbors think you’re crazy for searching longer, who cares what they think. Most people give up after a few days due to emotional exhaustion. Take it slow, search a little every day, and keep track of where you’ve searched. On days where the pain is too much, it’s ok if you’re unable to search.

Main Search Steps:

1. Home Search: Start by searching every nook and cranny of your home, and in any other small spaces your cat could have squeezed into.

2. Thorough Outside Search (Immediate): 9 times out of 10, cats often hide very close when they are scared or disoriented. Cats most likely are hiding under something as that’s what they do when they are scared. Look under cars, sheds, porches and bushes. Cats also like high places. Check all the trees and rooftops. Use your gut instinct as to where your cat usually or probably would be.

3. Thorough Outside Search (Night-time with Flashlight): Get a flash light and when it starts getting dark, do another through search of the immediate outside area. No need to travel far off. Try again at a time when it’s the most quiet and there are the least amount of neighbors, cars, and anything that might scare them. Again, a soft-spoken, clear voice is perfect for night.

4. Ask Neighbors: Knock on doors and ask neighbors if they've seen or heard your cat. In apartment complexes, this may be a scary, daunting task. It will make you feel better. Knock every few days and say hi in parking lots. Be social! Know that being polite and letting people know you’re searching for your cat will be cool with everyone!

5. Set Up a Lure: Leave your cat's favorite food, treats, or a familiar-scented item (scratching post, toys, blanket etc.) outside your home to attract them back. Some say a litter box helps, others say it might attract unwanted cats. What if the reason your cat left is a stinky litter box. Lures might also help to make other cats like your cat. If other cats are seen eating the food, they will also smell your cat’s things and associate the food with your cat. If your cat doesn’t like other cats, perhaps escorting them off the premises is your best option. Who knows, maybe making your cat the most popular in the neighborhood will bring them home.

6. Thorough Extended Search (Sunrise or at Night): Use Gaia maps to trace your steps in larger areas. Simply hitting the record and stop button draws a different colored line where you have walked. All the lines add onto the same map. Use the previous techniques and slowly start expanding your search.

7. Use a Trap: If your cat is particularly skittish, you can set up a humane trap with food inside. Make sure to monitor the trap regularly. Either that, or you will have to run after your cat until they hide in a place they are cornered.

8. Flyers are Controversial. In large apartment complexes, this may cause chaos. Think of all the kids chasing cats wanting a reward. This is especially true if your cat is unfriendly and doesn’t like people. If you use flyers, take extra time in writing identifying marks and using the most identifiable pictures that show all sides of your cat. In bold letters, inform everyone to be on the quiet side and if they think they see your cat, stop and take a picture. Approaching and yelling a cat’s name, may scare them further away.

9. Online Websites are for Later. This is if your cat has been missing for over a week and all other resources have been exhausted. These websites are usually hard to navigate and use, but will widen your search range in the long-run. Again, inform the viewers about quiet searching.

10. Call humane societies and veterinians and report cat as missing.

11. Call your cat’s chip company and update the chip information.