It is a heartbreaking & desperate feeling to have lost a pet! Our team has compiled the following resources, tips, and research-based information to get you started RIGHT NOW on your search!

What YOU Can Do Now:

• Review the remainder of this Resource page. This has critical information that we have compiled carefully to give you the very best chances of bringing your pet back home!

• Complete the LOST CAT CHECKLIST below. Every task is a simple and effective strategy that does not require any kind of special skill or tool. Use our tips to make it easy, and please recruit family & friends to help!

• Reach out to us by phone, Facebook, \or email for additional assistance if you need it! We are happy to jump in and help when we can!

• CHECK YOUR HOUSE + CRAWL SPACE & THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY & ALERT CLOSE NEIGHBORS - cats typically do not go more than a mile from home unless chased or accidently transported.

• SET OUT FOOD, WATER, & AND AN ITEM WITH THE OWNER’S SCENT AT THE PLACE CAT WAS LOST

  • Think stinky, novel foods like tuna, protein grease, sardines, etc. Cut old rags into strips and soak in sardine/tuna juice, then hang on bushes and fences around point of loss. this is called CHUMMING. Choose to hang on items that move in the wind to help move the scent.

  • Dirty laundry works great for owner-scented items (socks, underwear, pillow case, etc). Change out every 12 hours for optimal scent

• REPORT CAT AS LOST TO YOUR LOCAL SHELTER & CHECK BACK OFTEN

  • Which shelter? CHECK HERE

  • Check “found pets” pages of area shelter’s websites CONTINUOUSLY!

• REPORT CAT AS LOST TO THE CATS MICROCHIP COMPANY & VETERINARIAN

  • Ensure your contact information is up-to-date with BOTH

  • Not sure your pet’s microchip number? Call clinic/shelter/rescue/breeder microchip was placed by

  • Not sure what microchip company to call? CHECK HERE

  • Microchip not registered? Register for free with:

    • Michelson Found Animals

    • Pet FBI

• MAKE BIG EYE-CATCHING POSTERS & PLACE AT MAIN INTERSECTIONS IN LOST AREA

  • #POSTERSWORK - SEE HERE for the cheapest and most effective way to do them!

• USE A RECENT PHOTO TO CREATE A FLYER WITH IMPORTANT INFO (DO NOT INCLUDE NAME)

  • SEE EXAMPLE HERE

  • Print & hand out to mailmen, neighbors, local businesses, etc. in the area

  • Email flyer to all vets in your area.

    • Ada County

    • Canyon County

    • Elmore County

    • Gem County

    • Owyhee County

    • Valley County

    • Washington County

• POST FLYER ON SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Local Lost Pet Facebook Groups

  • Other platforms to use: Pawboost, NextDoor, & Craigslist

OTHER IMPORTANT INFO

• NEVER CHASE! This only pushes the cat farther away and distracts them from avoiding cars & other dangers. If you are following a cat and it is running away from you, this is considered chasing.

  INSTEAD - Go out at night with a flash light in the area lost and check bushes and places that they could hide. Look up in trees and check out buildings in the area (sheds/garages).

• Cats often return to the place they were lost from at some point! (Especially if the cat was displaced from an accident, spooked by another animal, in unfamiliar territory, etc). It is VERY important to monitor the place they were lost for as long as possible.

  • Use a camera such as a trail camera or security camera, if you are able, to help monitor activity in the area. These can be purchased on Amazon. We have these available for owners we are working with. Once there is a sighting - a trap can be placed. Please see our HOW TO TRAP tab.

  • If it is safe to do so, consider sleeping at the location as well. This makes you very non-threatening, allowing your cat time to register your scent. You may just wake up to your furry friend!