Lost and Found

I Lost My Cat

Did you know that the MCPAWS Return to Owner Rate (RTO) for dogs is 82% and yet we are only able to reunite 6% of stray cats with their original owners? There are many different reasons for this disparity, but at the shelter, it comes down to microchipping. The overwhelming majority of stray dogs brought to the shelter are microchipped, while we almost never receive stray cats that are already microchipped.

If your cat does go missing, please try the following tips, tricks, and resources:

• Call the shelter! We receive stray cats all the time, yet most cat owners do not check the shelter when their kitty goes missing.
• Put up Missing Cat Fliers in the area your cat was last seen.
• Check in with your neighbors. Often a well-meaning neighbor may take your cat in to their own home if they think he or she is lost.
• Check close by. Cats lost outside are consistently found very close to home (within 1/3 of mile). Check under porches, cars, or other objects and remember, if they’re scared they may stay quiet and hidden
• Still no luck? Check out these additional resources to help you locate your missing friend:
  • https://bestfriends.org/resources/how-find-lost-cat
  • https://www.petfinder.com/blog/2013/09/top-10-tips-for-finding-lost-cats/
  • https://www.missinganimalresponse.com/lost-cat-behavior/