This is what you must do if your cat is lost

You call their name. You check under the furniture. You step outside… nothing. And then your stomach drops: your cat is gone. This is the moment to act quickly and smartly. This week, we’re giving you a clear step-by-step plan you can easily grab if your cat ever goes missing.

Step 1 — Stay calm, no matter how hard it is

We get it: you want to run, shout and do everything at once to find your cat. But panic makes you lose focus.
Do this in the first 2 minutes:

Check everywhere in the house to make sure your cat is truly gone and not just hiding
Look in familiar hiding spots: wardrobe, bed base, laundry basket, loft, behind curtains
Listen carefully, sometimes you’ll only hear a tiny meow

Important: A scared cat often stays completely silent. Don’t assume too quickly: “they’re gone.”

Step 2 — Search smart in the first 6 hours

Many people make the same mistake: they search too far away too soon.
Most cats stay close at first.
They’re often found:

In the garden
Under a car
In a shed
Under bushes
At a neighbour’s house (accidentally shut inside)

What also helps:

Search within a 50–100 metre radius
Check every place a cat could hide
Ask neighbours if they can:
○ Check sheds and garages
○ Leave windows or gates open for a while

💡 Tip: Search especially in the evening or at night. It’s quieter, and cats feel safer coming out.

Step 3 — Lure your cat back with scent, routine or a familiar sound

Cats respond best to things that smell like home.
Try this:

Put their litter tray outside (the scent carries far)
Place a worn T-shirt or blanket outside
Try calling them using the sound of their food
Speak softly and calmly (no shouting)

And yes — you can put food out, but keep in mind:

It may attract other cats
Ideally, put food out at set times, so your cat learns: “I can safely come here to eat”

Step 4 — Report your cat missing straight away

If your cat has been gone for several hours, it also helps to become active online immediately.
Post your cat on:

Amivedi
Lost & found Facebook groups (your area/city)
Nextdoor or neighbourhood apps (if used in your area)

Always include:

Microchip number (if available)
Name / call name
A clear close-up photo
Date and location of disappearance
Distinctive features (e.g. white paws, crooked ear)

💡 Tip: Also make a second post with just: “MISSING CAT – [PLACE]” as the title. That’s what people click on.

Smart searching makes all the difference

When your cat is missing, you want one thing: to get them back quickly. The best way to do that is to stay calm and search smart. Start close to home, search at the right times, use scent and routine to lure them back, and report them missing straight away. The sooner you follow this plan, the greater the chance your cat will be home again soon.