Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsgreenjeens  |
This story is telling, and why the recommendations of
http://www.lost-pets.org/ are important.
Quote:
Originally Posted by libby74 |
Yes, bait the trap, but don't leave it at that. This proactive searching is exactly what needs to be done. A "posse" of friends and neighbors needs to get out with flashlights and search.
The site recommends within three house lengths, however I've seen other information that says the search area should be within three blocks. Either way, you start near home and expand out.
Sarah, I don't know if you and/or DH have read this, but basically, indoor cats that get outside may not be easily "lured," and recovering them may require a much more active approach than calling, walking around with food, or setting traps:
http://www.lost-pets.org/content/view/3/1/
Quote:
...Be careful who you enlist to help you find your cat. Use only the people who the cat knows. A scared or traumatized cat is not going to come to a stranger. Parking strange cars in your yard, will just cause her more confusion and she may retreat farther and farther from her home.
If you are fortunate enough to see your cat, drop down to a sitting position immediately. Do not make eye contact. Your inside only cat is on full alert mode, she is outside for perhaps the first time in her life. There are smells, and sounds that she is being bombarded with. DO NOT run toward her, sit down at an angle so she can see you, but do not approach her.
Talk to her as if she was right next to you. As hard as it is to do, keep your voice CALM adding excitement or emotion to your voice will almost guarantee that she will run from you. If she walks up to you, don't grab her until she is right next to you. Then calmly pick her up, grab her by the scruff of her neck, support her hind legs and hustle her into the house. Breathe a sigh of relief, this was an easy catch!
But what if you have walked three house lengths in all directions and you still don't see your cat? How long do you wait before you spring into action?
You don't wait. You simply can't. Her being outside exposes her every minute to dangers. If your neighbors have barking dogs, she could be huddled under the porch of a house scared to move. If you have trees on your property or near it, don't neglect looking up. Cats when they are scared and they can't find a good hidey-hole they will climb. Look on telephone poles and power poles as well as in the trees.
Grab that photograph off your fridge and start knocking on doors. Get permission from homeowners to look under porches, inside garages, sheds, inside cars or trailers. Be thorough in your search. Don't tresspass. Get permission from the owners before venturing on the property. Show the photograph especially to the kids in the house and ask them to contact you if they see her. Pass out your business card if you have to, but leave contact information at every home on the block or in the area... |
There's two more pages of suggestions and ideas.
