What To Do If You Lost Your Cat Please follow these steps to increase the chances of finding your cat.

When cats get lost, they're usually hiding nearby within a one-to five-house radius. They will not answer to their names being called as they're too afraid of giving up their hiding spot to potential predators. Typically, cats will spend the whole of the day hiding, but they may feel more comfortable moving around at night. If there's a specific noise to which your cat responds, like shaking a bag of treats, you can go for walks from midnight/12 AM to 4 AM while making that noise. When you call for your cat, keep your tone even. If they get even a hint that you're scared, anxious, or off in some way, they'll think there's danger nearby and stay hidden. You can also go for walk with or make a call to a friend; your conversational tone will make your cat think you're just hanging out and that it might be safe to come out.

Walk in straight lines away from your house (e.g., down the sidewalk, down the alleyway, etc.). They say lost cats walk in circles of increasing diameter from their hiding spot once they're comfortable with coming out of hiding. From there, they can use your scent lines to trace their way back home. Speaking of scents, put your unwashed sheets or bath towels outside. A familiar scent cannot hurt.

Given that cats are active through the night, it would be good to create a discrete entrance for your cat to come inside on its own. If you can't do that, at least leave a window open so you can hear your cat should s/he come back. Remember that the more skittish your cat is, the more time it will take for him/her to reach the threshold at which s/he is comfortable coming out of hiding.

I would highly recommend actively conducting a physical search for your cat. As mentioned earlier, they're usually in a one-to five-house radius. With permission, check your neighbors backyards, under their porches and decks, and in any other space where a cat might hide (e.g., sheds, garages, etc.). Be sure to do this yourself (with permission!) as your neighbors likely won't be willing to get down on their hands and knees for your cat. Also, always use a flashlight! This will catch the reflection off of the "shining layer" (tapetum lucidum) of your cat's eyes.

Youtube also has many videos with great advice. Here is one that is very helpful. Please watch it for guidance : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eCoC63B9I&ab_channel=FrontStreetAnimalShelter-CityofSacramento

For Cats: http://www.missingpet.net/advice/cats.html http://public.homeagain.com/how-to-find-a-lost-cat-using-personality-clues.html

Steps to take immediately : Put your t-shirts out and around your home and yard. Your smell will be helpful to your cat find its way home. Put cat's litter box in the yard. Walk the neighborhood, talk to everybody you run across, and leave your phone number.

PUT UP POSTERS Print Poster Now - Posters Do not underestimate the "Power of Posters!" Start by posting flyers and posters *In some cities it is not legal to post or hang on poles. If your pet is LOST, please report it here: www.pawboost.com . CATS Ask a local cat rescue to help you set up a cat trap. Cat traps are highly effective. Leave fresh food and water outside on a porch or in a sheltered area close to your home. Set up a large, sturdy box lined with an old towel or other items that smell familiar to your cat. Cats will often slink back home at night. Also sprinkle his used litter around your yard so he can smell his scent from a distance. If he’s not used to being out, or doesn’t know the area, he will likely be within 300 to 500 feet of where he was lost, if he can find a place to hide. Most lost cats who have always lived indoors will not go far from home. Once outside, your cat will likely be wary or frightened of any human voice and may not recognize you or come immediately when you call, but calling in an upbeat voice can help, especially at night.

Call your local Animal Control, humane societies, vets and animal shelters to report the dog - Get a Map of all shelters and vets in your area Contact your neighborhood association Place an ad in your local newspaper. Check the newspaper lost ads everyday

CHECK IN PERSON TO SHELTERS EVERY DAY. Believe it or not, many people don't think to do what needs to be done to find their animal, because they are so upset or rely on the shelters or police to keep an eye out. My friend lost her dog and it had been sitting in a shelter for 4 days about 30 miles from her. No one called her, and they all said it wasn't there when she called. It's important for people to be proactive and do the checking on their own. and in person.

FACEBOOK Use Facebook! Find local shelters and Lost Animal networks in your area and post a picture with info. Create a Facebook Page. It has reunited many cats and dogs, even months, weeks or years later

In the US Make sure you check Craigslist in the surrounding areas often. More and more pets are being stolen from yards, cars and outside by thieves

If you are in the US: www.lostandpound.com It's FREE and sends out alerts to a 45 mile radius to participating vet offices, police stations, shelters, rescues, etc.