| According to the most recent Synovate pet survey | | | | - Ensure you have recent and reliable color photos of |
| (Sept. 2005), conducted in nine markets across the | | | | your cat and be sure you note unique markings or |
| globe, the UK and the US were shown to be the | | | | characteristics, such as scars. You have to take |
| two absolute leaders in pet ownership. Specifically, | | | | shots of both sides of your cat's body, as well as its |
| three-quarters (75%) of the UK respondents were | | | | face (portrait). |
| pet owners. Since cats are low maintenance, | | | | - Write and frequently update a short, simple and |
| independent, and affectionate, they fit in well with | | | | clear description of your cat and have it stored in |
| urban working lifestyles and have become the | | | | your computer's memory -along with the recently |
| favorite pet for million of pet-owners over the last | | | | taken photographs- in order to create posters and |
| 30 years. But although cat-owners are familiar with | | | | flyers if your cat gets lost / stolen. |
| the sight of a cat wondering the city streets early in | | | | - Search and save the webpages of your local animal |
| the morning and then returning to its owner's | | | | control authorities and "lost and found" online |
| residence to rest and eat, statistics reveal that cats | | | | registries for immediate retrieval. |
| are lost, stolen or abandoned and need owners who | | | | - Make sure you have the local pet authorities' phone |
| are caring and also willing to devote time to monitor | | | | numbers on your "emergency contact list" and check |
| their "free" lifestyles. | | | | them frequently for any updates. Also, keep a copy |
| Thus, in order to minimize the chances of you ever | | | | of a recent local street map along with this |
| having to file a missing cat report and to provide to | | | | emergency contact list. In case you need to |
| all cat-lovers out there a short list of the things one | | | | coordinate a search unit this map will be the first |
| should know and do before his or her independent | | | | thing you will need to distribute. |
| companion decides to migrate and explore the | | | | - Create a "lost kit" in case your cat should ever run |
| unknown, we have collected the following tips you | | | | away. The copies of its current photographs, some |
| should carefully read, keeping in mind that you should | | | | pre-made flyers, a flashlight, the phone numbers of |
| not get discouraged or panic if your cat actually | | | | animal control centers, the police, the vet, a couple |
| disappears. By following our advice and keeping | | | | of its favorite items in order to be placed outdoors |
| yourself organized and prepared at all times, the | | | | and delicious canned food can be included in this kit. |
| chances are that you will be reunited with your lost | | | | When you are on vacation and hire an animal sitter, |
| friend again soon. | | | | this kit will contain everything needed if your cat is |
| - Keep an action checklist in a visible location, along | | | | lost while in someone else's care. |
| with the current phone numbers of emergency | | | | - Avoid letting your cat roam free if you cannot rely |
| contacts, like individuals and organizations you will | | | | on his/her recall. You have to keep in mind that cats |
| need to call in case of emergency. | | | | are not eager to appear when you call their name. |
| - Always remember to have a rubber (elastic) collar | | | | We recommend you to keep your cat always |
| placed around your cat's neck portraying an | | | | indoors unless it is adequately trained. |
| identification tag (ID) that will display the cat's name | | | | - Do not leave your cat unattended in the car/van |
| and your current home and/or cell phone number. | | | | and always transport your cat in a safe carrier |
| - Over the years, there has been evidence that cats | | | | suitable for cats. |
| are stolen for laboratory use, for the fur-trade, or | | | | - Be wary of strangers expressing an interest in your |
| are killed by malicious, sick individuals. Moreover, | | | | cat. Watch out for suspicious characters. Your cat is |
| pedigree cats may be stolen to serve an order. Thus, | | | | your responsibility. Remember not to leave your cat |
| prior to having to deal with any unfortunate event, | | | | with friendly strangers. |
| register your cat to the available services of your | | | | - Have in mind that a spayed or neutered cat is less |
| area. In most cases registration can be completed | | | | likely to wander off. Although this process may not |
| online and you will save precious time if something | | | | be something you want to perform, it might be one |
| actually happens. Then, have the attached tag display | | | | of the things that can keep your cat safe. |
| its registration number. You can find it again sooner | | | | - Make sure that your companion is up to date on his |
| by using the number on the tag. It can be its ticket | | | | her vaccinations. Animals able to run free or staying |
| home. | | | | at a shelter are at higher risks of being exposed to |
| - For real security, consider putting a microchip | | | | diseases. See your veterinarian about the |
| implant to your cat or tattooing it and register the | | | | recommended vaccines for your cat. |
| chip's number with one of the registries in your area. | | | | |