Lost cats, stray cats

Cats stray, get lost and found. A lost cat or a stray is frightened and needs help till found. Remember, he may think you have abandoned him, not that he has strayed. This means regaining his trust when he does turn up.

Give your cat a name

It is always best to give him a name and to call him by using it in a certain tone or series of tones. Two syllables or two tones are perhaps best. When you call, he will then be able to answer, and if he is lost you might be able to trace him this way. But don't think he does not know his name anyway. Just an ordinary conversation with other human beings in which his name is casually mentioned will often lead to his pricking up his ears. He knows when you are talking about him. The widespread belief that cats feel more connexion to a place than to a person is untrue, but they do need to feel they have a home place.

Indentification, photos, microchips

Cats can stray, though, so take a few photos; you may need them one day. Think about having a chip installed, so that it can be traced. If a stray cat moves in with you, get it scanned immediately for a microchip: if one is found, you will be able to find the owner.

RSPCA and SPCA

In Great Britain, you can also search for lost cats on various internet sites called for lost moggies. Often they also have links to other Lost Pet sites. But remember there is the RSPCA you can turn to in Great Britain, in the USA look for your local SPCA.