
If you are the one who feeds a stray cat and are attached to it by now than there are few points you need to keep in mind. We hope that your bundle of fur never goes missing but in case if they have please refer the below points.
Missing Cats Facts & Figures
When an outdoor cat suddenly vanishes it means that SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED to that cat which interrupts its normal behaviour of coming home. A stray cat usually goes for about miles from your home. The median distance found for missing cats are 315 meters or 344 yards. This is roughly a 17-house radius from the owner’s house.

When an outdoor cat suddenly vanishes it means that SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED to that cat which interrupts its normal behaviour of coming home. A stray cat usually goes for about miles from your home. The median distance found for missing cats are 315 meters or 344 yards. This is roughly a 17-house radius from the owner’s house.
Researchers say that cats which have regular access to outside travel longer distances than totally indoor cats. 61% of the cats are found alive within one year of going missing, with only 34% found alive within 7 days. Highly curious cats are more likely to be found in other persons homes enjoying the attention without even caring who they are.
If you have not seen your cat for more than 24 to 48 hours than it is time for you to be alert. Although cats are known to return to their parents’ home within 1 week or a month of going missing but still as an alert parent you need to start the search within 48 hours of them going missing.
Normally you can search in the nearby blocks and intimate the people around known to you. Also you can try keeping dry food outside to tempt your cat with its smell.
Why do cats goes missing? Probable Causes

- An Unneutered or Un Spayed TOM cats usually goes missing several times during the his lifespan with you as they would have caught the scent of a female cat.
- Sometimes they might have a horrifying experience of visiting the vet which they are not used to.
- When you introduce a new pet to your home.
- Sometimes Tom cat leaves the block as he might have a chance fight encounter with another TOM cat fighting with him for the territory or Food. He might as well leave the space if he is the weaker one amongst the two of them. In the cat fight sometimes they are seriously injured and it might be that they have gone to a secured location. They come back once they are able to walk most probably and sadly badly injured
What you should do if your cat is missing?
- Cats roam more in dark. Try your search and calling out his name in the dark. There are high chances he might respond.
- Try keeping its litter box outside the house so that it can find the property by its sharp smell.
- Best is to go from door to door and inform everyone about the missing cat. Ask them to search their basements, Kitchens, store Rooms, less frequented terraces, under an us sued covered cars, On top of Wheels of the four wheelers, In high voltage areas commonly restricted for humans, Under bed, garden. Search thoroughly everywhere with a favourite piece of treats.
- If you have recently shifted to new home try searching the old neighbourhood.
- Post pictures of him in the local newspaper and declare a small award.
- Use social media. Post in pet lover’s Facebook Group, Pet NGO groups and related pages, chances are high somebody will respond. Another advantage you can cover larger geographical area.
- Persevere Cats are known to return after weeks or months together. There are instances where a missing cat is found or comes back even after as long as 2 years.
- Most importantly leave missing cat info with few vets in the area and at animal shelter so if someone might find him in injured condition and would approach them for treatment and there they can find that this is your cat.
- Also search the neighbours who have recently gone away on holiday. Least they have locked the house and your cat is unintentionally trapped in that house. Go near the house and call out his name loudly. If he is trapped and there is no way to come out he will for sure MEOW back.