Lost and Found Pets

Losing a beloved pet can be a heart-wrenching experience, but there are effective steps you can take to help bring your cat home quickly. If your feline friend has wandered off, don’t wait—start your search right away! Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you in your quest.

1. Search Your Neighborhood: Begin by driving around the area calling your cat's name. Cats have a strong sense of smell, so putting out a litter box can help them find their way home.
2. Create a Missing Pet Flyer: Design a flyer that includes: -
   - Your cat’s name
   - Breed, color, and markings
   - Weight and sex
   - Microchip status
   - A clear, recent photo
   - The location where your pet was last seen
   - Your contact information
   Make your flyer available as a JPEG or other shareable format, and remember to update or remove it once your cat is found.
3. Post Flyers Widely: Distribute your flyers throughout your neighborhood. Local businesses, community centers, and popular spots (like the Windmill) are great places to post. Share your flyer on platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. If you don’t use social media, ask a friend to help spread the word.
   Recommended Facebook Groups:
   Lost Cats Minnesota
   Minnesota - Lost Dogs, Cats & Pets
   Scott County Minnesota Lost/Found Cats
   Local neighborhood groups like Lonsdale Lost Pets Page
4. Notify Your Contacts: Send an email with your flyer to all your contacts within a 10-mile radius. Encourage them to share it with their networks.
5. Contact Local Animal Services: Reach out to local animal control and shelters. Here’s a helpful resource: Critter Getters Phone: 952-873-6611 Address: 610 West Church Street, Belle Plaine, MN 56011 Website: Critter Getters
6. Utilize Online Resources: Post your cat’s information on websites dedicated to lost pets:
   Missing Pets, Craigslist (Lost & Found section), Petfinder, MN Humane Society
7. Keep Social Media Updated: Regularly update your posts on social media and consider joining local community groups for lost pets. Engage with others who might have seen your cat.
8. Offer Incentives: If possible, consider offering a small reward for information leading to your pet's return. This can motivate people to keep an eye out.
9. Search Nearby Hiding Spots: Cats are often found hiding nearby. Check under decks, in garages, sheds, window wells, and bushes. Search during quiet times like dawn and dusk when they are more active.
10. Leave Familiar Scents: Put out some of your clothing or items with your scent, as well as smelly canned food, to attract your cat back home.
11. Involve Your Community: Talk to your neighbors and mail carriers about your missing cat. They can help keep an eye out and may have seen something.
12. Don’t Give Up: Keep searching daily and revisiting areas where you’ve already looked. Cats can be elusive, and persistence is key.