Main reasons for running away
There are several of them. The most popular is estrus, during which cats become uncontrollable, driven by the desire to mate, so animals even jump from high-rise balconies. The amazing ability of most cats to land on all fours saves them from death. But the owner loses his pet, so he is forced to go looking for him.
Accidental loss or escape for a cat is extremely stressful
Other popular reasons:
- hunting instinct. Cats by nature are created to catch birds and rodents, and the peculiarity of their visual apparatus is that they see a moving object very sharply. That is why a bird or fly flying outside the windows can cause a brave cat to jump after it;
- old age and illness. Cats often leave home to die alone. In this case, it is not necessary to look for the animal;
- accidental fall. Due to play or carelessness, a pet may fall out of a window or escape through an open door;
- resentment. This is the reason why animals kept in private houses with a fenced area may disappear. If the owner unfairly punishes the cat or gets a new pet, the offended animal may run away;
- a change of scenery. Many city residents decide to move their pet to the village or country house for the summer. However, the animal does not always understand that this is temporary; it believes that it has been abandoned, so it decides to rid the owner of its presence.
Note! In any case, no matter what reason prompts the cat to expand the boundaries of his world, you need to understand that he is experiencing extreme stress, is very afraid, and is waiting for his owner to be able to find him. Therefore, it is very important to know what to do if a cat goes missing and where to start looking for it.
Cats are hunters to the core, so they can accidentally fall out of a window while chasing a bird or insect.
Possible places where an animal can hide
If a cat accidentally fell out of a window or jumped out of it in the excitement of the hunt, you should start searching for it in the nearby area. Serious injuries are likely if the animal falls from 8 floors or higher; lower options, as a rule, allow you to limit yourself to stress. The domestic cat doesn’t want to run anywhere; he dreams of returning to home.
How to find a hamster in an apartment if it has escaped from its cage
The main places where a missing pet can be found are:
- spaces under balconies;
- bushes;
- basements.
It’s worth starting your search by visiting these places. It is important to understand that a domestic cat that finds itself in the city for the first time experiences fear, stress, and strives to hide from people, cars, and other animals that the streets are full of, so you should start looking for your pet from secluded corners. Often a fallen cat is injured, albeit slightly, so it may not come to the owner’s call.
Important! During the search, you need to listen carefully; it is possible that the lost pet will make itself known with a barely audible meow.
When learning what to do if a cat is lost, many owners use all available means: from visiting all basements to performing magical rituals and reading conspiracies. It can be very difficult to find a kitten, since passers-by who see the baby on the street may decide that the owner has kicked him out and take the cat home with the best of intentions. Kind people can publish announcements about their finds on forums or in groups on social networks, so such posts should also be monitored when searching.
When developing a behavioral strategy and deciding what to do if a cat goes missing, you should not fall into despair. You can only return a fugitive home through active actions; tears cannot help your grief. Therefore, you shouldn’t be lazy, you need to walk through the surrounding yards every morning and evening after work, calling the cat by name, completely ignoring the sidelong glances of passers-by who are amused by someone else’s grief.
Note! In winter, the cat strives to warm up, so it can run into the next doorway in search of warmth. You can walk around all the entrances of nearby houses.
The most common places where missing cats try to stay warm are basements or porches
In the summer, it happens that a forgetful owner did not close the windows on the balcony, which is why the cat could fall, not onto the street, but onto the balcony of the apartments below. You can start your search with your neighbors. A cat can only enter the forest if it is located near the house.
What to do if you find a lost cat
Every day the Murkosha shelter receives calls and messages from different people, all of them have one thing in common: they found a cat or kitten and don’t know what to do next with these foundlings. Every time the hearts of volunteers and employees break, because we are forced to explain that our resources are not limitless - the shelter’s territory is small, the shelter constantly houses about 500 cats at a time, and we do not receive funding from the state. But we want this world to become a better place! And we want all animals to be pets, to be loved. It is not necessary to hand over the animal to a shelter, you can perform a miracle with your own hands and find a home for the found animal, and we will tell you how to do this in our article.
1) Learn to distinguish a domestic cat on the street from a stray one
2) How to help the cat and its owners
3) How to properly catch a lost cat
4) In cramped conditions, but not in a bad way – how to properly place a found cat
5) Information assistance or how to quickly find new owners
Learning to distinguish a domestic cat on the street from a stray one
Unfortunately, some owners let their pets walk on their own. Such animals usually have a well-groomed appearance: the eyes of such cats are clean, the coat is smooth and shiny, the animal is not emaciated and does not show signs of fear or aggression, you can also find a collar on the cat’s neck.
The following should confuse you: the animal is clearly frightened and is in a state of stress and panic, meows (“cries”), the fur has turned into thickets of tangles, the eyes are dirty, the pet is exhausted and hungry, and attacks food uncontrollably.
How to help a cat and its owners
If all the symptoms indicate that the cat is lost and not just wandering around, you have a good mission to help the family reunite. Please do not leave a stressed animal on the street without assistance. Frightened animals huddle in basements, which utility workers diligently wall up, some get hit by cars or simply receive wounds from their brethren in the yard, accustomed to defending their territory. Domestic cats, once outside, are like little children exploring the world, and it is unknown how many dangers await them ahead.
If the cat shows that it was lost quite recently, then its owners can be found quite quickly. It is best to place the cat in an isolated room from which it cannot escape. It is likely that with a little effort you will save her life. How exactly you can help:
- Word of mouth - ask around in the yard to see if anyone has lost a cat;
— Print advertisements (if possible with a color photograph of the found cat); in the advertisement, be sure to indicate the main characteristics of the pet, as well as your exact address and telephone number.
Most likely, the upset owners are already looking for the lost thing around the city and will soon contact you. If you haven’t received a call from the foundling’s former owners, don’t worry, we’ll then tell you how to properly look for new owners for an abandoned pet.
How to catch a lost cat
If the cat itself asks for help and does not run away from passers-by, then everything is simple. You can skip this point and move on to the next one. It is much more difficult if you see that the animal needs help, but it behaves shyly and does not allow strangers to approach it. “Murkosha” welcomes a variety of cats: some of them are affectionate and friendly, others are very cautious and distrustful, but they all equally deserve a chance to be rescued. Caution (which did not arise out of nowhere) is not a reason to refuse help to a cat. Moreover, almost any cat is not so difficult to catch.
Firstly, you should stock up on all the necessary items in advance. You will need a cat-trap (or carrier), a tasty treat, a treat bowl, and most importantly, patience and a positive attitude.
Each of these items has its own function in the capture process. A cat trap is a special trap with a tight-fitting lid, it is professional equipment (not every volunteer needs it), so you can first ask around to see if any animal protection organization will give you a cat trap for a while, for rent; you don’t have to buy it for a one-time catch.
If we couldn’t get a cat catcher, we move on to plan B, using the well-known carrier. The carrier must have a removable lid and a metal door. You really need to pay attention to this, because metals are easy to disinfect, and after catching the animal, you can easily treat such a carrier so that you can continue to use it without fear. In addition, the presence of a door will allow you to use the carrier as a cat-catcher, and the removable lid will provide the opportunity to carefully and without unnecessary stress remove the animal from the carrier. A tasty treat, of course, will serve as an ideal bait, because a lost animal is usually very hungry. Treats should not be poured onto the bare ground; use a plastic bowl to treat your cat.
As for patience, it will definitely come in handy, because your first task will be to instill trust in the soul of a frightened, exhausted animal. Do not rush under any circumstances, start by feeding the found kitten in the morning and evening. Leave the treat near the lost one’s hiding place, and move away to a respectable distance. Every day the distance can be gradually reduced. When the animal gets used to you, try doing the same manipulations, but using a carrier. First, leave the food at the entrance to the carrier, then gradually move the bowl deeper into the structure. As soon as you feel confident that you will have time to run up to the carrier and close the door while the cat is eating, proceed to the actual catching.
It is important to note that any slightest mistake threatens the loss of trust, so use the rule “measure twice, cut once,” otherwise the whole process will have to be repeated again.
There is also an exception to the rules when catching. If you see that the animal is clearly unwell, if it exhibits symptoms such as paralysis, drooling, convulsions, under no circumstances attempt to catch it yourself. The animal may have rabies. This is an extremely dangerous disease that is diagnosed posthumously. If you have the slightest doubt, contact the service for catching stray animals, describing in detail the symptoms of the disease, signs of the animal and the exact address of its location.
In crowded but not mad…
We under no circumstances advise you to place a found cat next to your pets. Still, an animal from the street can be a carrier of various diseases (they are safe for people, but not for cats). First of all, it is necessary to take the foundling to a veterinary clinic and undergo tests to determine the infection status.
More details about the main infections of cats: https://murkosha.ru/nashi-stati/lechenie-i-profilaktika/chto-vam-neobkhodimo-znat-ob-infektsiyakh-koshek
At this time, the found cat is in quarantine. You can place it in the bathroom (WC) or on the balcony. The bathtub is suitable for placement because, as a rule, the same materials are used in the decoration of the room itself as in medical institutions - tiles, metal, enamel. These are precisely the materials that are not at all difficult to disinfect. It can be placed on the balcony only if the temperature allows it, there are no drafts in the room and the cat will feel comfortable there. In both cases, the room must be completely cleared of unnecessary things that you will not be able to properly disinfect later. Of course, all contact with pets is prohibited.
When the test results come back, make sure that everything is in order with the foundling’s health; if not, treat the animal. It is possible to keep a found cat and pets together in the same room only if it is completely healthy and does not release the virus into the environment.
While the cat is in quarantine, try to simultaneously look for its owner. Even if there are no obvious clues to look for (for example, a collar with an address is missing), you will still go to the vet and find out if the foundling has a chip. Also ask your neighbors in the yard if anyone has lost a cat. Pay attention to the advertisements posted on the streets, and do not forget to update the advertisements you have posted.
Information assistance
If you couldn’t find the old owner of the lost thing, don’t be upset. Try to find new parents for the found cat. The world famous network – the Internet – will come to the rescue in this matter. Make the most informative ad with a full description of the appearance and character of the cat. Indicate your contact information, your city, phone number. We also recommend attaching several clear photographs of the found animal to this post.
More details about advertisements for found animals: https://murkosha.ru/nashi-stati/chto-delat-esli/chto-delat-esli-vy-nashli-kota
We ourselves use the instructions described in the article and can say with confidence that these methods work and have already helped thousands of cats from the Murkosha shelter find homes.
You need to post such a post in all thematic groups in your city. Don’t forget also about the well-known sites “Avito”, “I’ll give it for free”, “Yula”. Include word of mouth - tell your friends and colleagues that you have found a kitten who can become a wonderful friend and is now looking for a loving family. Perhaps someone you know has long dreamed of having a pet, but never dared to do it. In any case, do not despair if the search for new owners does not give quick results. Put in your best efforts and they will definitely be rewarded.
What to do if you couldn’t find the cat right away
How to find a dog if it runs away and gets lost
Owners need to know what to do if a cat is lost, and where to start searching for their pet. First of all, you need to determine exactly how the small pet left the home. Possible options:
- if he was released by careless guests, then it is likely that the cat is now in the entrance or has ended up in the attic, if there is access there;
- if a pet falls out of a window, pay attention to which side it happened from. The animal is scared and seeks privacy, so you should look from the side where the fall occurred. Very often it was possible to find the animal under the balconies above the owner’s apartment; the pet itself responded to its name.
Note! The more time passed since the fall, the greater the distance the animal could cover.
If the search “hot on the heels” is not successful, other measures need to be taken. There are several tips that will tell you how to find a cat if it has run away.
Don't despair, if the cat is alive, you can find it with some effort.
Spreading information about a missing cat
All sorts of methods are used for this. In every city there are popular forums where you must post information, photos of the cat and your contact information on them. There will definitely be people who are not indifferent. On social networks, for example, VKontakte, information about a missing pet can be posted in special groups dedicated to lost and found animals, as well as in the “Overheard... (city name)” groups, they have a fairly wide audience. The method is effective even if a lot of time has passed since the loss and the animal could have ended up in another area.
In addition, it is important to print and post missing notices. In some cities they are immediately torn off from notice boards and poles; in this case, distributing leaflets to passers-by will help.
How to create an ad:
- Indicate the cat's breed and approximate age.
- Note the distinctive features that will help distinguish the animal from similar ones, for example, a triangle-shaped birthmark on the neck.
- Indicate contacts, preferably several people (for example, husband and wife), in order to always be in touch and be able to respond urgently.
Note! It’s very good if you can post a photo of the missing cat, preferably in color.
Posting advertisements is an old method, but effective.
Taking steps to get the cat to come back on its own
When studying the question of what to do if a cat goes missing, it is important to understand that only active actions will help return the runaway to the apartment. You need to regularly go around the yards, call your pet by name, even if it is non-standard like Cosine or Pouf, the main thing is that the cat hears the sound of its owner’s voice.
It is necessary to check all the basements of nearby houses, because if a cat accidentally fell or jumped out during heat, then, trying to hide, she could crawl into the basement and sit under the pipes. You need to call the cat loudly and clearly in the wording that is used at home. For example, if Melissa for some reason became Fenya, then Fenya must be called, otherwise the pet will not respond and may disappear forever.
Note! If during the search the cat itself does not speak, but the owner hears the meowing of other cats, you need to check this place. Perhaps this is how males react to a cat in trouble.
Where to get information about accidents involving animals
This is one of the worst-case scenarios, but it is important to be prepared for anything. Some owners allow cats to roam freely, but traffic rules cannot be explained to the animal. Therefore, if an animal runs away from an apartment or private house onto the street, it is important to conduct a check in this direction.
First of all, there are special groups on social networks in which information about road accidents, including those involving pets, is published. Posts may contain photos, as well as information about whether the affected cats are alive and where they are.
Important! You should not think that irresponsible drivers who drive thoughtlessly kill their pets. It also happens that the animal is so afraid that it runs out onto the road suddenly, making it impossible to stop the vehicle.
Attentiveness test: looking for a cat among people's faces in 4 seconds
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We are glad that our beloved readers and followers on social networks have loved the various tests and puzzles that we offer. The secret of success is obvious: why not once again test yourself for attentiveness, for a “sharp eye”? Moreover, in the event of a fiasco, no one will laugh or reproach. In the end, everyone is different.
We have no doubt that today's problem will, as they say, blow your mind. We will look for a cat that is hiding somewhere among people’s faces. The authors of the puzzle believe that you will test three important positions at once: mental acuity, attention and vision. Well, and a bit of visual memory - as a bonus. The picture was created by professional opticians and ophthalmologists, so take the task seriously.
The authors of the problem take only 4 seconds to solve it. Start your stopwatch and take action. We've done it - please accept our congratulations. Your vision works like a Swiss watch, and your brain is capable of solving the largest and most global problems. If you run out of time, don't get discouraged. Take an example from your humble servant: personally, it took me a long 29 seconds to decide. It seems like an adult, sophisticated with a university education. But it didn’t work out like this, on the fly!
Here is the original picture.
However, there is still cause for pride: the creators of the puzzle indicated that the average person finds a cat's face in a picture in 36 seconds (on average). So the initial 4 seconds are a phenomenal, fantastic result. We ask you, dear readers, to leave comments with your own results. We have no doubt that our audience will not disappoint and will show the highest class.
What to do if you didn’t complete the task? Take your time to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. And, we repeat, there is no reason for despondency. Here are the last clues: there is definitely a cat in the picture. And the second hint: look on the left side of the picture. That's it, there are no more hints, don't try to persuade me.
After solving the problem, check your eyesight and attention with your family, loved ones and colleagues. Just for fun. It is also possible to share the puzzle on your social networks. If we’re going to rack our brains, then let’s do it all together!
PS Are there any phenomena among our readers that can be done in 4 seconds? We'll be waiting a lot. See you at ilike.pet!
Material used: Can you spot the cat hiding among the humans – in less than four seconds? Source: wamiz.co.uk Photo: Becky Wright New Leaf Life Design - Facebook (social media).
What to do when your pet is found
Having figured out how to find a cat if it has run away, you need to consider this issue. You should not scold, much less punish, your pet; it is an animal, and physical violence is unacceptable for it. It’s better to show the cat how much you love him, that you missed him and are sincerely glad that he was found.
Note! You can buy your pet a treat, but give it only a little, otherwise he may decide that running away is the easiest way to earn a treat.
Care and attention will help the cat understand that he is loved and expected
The escape or loss of a cat is a great stress for both the animal and its owner. Therefore, it is very important to surround your pet with love and care after returning. Most often, unneutered and unsterilized cats escape. Therefore, if breeding is not part of the owner’s plans, then it is worth considering surgery. It will become an invisible cage that will keep the animal within the house. In addition, it is a well-known fact that sterilized cats love their owners much more and have a calm, good-natured disposition.
