How to Find a Lost Cat: Where to Look and Who to Call

By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team

Lost cats behave very differently from lost dogs. A frightened cat rarely wanders the streets. It usually finds the nearest safe hiding spot and stays silent, sometimes for days, even when its owner is calling from a few metres away. That is why many missing cats are found close to home, and why a careful, close-range search in the first week makes such a difference.

For council and registry contacts in every state, see our Australian lost pet guide. If you've found a cat rather than lost one, read what to do if you find a lost cat.

Key takeaways

• Most missing cats are found close to home. In one large study, 75% were found within 500 metres of where they went missing.
• A thorough physical search is the RSPCA's top recommendation. Search slowly, with a torch, and check every hiding spot.
• The first week matters most, so start straight away.
• Report your cat missing on their microchip registry and to your council, shelters and vets.
• In the ACT, all found cats are taken to RSPCA ACT, so contact them early.

What the research says

A 2018 study published in Animals followed 1,210 missing cats. Only 61% were found within a year, and 34% were recovered alive by their owner within 7 days. Few were found alive after 90 days. There was some evidence that physical searching improved the chance of finding the cat alive, and 75% of cats were found within 500 metres of the point of escape. Indoor-only cats were found much closer to home than cats with outdoor access.

The lesson for owners is simple: search near home, search thoroughly, and do it early.

How to search for a lost cat, step by step

1. Search your own home first. Check inside wardrobes, drawers, behind appliances, inside recliners, in the roof space and under beds. Cats can squeeze into surprisingly small spaces.
2. Search outside at a cat's level. Check under decks, houses and parked cars, inside drains, in dense garden beds and up trees. Use a torch, because cats' eyes reflect light.
3. Ask neighbours to check their sheds and garages. Your cat may have been shut in by accident. The RSPCA also suggests asking permission to search their properties yourself.
4. Search at quiet times. When the street is quieter, it is easier to call softly and listen for a reply. Shake a treat packet or food bowl your cat knows.
5. Leave food, water and a familiar smell near your door. The RSPCA suggests putting your cat's favourite food just inside a door left open, then watching from a distance. Some owners also put out something that smells familiar, such as unwashed bedding.
6. Consider a humane cat trap. If your cat hasn't come home within a few hours, the RSPCA suggests putting out humane traps baited with their favourite food. Some councils and shelters lend or hire traps, so it's worth asking, and check the trap often.
7. Report your cat missing. Mark them as missing on their microchip registry, using Pet Address if you aren't sure which one. Check your phone number is current while you are there. Then contact your council, local shelters and vet clinics.
8. Post and put up flyers. Use a clear, recent photo and mention any distinctive markings. Post on your suburb's lost and found pets page and put flyers on letterboxes in your street.

Lost cat contacts by state

• NSW: mark your cat as missing on the NSW Pet Registry and contact your council and RSPCA NSW.
• Victoria: contact your council. Pounds and shelters must scan cats for a microchip within 3 days and hold them for a minimum of 8 days.
• Queensland: contact your council and RSPCA Queensland's Lost and Found service on 1300 363 736.
• South Australia: set your cat's status to "Lost" on Dogs and Cats Online. The Dog and Cat Management Board notes that councils have no legal requirement to deal with stray cats, so also contact the RSPCA, the Animal Welfare League and local vets.
• Western Australia: contact your local government rangers, neighbouring local governments and nearby vets. RSPCA WA points to the "Pets of Perth - Lost & Found" Facebook group.
• Tasmania: contact your council and local shelters, and check the microchip registry.
• ACT: contact RSPCA ACT on 02 6287 8100. All found cats in the ACT are housed at RSPCA facilities.
• NT: contact your council, shelters and vets.

Indoor cats that get out

An indoor cat that slips out is usually in unfamiliar territory and very frightened. The RSPCA notes that most of these cats are hiding close by, frightened and unlikely to come out even when called. Focus on the yards immediately around your home and next door, and search slowly and quietly. Indoor cats also tend to get out when routines change, for example when moving house, during renovations or when visitors leave doors open. Our article on keeping a cat indoors covers ways to make your home escape-proof.

Help your cat get home faster

Microchipping cats is compulsory in every state and the ACT, with timing that differs by state. In the NT it is compulsory within the City of Darwin. A chip only works if a finder takes your cat to be scanned and your details are current. The RSPCA also recommends a quick-release (breakaway) collar with an ID tag, so anyone who finds your cat can contact you straight away. In the ACT, cats must wear identification. See what to put on a pet ID tag for what to include.

Fireworks are a common reason cats bolt. Our New Year's Eve fireworks guide explains how to keep cats safe on the night.

When your cat comes home

Offer water and a small meal, and give them a quiet room to settle in. Check for limping, wounds or signs they are unwell. Cats that have been trapped somewhere for days may need a vet check. If you are not sure, real vets and vet nurses can talk you through what to look for on a Dial A Vet video consult and help you decide whether your cat should see your regular vet in person.

FAQ

How long do cats usually hide when lost?

It varies. Some cats come out within hours, others hide for days. In the 2018 study, about a third of cats were found alive within a week, so search hard during that first week.

Do cats find their way home on their own?

Some do, but many are found because their owner searched nearby. Don't rely on your cat coming home without help.

Is it safe for my cat to wear a collar?

The RSPCA recommends a quick-release collar, which opens if it gets caught. As a general rule, it should be snug enough that it can't slip over the head or a front leg, with room for a finger or two underneath.

When should I check the pound?

Straight away, and then regularly. Visit in person, because descriptions over the phone can miss a match.

References

• Huang L, Coradini M, Rand J, et al. Search methods used to locate missing cats and locations where missing cats are found. Animals 2018;8(1):5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5789300/
• RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I do if my cat is missing? https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/general/what-should-i-do-if-my-cat-is-missing
• RSPCA Knowledgebase. Is microchipping mandatory for cats and dogs? https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/legislation/companion-animal-legislation/is-microchipping-mandatory-for-cats-and-dogs
• Agriculture Victoria. Requirements for shelters and pounds. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/domestic-animal-businesses/shelters-and-pounds/requirements-for-shelters-and-pounds
• Agriculture Victoria. Microchipping for domestic animal businesses. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/domestic-animals-act/registration-legislation-and-permits/microchipping-of-dogs-cats-and-horses/microchipping-for-domestic-animal-businesses
• Dog and Cat Management Board (SA). Lost and found cats. https://dogandcatboard.com.au/cats/lost-and-found
• RSPCA Queensland. Lost and found pets. https://www.rspcaqld.org.au/our-services/pet-services/lost-and-found-pets
• RSPCA Queensland. What to do if your pet is lost. https://www.rspcaqld.org.au/resources/pet-care/what-to-do-lost-pet-MCKQKZPSTI2NCEDE447HR45IXV7I
• RSPCA WA. Get help. https://www.rspcawa.org.au/get-help/
• ACT City Services. Cats. https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/pets-and-wildlife/cats
• RSPCA ACT. Lost and found. https://rspca-act.org.au/our-services-services/lost-and-found
• NSW Office of Local Government. Lost pets. https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/pets/nsw-pet-registry/owners/lost-pets

This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from your own vet.