July has been named National Lost Pet Prevention Month. Losing a furry companion, even temporarily, is a harrowing experience no owner or caregiver ever wants to go through. By following our safety tips below, you can lower the risk of your cats becoming lost and help ensure they can find their way back home.
1. Microchip Your Cats
The importance of microchipping your cat, registering the microchip, and keeping your information up to date cannot be overstated. Cats who are microchipped are far more likely to be returned to their families—which is critical when far too many shelters do not have humane, lifesaving programs and still kill cats in their care.
Read more about how to microchip your cats here.
2. Keep Records
Always have photos and descriptions of your cats and any community cats you care for on hand in case they are lost. For owned cats, have some photos with you in them to provide proof of ownership. This is also extremely helpful and important in the event of a natural disaster.
Alley Cat Allies’ cat identification guide and worksheet can help you accurately describe and record your cats’ physical characteristics.
3. Tech Up
If your cat escapes or wanders off, a security camera or system such as Ring can be useful for showing you which direction they went.
Joining apps like NextDoor will allow you to reach out to neighbors and local businesses in the event your cat gets lost.
4. Limit Escape Routes
One of the most common ways for indoor cats to become lost is escaping out the front door. Make sure all the doors in your home, including storm and screen doors, are not only closed, but securely latched. Keep windows, especially ground-level ones, shut.
If you need to have your door open for an extended period of time—for example, while carrying groceries or moving furniture in or out—put your cats in a secure room. Make sure the room is stocked with everything the cats need, including food, water, toys, linens or cat beds, and a litter box.
5. Inform Your Guests
If you have house guests staying over or if you are having a party, make sure all guests know whether your cats are allowed outside. Have them keep an eye out for the cats when entering or exiting the home.
Guests can be stressful for cats, so it’s also a good idea to set up a comfortable room the cats can escape to and feel safe. This can double as your secure room for confining them while the door is open and people are going in and out of the house.
6. Avoid Traveling with Cats
Have a sitter check in on your cats if you’re going away instead of bringing them with you. They’ll most likely be less stressed if they stay in their own home, and you avoid any mishaps on the road or at the airport.
If you have no choice but to travel with cats, make sure they are in a very secure carrier so they do not escape.
7. Prepare for Noise
Events like thunderstorms and fireworks can be very distressing for pets, and it is all too common for cats and dogs to bolt during a fireworks display.
Bring your cats inside if you know there will be fireworks displays or if thunderstorms are in the forecast (for more severe weather and natural disasters, see our disaster preparedness page).
To help keep cats calm:
- Use a pheromone spray such as Feliway.
- Turn on a white noise machine, fan, or air conditioner, and/or throw on the TV or some music to help drown out the noise outside.
- Consider getting your cat a compression vest such as a ThunderShirt if she is comfortable wearing it.
- Create safe hiding spots for your cat—provide her with a covered cat bed or create one using a blanket and cardboard box.
- Keep your cat company, but don’t force her to interact or confine her to a particular area (unless you are confining her temporarily while people are moving in and out of the house to avoid her darting out the door).
If your cat is still exhibiting signs of anxiety, such as shaking, drooling, increased heart rate, inappropriate bathroom habits, or suppressed appetite, consult a veterinarian right away.