Can’t find your kitty anywhere? Don’t panic, but don’t delay either. Most lost cats are found when owners act quickly and follow proven steps like those in this guide. Starting your search immediately increases the chances your cat will remain nearby and return home sooner. Use this step-by-step guide to maximise your chances of finding your lost cat quicker.
1. Search inside first
Before searching outside or moving on to the next steps, thoroughly check everywhere inside your house at least three times. Look in every cupboard, wardrobe, box, drawer, basket and appliance (e.g. dishwasher, washing machine). Don’t forget to check under and behind all furniture and beds, as well as in small spaces where they might be hiding.
2. Check the immediate outside area
Check all balconies, the sides of your yard, drains and the area immediately surrounding your property, including nearby roads and bushes. If your cat is timid or indoor-only, they are likely hiding nearby. They could be hiding under a car or up a tree. If the cat is used to being outdoors then they might have travelled a lot further. Look inside your car and other vehicles, and knock on neighbours’ doors to ask if they’ve seen your cat. It is vital to search at night as well because cats are more active at night (e.g. from 10pm) when it is quiet and there are less people and cars around. Use a flashlight to spot their eyes reflecting in the dark. Bring along BBQ chicken (or dry treats/food in a bowl to shake if that’s their preference) to try lure them out, but keep in mind that they may still choose to hide.
3. Ensure the microchip is up-to-date
Find your cat’s 15-digit microchip number which should be located on their adoption, purchase or vet paperwork. If you can’t locate it, contact your local council for assistance – they may be able to find the microchip number with your address. If no luck, call your vet as they may have recorded it on their system. Once you have the microchip number, call your council to look up the microchip and ensure that your contact details are up to date. Make sure your mobile number, a close friend or relative’s number, and your email are all listed on the microchip. This is vital so you can get contacted immediately if someone finds your cat and brings them into a vet clinic or shelter. There are 6 different microchip registers in Australia, and NSW has their own register. If your cat isn’t microchipped, it can be much harder for the to be returned, if found. For more information about microchips and how to update them, see our updating microchips guide.
4. Check and post on social media
Search local community Facebook groups to see if someone has found your cat. Many areas have dedicated “lost and found pets” Facebook groups – join them and check for recent posts. Then create a Lost Cat Poster with a clear, high-quality photo of your cat and post about your missing cat with the lost cat poster on all the relevant local pages you can find. In the post, include the cat’s name, colour and gender as well as the suburb they went missing from (so it can be searchable in case someone finds your cat down the track) and any distinctive markings to help others identify them.
5. Lure them home
Place your cat’s favourite food or a strong-smelling treat (like tuna or sardines) and fresh water near your front or back door to help lure them back. Refresh the food/treat regularly so the smell carries. Cats have a strong sense of smell and are drawn to familiar scents, so you can also leave a blanket, your worn (and unwashed) clothing, or towel with their scent on it outside to encourage them to stay nearby. DO NOT leave a dirty litter tray outside as it can attract aggressive cats which can deter your cat from returning home and it can create other risks. Leave a door or window open if it’s safe to do so.
6. Check CCTV & Search a wider area with flyers
Check with neighbours to see if they have CCTV cameras that may have captured your cat and the direction they could be in. The cat may have also gone further so create flyers with our Lost Cat Poster Generator and print them. Post them on street poles and in letterboxes to increase visibility. Confident cats and those who are used to being outside can easily travel several hundred meters, so expand your search beyond the immediate area if required. Ask neighbours to check their yards and garages at the same time.
7. Set up a pet camera
Install a pet camera near your cat’s belongings (see previous step) and/or traps (see below point) to monitor if your cat or another animal is nearby. A camera can help you spot your cat and track and patterns in the times that they return.
8. Set humane cat traps
Humane traps can be one of the most effective ways to bring your cat home. Since you can’t monitor and try to catch your cat 24/7, a trap can do the job for you. Traps are especially useful for timid cats and cats who are not familiar with being outdoors as they may be too scared to enter a carrier and could run away if approached. For some timid cats, a trap will likely be the only way the cat will return home. You can try reaching out in local community Facebook pages or cat rescue groups to borrow a trap, or you may be able to hire one from places like Kennards Hire. Trapping tips:
- Keep the trap out of the hot sun.
- Use strong-smelling cat food like BBQ chicken or tuna (ensure the food is safe for cats).
- Leave a trail of food leading up to the trap.
- Cover the trap except for the entry.
- Let your neighbours know you’re trying to trap your cat and ask if they can keep their cats inside for now.
- Traps shouldn’t be left unattended for too long. Keep checking and also replace the food so it is fresh.
- Consider using multiple traps in different places to increase your chances of success.
- For more trapping tips, visit the Alley Cat Allies website.
9. Contact vet clinics, pounds and shelters
If your cat is found, they may be taken to a vet clinic, pound or animal shelter. If your cat is microchipped and the information is up-to-date, you should be contacted. But if not, you likely won’t be notified. Regularly check the websites of at least three pounds near where the cat is missing from and email vet clinics with your lost cat flyer. Every council area has a designated pound, so visit your local council’s website to confirm which pound your cat may have been taken to.
10. Hire a pet detective
If your cat is still missing after exhausting other options, consider hiring a reputable pet detective. They specialise in locating lost pets and can provide expert assistance to help reunite you with your cat.
Beware of scams
- If someone claims to have found your cat, they cannot charge a reclaim or finder’s fee. Be cautious of anyone requesting money to return your cat and do not pay them. However, if your cat ends up at a shelter, the shelter will charge a reclaim fee which is standard practice.
- While there are reputable pet detective companies, be wary of unsolicited messages from individuals or ‘organisations’ claiming to offer this service.
Is the cat still missing?
If your cat is still missing and has an up-to-date microchip, it is possible that someone may have mistaken your cat for a stray and started feeding them. Regularly repeat the relevant steps here and search the same areas regularly. Consider offering a reward to encourage people to help search or provide information. Sometimes lost cats are found and returned home months or even years after they go missing so don’t give up!
Has your cat returned home?
Great news! Be sure to take down any posters you’ve put up and update your social media posts so people know your cat is safely home. To help prevent this from happening again (as next time the cat may never return home, or even worse – get hit by a car):
- Ensure your cat remains strictly indoor-only (or allowed in a secure, outdoor run)
- Ensure the cat is microchipped with up-to-date microchip details
- Keep a breakaway collar and engraved tag on the cat at all times
- (if not already done) Desex your cat, as this greatly reduces roaming behaviour
- Check doors and windows are secure before leaving the house
- Provide plenty of enrichment indoors (toys, scratching posts, climbing spaces etc) so your cat doesn’t try to escape out of boredom
