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or wecare@lincolncatcare.com.
MANY MALES GO MISSING IF THEY ARE NOT NEUTERED. SHOULD THERE BE A FEMALE IN HEAT WITHIN A MILE THEN AN UNNEUTERED WILL TRY TO GET TO HER, IT’S NATURE. SADLY MANY OF THESE EITHER ARE LOST OR SUFFER ON THE ROAD. PLEASE DON’T PUT OFF NEUTERING AND CERTAINLY DON’T LET THEM OUT UNTIL THEY ARE
Browsing through the ‘Missing’ pages you’ll begin to appreciate the number of cats missing, but these are only the ones we are aware of. Each cat represents a family desperately longing for their loved pet to come strolling home. If you are feeding or have even taken in a cat from the street then PLEASE have it scanned for a microchip. If you contact a vet or one of the rescues a scan can be arranged free. Cat lovers would rather know the fate of their treasure, and if it is happily settled with you most would gladly sign over the cat to you knowing it was loved and happy.
The endless not knowing is the cruellest thing to suffer, so please give them peace. Of course some leave because they are unsettled but most just are lost. Cats are sensitive to changes in their home so moving, changing the family structure or adding another pet can all change the stability for puss. Many cats are the companion for people, often more senior, living alone and the loss of their friend can be devastating. Young children learn so much by having a pet and they have to learn a hard lesson if it goes missing.
When you see a cat regularly visiting please don’t assume it’s a stray and put food down for it, which will only encourage them to return. If the cat seems healthy it probably is and has a home, or several, which it returns to. If you have doubts about its health please report it to a rescue or vet who can investigate and if necessary take into care while an owner is sought. Should it be a stray the best you can do is to provide somewhere for it to shelter when wet or cold.
The procedure for dealing with either a cat that has not returned home is really the same as when a cat has turned up on your doorstep. IF YOU HAVE A STRAY APPEAR PLEASE REPORT IT BUT DON’T GIVE IT TO A NEW HOME FOR TWO WEEKS IN CASE AN OWNER COMES FORWARD. If at all possible take it to a vet to be scanned to see if it is chipped.
There are quite a few organizations that keep a register of lost and found cats. One of the most important steps is to make sure that your microchipped cat is registered, it’s of little use if the chip has no details listed. Also make sure that you keep your details up to date on the register.
Cats go missing for many reasons and probably the worst thing for their family is the not knowing. At least if the worst has happened you are able to begin to come to terms with their loss. Many cats are probably living quite contentedly in new homes. It is these cats that really need registering before you take them in as part of your family.
People often assume that any cat that pops in for food and a fuss is homeless. As most cat owners know this is not the case. If you notice a cat hanging about please report it as someone could be fretting over their disappearance.
Although we are beginning to make headway it is still a fact that there are still more stray cats than we can find places for. If you have a stray regularly visiting do not be overly concerned at their lack of a home, cats are a resilient animal and survivors. However for them to be able to cope living outside they need to be in tip top condition. Any knots in their fur, wounds or poor fur condition need to be dealt with. These cats we will always get treated as a matter of urgency and they get priority for bringing into care. A healthy cat will be OK temporarily as long as it has shelter and food. A box in your shed can be all it takes for your visitor to survive the harshest of winters. When you are going into your shed, garage or outbuildings always try to check that no cat has crept in and fallen asleep.
BEFORE YOU DECIDE PUSS IS LOST PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CHECK EVERYWHERE INDOORS, ESPECIALLY THOSE PLACES THAT YOU BELIEVE IMPOSSIBLE FOR PUSS TO BE. SO MANY TIMES ‘LOST CATS’ HAVE TURNED UP INDOORS IN CUPBOARDS, BEHIND APPLIANCES AND, AS RECENTLY, IN AN UNDERBED STORAGE DRAWER.