Learn your cats temperament
Click the link at the bottom of the page for your next step.

In order to begin the groundwork in your search for your lost pet you will need to have an understanding about your pet's temperament and personality. Their temperament will have a huge impact on what happens to them. Later, we will break it down into what is more likely to happen to your pet based on each temperament that is discussed.

1-The curious, friendly, lap cat type.
These cats, like the friendly dog, are not afraid of strangers and will quickly go up and ask for a rub. They want to be near you and will follow you around to makes sure you are doing everything just right.

2-The more reserved, I’ll come to you on my own terms, distant type.
These cats take a more wait and see approach. If all feels safe and comfortable will come out and give you a sniff to see if you meet their standards, if so, they might visit for a while, and then return to their special throne.

3- The guarded, on alert, wary type.
These cats are more likely to retreat to a place they find more stable when a friend comes over for a visit, and reappear after they are gone. These cats are somewhat fearful of new things, and would rather that you never did anything different.

4- The terrified, anxious, nervous type.
These cats will bolt in fear and will hide for long periods of time. They are not tolerant of change. They are not sociable, and do not enjoy spending time with people or other animals.

Learn what happens to lost cats with certain temperaments?

When a cat becomes lost or is missing, the fact of either being an indoor only cat, or being an indoor/outdoor access cat greatly effects what happens or what may have happened to your cat.

1-The curious, friendly, lap cat type.
If this cat type is an indoor only cat who finds themselves on the outside, they may have a tendency to explore their new surroundings with caution. They are obviously more likely to walk up to someone who may decide to keep them or hopefully try and locate their owner.
Anytime a indoor/outdoor access cat “disappears”, or as many of my callers have described, “it is just like they vanished into thin air” usually means something has happened within the cats territory. This could mean your cat may have jumped into a vehicle and is now unintentionally transported into another area, or they might have been pushed from their territory by another more aggressive cat or another animal. This is a big one…getting trapped inside of a neighbors garage or shed.

2-The more reserved, I’ll come to you on my terms, distant type.
They may hide, and after a short amount of time come out and explore.

3- The guarded, on alert, wary type.
These cats along with the terrified, nervous cats are more likely to hide and not come out for sometime. As I learned in a animal behavioral class by Kat Albrecht there is a period of time they will hide and between the tenth and twenty first day they start venturing out more from their hiding place. This is true. Although it does not fit every single lost or missing cat case it is a good piece of information to keep in mind, so that you are really working hard during the time they are more likely to move.

4- The terrified, anxious, nervous type.
Very similar to the above mention.

There are several differences in working a lost cat case rather than a lost dog case.
One, they are a cat of course.
Two, there really are not many scenarios concerning lost cats.
Three, they don’t travel as far as a dog would.
Four, you normally are focusing all your efforts in a much smaller area.

The most common calls that come in for cats are, ” I just moved and my cat bolted out the door”. ” My indoor/outdoor access cat did not come home.” “It is like my cat just vanished”.

Cats typically stay within the area they are lost in. Unless something like a dog or a more aggressive cat pushes them further away.  It is very common for cats to hide in small places and stay there for some time. It is also a regular occurrence that a cat finds themselves trapped inside what was an open invitation to a quiet, very interesting, garage or shed. It is very important to check with neighbors with garages, outbuildings and especially crawl spaces.

 It has also been said that most cats that escape are at some point taken by predator, namely the coyote. I am not convinced of this statement. Or it is just different, in different parts of the states.

Cats, I have found to be very capable of surviving, and taking care of themselves once they have escaped. Let’s face it, there are those cats who just want to be outside and the first open door they see they will take the opportunity. Although this is not our same idea, some cats, like some dogs seem almost in a happy state of being, roaming around all over creation.

I know that we sometimes humanize our pets to the point that we do forget they are first animal. They do have instincts that are part of them that allow them to survive until we can get them back home. You have hope!

Scenarios that are common to lost pets

Let's look at some of the typical scenarios that happen to lost pets. These are some specific scenarios that may, or could happen to your pet. I will be listing titles that are commonly used terms in the world of lost pets when speaking about things that happen to them when they are lost or seem to just disappear.
 

Unintentional Displaced
By this I mean your pet may enter into a car that has a window down, workman’s van, or moving company that has left the door open while working or loading. A cat especially may remain quiet and hidden for hours, and may go unnoticed indefinitely. Then the cat escapes when the vehicle has stopped and is being unloaded. The scariest part of this is now your pet could be miles, or even states away. This is why if you allow your pets to roam freely, you need to be well aware of who or what is coming and going from your neighborhood. This could also mean your pet has entered into a neighbor’s garage, shed, crawl space, or even a home and now has been unintentionally displaced and is not able to escape. Be sure that you are searching all areas very meticulously even if you are told “that building has not been opened for years”.  You could have a very fearful, silent pet, that is well hidden because they are in an unfamiliar place.

Intentional Displacement
Intentional displacement of a pet is usually by someone who is not fond of your pet, which can be for a variety of reasons. Some of the common reasons involving cats would be that the neighbors may be irritated that the cat is leaving paw prints on their car, catching and killing birds, and other small animals. The cat may be using their garden as a giant litter box. Some common reasons involving dogs include, excessive barking, using the bathroom in other people’s yards, and the dog may be chasing the neighbor’s cat. When someone intentionally removes a pet from the area, there are usually three things that they may be considering. One, taking the pet and relocating it to another area. Two, capturing the pet and taking it to the shelter. Three, harming or even killing the pet.

The Rescued Pet
A "rescuer" is someone who sees themselves as a Good Samaritan and in most cases are just that. The exceptions would be those who take no action in trying to locate the owner of the pet they just picked up. I have to say this scenario kind of hits home for me, because I believe it was someone who took in my lost Labrador without trying to locate me, and/or ignored all of our advertisements. When someone tells me they "found" this great pet, I always think to myself, I wonder who they belong to? In the words of Kat Albrecht, "Think Lost, NOT Stray." Side note... Bless all those who do take it upon themselves to gather up the lost, and do try to locate, and then place pets in great homes!

Predators
There seems to be a great debate on this scenario, namely coyotes attacking cats. It has been my experience in the areas that I have worked this does not happen as much as some think. Although this scenario does occur it is not as prevalent, as the fact that the pet is hiding or has been picked up. I have heard it said by other Pet Detectives that this scenario is a regular occurrence for them. From my readings, it also seems to happen more toward the Midwest to the West coast. Although, from what I am reading and learning now, it is becoming a growing problem nationwide. I just heard a news report concerning Boson Massachusetts, of numerous coyote attacks on pets. I have been observing three cats that live down our road, who are outdoor cats all the time. We have bears, coyotes, foxes, hawks, and even mountain lions that claim this area. For the 5 to 7 years I have been observing these cats they are still there. Saying all that to say this, we are surrounded by wildlife that could easily take these cats, and have every opportunity to do so, but have not. Don't miss understand, I am not saying this never happens, or does not happen as often as others claim, but in my experience and some of the cases I have worked it is not the dominate scenario. The only time I have found this scenario to rein true is if I am working a sick, injured, or elderly lost pet case, which makes them more prone to a predator attack. Then you cannot be sure if the pet became deceased and then was taken by predator, or if it was taken by predator first. There have been some questions about foxes attacking cats. In my experience this is even less likely than pets being taken predominantly by coyotes. From my study, foxes normally feed on bugs, fruits, grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, berries, nuts, and grains during the summer months, and eat small animals such as mice, rabbits, birds, turtles, eggs, and even dead animals during the winter. They also may kill chickens if they live near chicken farms. Here is a link to more information concerning cats and foxes.
http://www.derbyfoxes.org/cats.htm
For even more information >>view more

Trapped
A pet that escapes, and then becomes trapped can be a very serious scenario. This is one of the biggest dangers in a pets becoming lost. There are a few ways that this can occur. If you’re pet has broken free while on a leash or from being tied it is imperative that a search begin immediately. This scenario leaves the pet vulnerable to getting choked, prevents them from seeking shelter in harsh weather. It also makes them easy prey for a predator attack. The most common ways a pet becomes trapped is through Unintentional Displacement as we covered previously. Trapped cats are more likely to still be within their territory. You should conduct a hasty search right away.

Injured/ill/Deceased
When a fearful or skittish pet goes missing they are looking for somewhere to take cover. This means even if you call their name they may not respond to you. When an animal is injured nature tells them to not make themselves known. They are considered easy prey at that point, and are trying to remain unnoticed. This means even by you. Also, a pet that is now out of familiar territory means that they may be in another animal’s territory. For example, a cat that is an outdoor access cat may have been pushed out of its own territory into another more aggressive cat’s territory, and the aggressor is not allowing them to come back through to re-enter to their own territory. Most injured, ill, and deceased cats are within their own territory.

Acts of Cruelty
This also being so unbelievably sick, but is a fact as to what can happen to lost, stolen, or missing pets. Pets that are used in acts of gangs and occults even acts of revenge taken out on your pet because of past relationships and disputes can also occur. This could be by an ex-husband/wife, family member, neighbor, bird lover that has witnessed a cat killing birds or small animals, or because a cat is leaving paw prints on the neighbor’s clean, shiny vehicle. This can also mean a neighbor has poisoned your pet because of some of the above reasons. I am witness to some of these acts as I have worked some cases that these things have happened. It is a relentlessly painful thing to witness and go through. I cannot emphasize enough to keep an eye on your pets and practice responsible pet ownership. They are the innocent, we are their caretakers.


Stolen
This to me is another one of the most selfish, hideous acts taken upon pets. Pets have been stolen right out of their own backyards. Even a fence cannot stop someone with this intent. Pets are stolen for many reasons, a few being: someone’s own sick idea that they have just got to have your pet because “it is just so cute,” and it likes them. To, theft for profit of unspayed, or unneutered pets for breeding. And yes, also the theft rings that exist for Research laboratories. If you believe your pet has been stolen you will need to contact the police department.

 
Escaped Pet
There are a couple of different escape scenarios:

One being, the pet that just has to know what is going on out there beyond the walls or fence. This would be known as a pet that is classified as curious. They may not be scared, or even fear the unknown, but they have a need to break free, push out the door, dig from under the fence etc. They are not lost at first. They become lost when they look up after chasing that squirrel, or someone’s lost cat that goes bolting down the road.  They will start searching, but become even more lost. If this is a friendly dog who just loves everybody they are more likely to be picked up by a “rescuer”. If they are out in an unfamiliar area, and become scared they are more likely to roam. Which will be described below.
Then there is the fearful escaper, the one who escapes out of fear of noises such as thunder, fireworks, and gunshots. They may also be fearful of new things such as strangers in their home, pet sitters, visiting pets, new pets, and even a new home.  They will bolt and may run for a long ways, and keep running once someone tries to approach them. They become more xenophobic, and are the hardest to catch up to. They can be misinterpreted for being feral if it is cat, and usually if it is a dog they are assumed abused.             

Wandering Pet
There are two types of wandering pets. One being the ones that usually are fearful in temperament, and are not easily approached. They are seen as having been abused, and in the event someone is able to “rescue” them they are normally not returned to the owner for the thought that they were dumped, and not cared for.
Two, the wandering dog who is actually enjoying his adventure. The wandering dog can be at large for weeks even months, before they are either met by an accident, someone has been working toward gaining their trust, or they have been trapped by some other means. In order to recover your pet if it fits this scenario you must remain active, persistent, and be able to get sightings as they move into different locations. In other words, you must try and stay a step ahead. This can be exhausting, and discouraging, but you can recover them if you stick with it.

Action Step - Begin advertising

 (Information shared is a combination of what I learned at Kat Albrecht's training seminars www.missingpetpartnership.org and my own opinions and experiences.)