Worthing & District Cats Protection

Helpline 01903 200332

WORTHING AND DISTRICT CATS PROTECTION

Registered Charity

203644 (England and Wales)

SC037711 (Scotland)

Lost and Found Cats

Lost Cats

It can be a worrying time if your cat goes missing but remember that most cats do love to wander and explore and an absence of 24 or 48 hours is not that unusual. Many cats reported as missing come home quite happily on their own without any indication that there was anything wrong! Those cats that we do find and return to their owners have normally stayed within the immediate area.

However, if your cat has not returned within a couple of days there are several steps you can take to try to trace him or her:

	Ask neighbours to check their sheds, garages, etc. – cats can easily get locked in.
	Contact Tracy at Worthing Branch of Cats Protection on 01903 693534 or by e-mail at Bacardibomb@sky.com – Tracy maintains a 'lost and found' register of cats who are not only lost but also those that have been found and cared for by those that have informed us.

The details of your lost cat will also be added to the Lost Cats Directory page on this web-site.

Contact the other local animal charities which may be able to help –

Worthing & District Animal Rescue Service (WADARS)- 01903 217788 www.wadars.co.uk

Worthing Cat Welfare - 01903 202251 www.worthingcatwelfare.co.uk *

The following organisations may also be able to help

Pet Detectives - 01903 772176 www.pet-detectives.co.uk

Lost Cats Brighton - 01273 422721 www.lostcatsbrighton.org.uk *

[* Both Worthing Cats Welfare and Lost Cats Brighton web-sites have lists of lost and found cats which may be viewed]

	Contact your local veterinary surgery to find out if he or she has been injured in an accident and has been brought in for treatment.
	Make up a flyer containing details and a photograph of your cat, and then distribute copies in your local area.

Remember, the easiest way of identifying a lost cat and returning him or her to their worried owners is if the cat has been microchipped. The procedure is painless and inexpensive and your local vet will be able to carry it out for you very easily.

Found Cats

Cats do love to roam and occasionally do get lost but remember that just because that cat keeps coming back into your garden every day and happily eating the food you put down doesn't necessarily mean that he or she is a stray. The cat may prefer your garden (and the food) to their own but still go home to their own bed.

However, if you do have concerns about the cat being lost or not having a home of their own the best thing to do is:

	Ask neighbours if they recognise the cat or have heard of anyone losing their pet.
	Contact the Worthing Branch of Cats Protection on 01903 200332 -

Initially we will scan the cat to check if he or she has been microchipped.

If not, we will put a collar on the cat with a message on it asking their owner to contact us.

If the cat is obviously injured or neglected or we do not hear from the owner we will take the cat into care and in due course find him or her a new home.

The details of your found cat will also be added to the Found Cats Directory page on this web-site.