How to find a missing cat, from the volunteers who run Lost Cats Brighton

If your cat hasn’t come home, Lost Cats Brighton^1,2,3,4,5,6 has one piece of advice before all the others: “please don’t panic as very often cats are found close to home.” The small volunteer charity runs a free lost and found register for cats in Brighton & Hove, and the Argus⁷ has been passing on its tips.

Start indoors. The charity says cats like warm, dark places, so check cupboards, under beds, the washing machine and tumble drier, the loft, then the shed, garage, greenhouse and even the car’s wheel arches and engine. Ask neighbours to look in their sheds too.

When you search the streets, take a second person and your cat’s favourite treats. The charity suggests walking out to the edge of the area you want to cover without calling, then calling on the way back, so a cat that hears you follows you home. Put a piece of clothing with your scent on outside the house. If you have no cat flap, leave somewhere dry and warm for the cat to shelter, with a little of its used litter nearby.

Ring local vets and shelters early. The RSPCA holds healthy stray cats for just seven days before it starts to rehome them. Tell your microchip company too, and keep your details up to date: microchipping is now a legal requirement, indoor cats included. And don’t give up. The charity says cats have been known to return months later.

If none of that works, register the cat on its website. Volunteers approve each post and share it on its Lost and Found Facebook page.

The register runs on volunteers, and it needs more. Lost Cats Brighton has no shelter and relies on donations and people’s time. It says it is urgently looking for help with the register on Thursdays. Training is given and the work can be done from home. It also wants foster carers, volunteer drivers, fundraisers and trustees, who commit to four in-person board meetings and four online meetings a year.