Lost cat: what to do to find them (the right reflexes)

A lost cat doesn't behave like a lost dog. Where a dog runs and shows itself, a cat hides, silently, often very close to home. So the search has to be different. Here's how to go about it.

First: they're probably very close

Most cats that escape, especially indoor cats, stay within a few houses of home. Frightened, they hide and don't respond, not even to their name. They can stay still for hours, even several days.

Where to search first

• At home: cupboards, under beds, the washing machine, cardboard boxes, false ceilings. Check twice.
• Shared areas: stairwells, cellars, utility rooms, the building's terraces and rooftops.
• Parked cars: underneath, around the wheels, and even the engine compartment (knock on the bonnet before starting the car).
• Neighbours' gardens and garages: ask to check their sheds, outbuildings and basements.
• Rooftops: in Tunisia, many cats travel from roof to roof and from terrace to terrace.

Bring a torch: a cat's eyes reflect light, even in the dark.

The best times

Early morning and late evening, when the street is quiet. A hidden cat dares to move once the noise dies down. Call them softly, shake their box of kibble, then wait in silence for a few minutes: they may meow or come out.

The right reflexes at home

• Leave a window or back door ajar if you can do so safely, with their litter box and a bowl of water nearby: the smell of the litter can guide them.
• Be there for the first few nights — many cats come back at dawn.

Spread the word

• Facebook groups for lost pets in your city and governorate, with a sharp photo, the date and the approximate address.
• Posters in your building, at the grocer's, the baker's and the local vet.
• Tell the building caretaker, the neighbours and the children: they're the ones who'll spot your cat first.
• Vets in the area: an injured cat is sometimes brought to them.

Mistakes to avoid

• Chasing them if they appear: they'll just hide somewhere else. Crouch down and speak softly.
• Giving up after 2 days: some cats reappear after several weeks.
• Only searching far away: the priority is the immediate neighbourhood.

For next time

• Visible identification: a lightweight Homy QR tag on a breakaway collar. The neighbour who finds your cat scans the tag and alerts you in one go.
• Secure windows and balconies with a mosquito screen or netting, especially in summer when everything stays open.
• Spaying or neutering: it greatly reduces escapes linked to heat cycles and fights.

Found a cat that seems lost? Read I found a cat: what to do.