| The reason none of these measures are very effective has little to do with the method. Most of the time if a pet goes missing, it's dead by the time such measures are taken or very soon after. Taking measures to avoid the disappearance in the first place can be more effective. If you have a cat that goes outside, making sure it's neutered massively decreases the areas they cover and risk of run-ins with other cats or predators. Having a cat flap is a huge help because the cat won't get stuck outside and go looking for shelter. Avoid collars because they get stuck on branches(even the ones that are designed to come undone easily can) And for fuck sake, the number of people who don't realise their short haired cats can't handle winter conditions... I see a lot of missing notices for shorthairs in the winter. Often with days or even weeks since they disappeared. All dead, almost guaranteed. And this goes for longhairs too, if less so. I have a Norwegian forest cat, who is better suited for cold weather even than most longhairs, and he barely goes outside at temps below -10C, and only very briefly. Longhairs still easily get frostbite on their ears, nose, and paws at those temps. If you're letting your cat outside at all in these conditions, you better have a flap or otherwise let them in immediately when they ask for it. Yes, even when you just let them out 5 minutes ago. |
> Avoid collars…
This is bad information. Please don’t spread it.
Lost dogs are recovered at about a 90% rate, and lost cats at about 75%. Collars are very helpful. Use a safety collar.
If your pet is lost, get help from people who know how to find them. If possible call a local group. This directory is a great place to start in the US https://www.missinganimalresponse.com/mar-directory/