Lost and Found
If you have lost your cat it can be very distressing. Please contact us for help and advice. If you have found a cat, please check out our Lost and Found page and contact Gwen.Over the years we have been able to reunite issing cats with their owners. Sometimes a cat can be missing for many months - one cat was reunited with its owners after 6 months.
As ever, there are so many cats reported missing that have no means of ready identification on them. We know that many owners dislike putting collars on their cats because they are afraid that they will cause them injury in some way. But against this it is always so much easier if a cat, found in distressed circumstances, has some means of positive identification. The only collars Cats Protection recommends are quick release collars so that, if they get caught on anything, they will snap off. These collars are always for sale at our events.
All the cats that are rehomed by the Branch are micro-chipped prior to homing. Vets provide a micro-chipping service as well as other properly trained individuals.
If you want some form of ready ID, we recommend that you buy collars on which you can write in indelible ink contact details. You can buy name discs of barrels with space for contact details inside. You can seal them with nail lacquer so that they do not come unscrewed with the cat's movements. Quick release collars are always for sale at our events.
If you have "lost" or "found" a cat please contact Gwen on 01268 793447.
Don't forget we will need all the relevant details of your cat. Date last seen and where. Colour, male/female, age, wearing a collar or not, with details of your home address and phone number and if your cat has been micro chipped.
Micro-chipping is a very positive step to take. A small chip is inserted into the cats flesh at the back of the neck by a syringe and is then checked for it's unique registration number. A form is then prepared with the cats full details, owners name address and telephone numbers. The cost is anything from about £18-£30 depending on who carries out the procedure.
So often we hear that a cat has been wearing a collar BUT WITH NO MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION. It does not cost a lot to put a disc onto a collar, or some other means of identification. Only when your cat goes missing do you realise the importance of having an easily recognised means of ID on your cat. So act now and get that tag made and put it on your cat. You never know when it might be needed.
Please note that cats do wander and roam, so even if your cat is missing from your road it doesn't necessarily mean that it will be found in your road.
It is a good idea to check out all of your outhouses, sheds, garages etc., as well as your immediate neighbours, rear, side and front, as a cat will hide away if frightened and scared.
If you have a printer attached to your computer prepare a poster which you can then display on telegraph poles etc. to bring the attention to passers by, of your loss. We can also help and provide you with posters if needed.
If you are on the borders of Cats Protection Districts then please notify the adjacent branch of your lost cat.
Our neighbours are
- Southend & District http://www.catsprotectionsouthend.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
- Basildon & Districts http://www.bascats.org.uk
You can also connect to the above branches through our Head Office web-site at www.cats.org.uk
Another web-site, which you might like to use if you have lost or found a cat is
http://www.ukpetsearch.freeuk.com
You should also notify the RSPCA, their local Branch is Essex South/Southend on 01268 752875.
Please also check with your Local Authority in case your cat has been involved in a road traffic accident.
Veterinary Surgeries also maintain their own "Lost & Found" records so it is also worth while informing the vets in your area. Also the Local Authority, Streets Departments, usually deliver cats that have been found killed on the road to the nearest vet, who usually then keep the body for 1 or 2 weeks pending enquiries from concerned owners. The vets normally advise us of the RTAs delivered to them. So we are all trying to do our best to help when needed.
So please spread the word and let your family, friends and neighbours be aware of our services. Also if you have an elderly cat that is under medication and is not at all well then please think twice before letting it out. A litter tray can be so easily provided and does give peace of mind to know where your sick cat is.
We have found on more than one occasion that an elderly cat can get disorientated and lost and ends up as either another accident statistic, or at the vets, delivered by us. If it is really sick, then the vets will euthanase the cat if it is badly distressed and nothing further can be done for it. So please ensure that your cat can be readily identified and that you can be informed immediately should your cat become one of our "Lost and Found" statistics.
Good luck with your search and please if you do find your cat then please inform everyone you contacted in your search profile so that they can take them off their list.
