By: Dr. Roberta Westbrook, Chief Animal Welfare and Medical Officer at Houston SPCA.
- Set a humane cat trap with some of their favorite food inside. A frightened cat’s instinct is to hide in silence. Most cats tend to stay in the general vicinity from which they disappeared. It is rare that they would wander out of the immediate neighborhood unless they were picked up as a lost animal.
- Use social media to post pictures and details of your lost cat on local Facebook groups, Nextdoor and other online community boards. Mention distinguishing characteristics like unique markings or personality traits. Be sure to use language such as “lost orange tabby” for example, so it’s clear to others and they will be quick to share.
- Visit the Lost Pet Resource Center at HoustonSPCA.org to view found animals in their care along, file a lost pet report and use other listed resources.
- Post flyers with an updated photo and detailed description of your pet around the neighborhood.
- If your pet is microchipped, contact the microchip company and let them know your pet is missing. Most microchip companies can send out an alert to nearby veterinary clinics and shelters.
- Contact your local animal control agencies and animal shelters.
- Update your voicemail message to make sure callers hear details about your missing pet in the event they have information about your pet.
