ADVICE AND TIPS IF YOU’VE LOST A CAT

1. Don't panic.

2. Search the area.  Look in gardens, sheds, garages, and your neighbours sofa.

3.  Make leaflets to post through doors in neighbouring roads as well as your own street. Cats roam across gardens.  If possible include a photo of your lost cat, if not a description, where the cat was last seen as well as your contact number.  Ask your neighbours to check their sheds, garages, and spare rooms.

4. Make posters to put up around your area.  Provide much the same details as that of the leaflet.  Print 'LOST' in large letters and make the photo big.  It needs to make passers-by stop and read it.  Pin them (with permission) in Post Offices, outside schools, bus shelters, launderettes, pubs, vet notice boards etc.   If your cat has been spotted include a map and show clearly where he was last seen and when.

5. If your cat is chipped notify the Microchip Company that the cat is lost.  (Always remember to change your address with the Microchip Company if you move!) {PLEASE DON’T FORGET!}

6. Call the vets in the area: http://www.any-uk-vet.co.uk/county/eastsussex.htm)

7. Mail or call ourselves on 01273 422721 / 07990812669

 Also try calling –

City Cat Shelter- 01273 606843 http://www.citycatshelter.com

RSPCA Patcham - 01273 554218  http://www.rspca-brighton.co.uk Head Office - 08705555999

Brighton Council - 01273 290000

http://www.catchat.org/ A wonderful forum for cat-lovers nationwide.

http://www.chaptanservices.com/purrs/index.php ‘Purrs In Our Hearts’ is a great cat oriented site with many helpful members.

http://www.nationalpetregister.org

Cat Protection League - 01273 279138 http://www.brightoncatsprotection.org.uk

For the Mid-Sussex try our friends at Paws & Claws Animal Rescue - http://www.pawsandclaws-ars.org.uk

8. Advertise your lost cat in the local paper.  This expense may be covered by your pet insurance.

9.  Continue to walk the area at dawn and dusk if possible, calling your cats name, shaking a box of biscuits or rattling his/her bowl.  Leave food out for the cat.  If you do not have a cat flap, leave somewhere dry and warm for the cat to shelter.  Place a small amount of his/her used cat litter in your garden or near your door.  Tie your sock or a rag which you have slept on where the cat was last seen. Your cat will recognise your smell.

10.  Do not give up hope.  Cats have been known to return months later.