We’re so sorry you’ve lost your cat. Following these instructions will give you the best chance of getting your cat back home safely and quickly. The biggest mistake people make when they lose a cat is giving up the search too soon. Be persistent and don’t lose hope. We’ve seen many cats be returned to their families after months and years of being lost. 

1. Double check your house. Oftentimes lost cats are found hiding in their home the entire time. Carefully check inside all your furniture, closets, etc. 
2. Contact your cat’s microchip company to alert them your cat is missing. If you have not registered your cat’s chip, make sure you do so. An unregistered chip cannot easily be traced back to the animal’s owner. 
3. Report your cat as missing to your local animal control officer, nearby shelters and impound facilities. Follow up with them regularly. In New Jersey the animal control officer or service will differ by municipality. You can find out who services your area from your local municipal office or police station. Some local agencies are listed below.
   1. St. Hubert’s (Branchburg) – 908-526-3330
   2. Animal Control Solutions – 908-722-1271
4. Make flyers with your cat’s picture, a description, date and location where the cat was last seen and contact information. Share flyers with neighbors, local animal control agencies, shelters, impound facilities, and vet hospitals. Refresh flyers every few weeks.
5. Make large colorful posters and post them throughout your neighborhood. Make sure the poster is simple, bright and easy to read. Refresh and update these posters every few weeks. 
6. Offer a reward. This can be small, and you don’t have to disclose the amount up front. This will get people’s attention and incentivize them to keep a look out for your cat.
7. Try to trap your cat with a humane trap. This works best for indoor only cats. Indoor cats don’t travel far when they get out. The cat is most likely very close by, but too scared to come out to you. A trap is the most important tool in getting back lost cats. Tabby’s Place has traps available to borrow. 

Please note: If your cat goes in and out of the house normally, a trap is less likely to be helpful. In this case, be sure to ask your neighbors to check their garages and sheds. Your cat may have accidentally gotten trapped somewhere.

1. Place items with a familiar scent inside or by the trap. Use a familiar blanket, a shirt, pillow case or other items from your home. 
2. Leave a screened porch or laundry room door open to the outside at night if you can do so safely.  Place some food in the room and monitor the area. Some cats will make their way back into their house on their own at night. Watch out for wild animals!
3. Call for your cat, especially at night. Use a soothing tone and stay close to your house. Hearing your voice will be comforting and draw your cat near. Some cats may also respond to the recording of another cat.
4. Set up a wildlife camera in your yard to see if your cat is visiting the area at night. You can also set cameras up in areas where there are reported sightings of your cat. 
5. Check the sites below for postings of found cats. You can also post your kitty as lost on these sites. 
   1. www.pawboost.com 
   2. www.petfinder.com 
   3. www.facebook.com  – search the following pages:
      1. Lost and Found Pets New Jersey
      2. Lost or Found Pets in New Jersey
      3. Lost and Found Philly
      4. Lost and Found Pets – Hunterdon County