The First 72 Hours Are Critical

About 50% of lost cats are found within 7 days. The actions you take in the first 72 hours give you the highest chance of recovery. Use this checklist to make sure you don't miss anything.

Hour 0-1: Immediate Action

  • ☐ Search your home thoroughly (closets, under furniture, behind appliances).
  • ☐ Search your yard and within 50 metres.
  • ☐ Check under porches, decks, sheds, and cars.
  • ☐ Place your cat's litter box outside.
  • ☐ Place worn clothing outside as a scent lure.
  • ☐ Place food and water outside.
  • ☐ Post your lost cat alert on Cat Reunite.
  • ☐ Notify immediate neighbours (knock on 5-10 doors).
  • ☐ Check your home security cameras (if any).

Hour 1-6: Expand Search

  • ☐ Set up a humane trap baited with tuna.
  • ☐ Search within 3 blocks (200 metres).
  • ☐ Knock on every door within 3 blocks.
  • ☐ Check sheds, garages, and outbuildings (with permission).
  • ☐ Use a flashlight to check hiding spots.
  • ☐ Post in local Facebook lost-pet groups.
  • ☐ Post on Nextdoor.
  • ☐ Use our poster generator to create flyers.
  • ☐ Print 50+ flyers.

Hour 6-24: Aggressive Search

  • ☐ Distribute flyers within 1 mile.
  • ☐ Post flyers at vet clinics, pet stores, and grocery stores.
  • ☐ Notify every vet within 5 miles.
  • ☐ Notify every shelter within 5 miles.
  • ☐ Notify animal control.
  • ☐ Search at dawn (4-6am) with a flashlight.
  • ☐ Search at dusk (7-9pm) with a flashlight.
  • ☐ Check traps every 2-3 hours.
  • ☐ Refresh food and scent lures.
  • ☐ Re-post on social media (visibility fades).

Hour 24-48: Persistent Search

  • ☐ Continue dawn and dusk searches.
  • ☐ Expand flyer radius to 1 mile.
  • ☐ Check shelters in person.
  • ☐ Set up trail cameras at food stations (if available).
  • ☐ Place flour/baby powder around food to track paw prints.
  • ☐ Re-post on social media with updated info.
  • ☐ Check with mail carriers and delivery drivers.
  • ☐ Contact local rescue groups for help.
  • ☐ Refresh traps and food.

Hour 48-72: Expand Search

  • ☐ Expand flyer radius to 2 miles.
  • ☐ Notify vets and shelters within 10 miles.
  • ☐ Post flyers at every intersection within 2 miles.
  • ☐ Consider a paid Facebook ad targeting your area.
  • ☐ Contact local media (newspaper, radio).
  • ☐ Continue dawn and dusk searches.
  • ☐ Maintain food stations and traps.
  • ☐ Check shelter websites daily for new intakes.
  • ☐ Update your Cat Reunite alert with any new info.

Essential Items Checklist

  • ☐ Flashlight (with fresh batteries).
  • ☐ Humane trap.
  • ☐ Tuna in oil (bait).
  • ☐ Cat carrier.
  • ☐ Towel or blanket.
  • ☐ Flyers (50+).
  • ☐ Tape and thumbtacks.
  • ☐ Litter box (used).
  • ☐ Worn clothing.
  • ☐ Food and water bowls.
  • ☐ Trail camera (if available).
  • ☐ Phone with your cat's photo.

Search Location Checklist

Check these spots systematically:

  • ☐ Under porches and decks.
  • ☐ In sheds and outbuildings.
  • ☐ In garages (especially if open).
  • ☐ Under cars (check wheel wells and engines).
  • ☐ In basements and crawl spaces.
  • ☐ In dense bushes and hedges.
  • ☐ In storm drains (call animal control).
  • ☐ In woodpiles and stored items.
  • ☐ In open outbuildings and barns.
  • ☐ Under mobile homes.
  • ☐ In laundry rooms (apartment buildings).
  • ☐ In stairwells (apartment buildings).

Online Posting Checklist

  • ☐ Cat Reunite (post-lost.php).
  • ☐ Local Facebook lost-pet groups (3-5 groups).
  • ☐ Nextdoor neighbourhood.
  • ☐ Craigslist lost and found.
  • ☐ PawBoost.
  • ☐ PetFBI.
  • ☐ Local newspaper online classifieds.
  • ☐ Local Reddit community.
  • ☐ Ring Neighbors app.
  • ☐ Local lost-pet websites.

Notification Checklist

  • ☐ Every vet within 5 miles.
  • ☐ Every shelter within 5 miles.
  • ☐ Animal control.
  • ☐ Local police non-emergency line.
  • ☐ Mail carriers.
  • ☐ Delivery drivers (UPS, FedEx, Amazon).
  • ☐ Local rescue groups.
  • ☐ Local pet stores.
  • ☐ Local groomers.
  • ☐ Local animal hospitals.

Don't Do This

  • ☐ Don't chase your cat if you see it.
  • ☐ Don't shout — it scares cats.
  • ☐ Don't give up after 24 hours.
  • ☐ Don't rely only on social media.
  • ☐ Don't forget to check shelters in person.
  • ☐ Don't leave food outside without a trap.
  • ☐ Don't assume your cat has left the area.
  • ☐ Don't stop searching after a week.

FAQ

What should I do first when my cat goes missing?

Search your home thoroughly — cats often hide inside. Then search your yard and within 50 metres. Place scent lures outside and post your alert on Cat Reunite.

How many flyers should I print?

Print at least 50 flyers for the first 24 hours. Expand to 100+ as you expand your search radius.

Should I offer a reward?

Rewards can motivate neighbours to search. State a specific amount (e.g., "$200 REWARD") on your flyers. Be cautious of scams.

How often should I check traps?

Check traps every 2-3 hours. In hot or cold weather, check more frequently to avoid harming trapped animals.

Take Action Now

Print this checklist and tick off each step. Post your alert, use our poster generator, and read our complete search guide.