Lost kitten or cat
- Contact your local council pound. Descriptions of cats can vary greatly, and collars and tags can come off, so try to visit the pound to check for your cat. Repeat visits may be necessary until the cat is found. Take a cat carrier and documentation such as council registration papers, vaccination certificates, pedigree papers or photos.
- If your cat is not found, leave a description of it, when and where it was lost, and your name and number.
- Call and visit neighbouring pounds, animal shelters and vet clinics (Animal shelters are listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Animal Welfare Organisations’)
- Ask neighbours if they have seen your cat. Search the neighbourhood and call your cat, particularly at night.
- Put notices in local shop windows.
- Keep descriptions general so you can differentiate between a genuine and a nuisance caller by requesting they give you a more detailed description of the cat.
- Finally, put a ‘Lost and Found’ notice in newspapers and notify radio stations that offer free announcements. (See ‘Radio Stations’ in the Yellow Pages).
If your cat is registered and identified, any council or animal shelter that takes it in will notify you in writing within four days of impoundment. Councils must hold all identified impounded cats for eight days. It is important you begin looking for your lost cat as soon as you realise it is missing. If you do not reclaim your cat within eight days, council may rehouse or euthanase your cat.