Things to be aware of when looking for your cat

Warning: Some of the member feedback below may be upsetting but we think it is best that you are as informed as possible

Microchips

  • Microchips help but do not guarantee that you will get your cat back, they can fail, migrate and can be removed
  • Vets are not obligated to scan for a microchip
  • Animal rescue organisations may not verify chip details for surrendered cats

Pounds

  • It can take council pounds several days to scan a microchip as they can get very busy
  • Some councils will not pick up a found cat. They ask the finder to bring it in
  • To dispose of deceased cats some councils contract other companies which do not have microchip scanners
  • Some people fear surrendering a cat will result in expensive impound fees or the cat being put down

General

  • Sometimes it is hard for people to tell if a cat is lost or just roaming
  • Even if your cat is normally friendly with people it may be too scared to let anyone too close
  • When a cat is found by someone it could be taken to their vet, not yours
  • If a family falls in love with your cat it will be harder to get it back


WHAT TO DO?

  • Do not rely on microchips completely, but make sure your chip details are up to date by contacting the vet that helped you register your chip
  • Keep your physical search up, keep posting flyers everywhere you can and doing letter drops to neighbours mailboxes
  • Do not rely on coucils/pounds ringing you when your pet gets there. Visit pounds and shelters in person!
  • Do not trust phone descriptions, they can very dramatically, and no one knows your cat better than you
  • Look at cats for adoption as well as the newly impounded ones
  • Do not miss vital information, right now check your email Spam/Junk box again and your 'Message Requests' on Facebook just in case
     

Fortunately there are lots of good people out there that want to help. Many will go the extra mile to make sure your cat is safe and well, and will try everything for you and your cat to get reunited asap. Stay positive, but do not fully rely on the system to bring you your cat back. Keep searching!