Lost cat: where to look and how to find her again
In short
- A missing cat is often closer than you think, usually hidden and completely silent.
- Start with a thorough search in and around your own house, garden, garage and shed.
- Search at dusk and at night with a torch: that is when cats are most active and everything is quiet.
- Ask your neighbours for permission to look in their garden, shed or cellar.
- Post a report and a poster quickly, so people in the neighbourhood keep an eye out.
Your cat hasn’t come home and your stomach is in knots. Staying calm is hard, but it really helps: people who search in a structured way find their cat more often and more quickly. Below you can read where cats usually hide and how to search smartly.
Why a cat hides
A cat that suddenly finds itself in an unfamiliar environment gets frightened. Many cats don’t respond by calling out or walking home, but by making themselves as small and quiet as possible. That is why your cat sometimes doesn’t even respond to your voice, while it is sitting just a few metres away.
Cats that escaped after a house move, a visit to the vet, a car journey or during fireworks especially tend to stay hidden. It is different for cats that go outside every day: they may have been shut in somewhere or be injured.
Step 1: search your own home thoroughly first
It sounds obvious, but a cat reported missing sometimes turns out to be inside all along. So really look everywhere first:
- in cupboards, the washing machine, the tumble dryer, under beds and in boxes;
- behind the sofa, in the cellar, in the attic and in the storeroom;
- in the garage, the garden shed and under the decking;
- in your car, under the bonnet and in the trailer;
- in gaps between walls, in air ducts and behind suspended ceilings.
Shake a box of kibble and call softly. Wait quietly for a moment each time: a frightened cat sometimes only makes a very faint sound.
Step 2: search the immediate surroundings
Cats that escape often stay close to home. So start by searching within a few dozen metres, then gradually widen your search area to the street and a few neighbouring streets. How far a cat goes varies greatly from animal to animal, so treat this as a guideline rather than a rule.
Typical hiding places outdoors
- dense bushes, hedges and under conifers;
- under cars, caravans and covered boats;
- in neighbours’ garden sheds, outbuildings, garages and cellars;
- under decking, on building sites and in storage rooms of apartment blocks;
- in trees and on roofs, especially if your cat fled upwards in fear;
- in empty buildings, little-used gardens or around bins and containers.
Look up as well, not just at ground level. A cat sitting in a tree can’t always get down by itself and sometimes doesn’t answer.
When is the best time to search?
Search several times a day, but especially at quiet times:
- Early morning and dusk: it is quieter and cats like to move around then.
- Late evening and at night: there is less traffic and noise, so you will hear a response more easily. Use a torch: a cat’s eyes reflect the light.
- During the day: hand out posters and talk to neighbours, postal workers and people who are often in the area.
Ideally search with two people: one who searches and calls calmly, and one who stands still and listens.
Lure your cat back smartly
- Put an item of clothing that smells of you and your cat’s familiar litter tray (with used litter) outside, close to where your cat disappeared.
- In the evening, leave small amounts of strong-smelling food, such as wet food or tuna.
- Leave a window, cat flap or shed door ajar if it is safe to do so.
- Don’t call loudly or in a panic: speak calmly and use a sound your cat knows, such as shaking a bag of food.
Consider a feeder with a camera or a (borrowed) trail camera for the night, so you can see whether your cat comes by. Handy, but certainly not essential.
Get the neighbourhood searching
The more eyes, the better. Post a report straight away on ikbenvermist.be: it is free and you don’t need an account. Your cat will then also appear on the map of reports and people nearby can get in touch with you. On the lost pets page you will also find the steps to take and a printable poster. With the neighbourhood alert, people in the area know that an animal is being searched for.
Also put up posters at bakeries, supermarkets, vets and on lampposts, and call the vets in the area. Don’t forget to have your cat looked up in the microchip database and to keep your details up to date (see our article on DogID and CatID).
Give up? Definitely not
Cats sometimes return after days or even weeks. So keep searching, keep feeding and keep your report active. Also check the reports of found animals near you every day: someone may have taken in your cat without knowing who it belongs to.
See all the figures on lost and found pets in Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
How far does a runaway cat go?
It varies a lot. Many cats stay close by and hide, others wander further. First search your own neighbourhood very thoroughly, then expand step by step.
Should I search at night?
It is definitely a good idea. It is quieter, cats are more likely to come out of hiding, and with a torch you can see their eyes light up. Do respect the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood.
How long does a cat stay missing?
That can vary greatly: sometimes a few hours, sometimes weeks. Don’t give up, and keep your report, posters and feeding spot going for as long as your cat hasn’t come back.