HANDY HINTS
AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

LOST CAT TO DO LIST

SEARCH INSIDE YOUR HOUSE
Small cats & kittens can hide behind fridges, in cupboards etc, especially if they are frightened or new to your home.
SEARCH YOUR PROPERTY
Look under bushes, up trees, under the house, inside the sheds, again if frightened or injured they like to hide.
TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Don't be afraid to knock on doors, most people want to help!
SEARCH SURROUNDING AREAS
Storm water drains, trees, neighbouring houses, roofs.
CALL YOUR PET LATE AT NIGHT
When the neighbourhood is dark & quiet is the best time to call them. Listen carefully as they may be stuck up a tree or in a shed. Shaking the biscuit tin may help.
LEAVE SCENTED ITEMS OUTSIDE
Their bedding and also something of yours will help them find their way home. Also food & water if possible in case they return when you aren't home.
ALERT LOCAL VETS
Your pet may have been found injured and dropped off at the vets.

DISTRIBUTE FLYERS
Free templates are available on-line. Put in letter boxes, near schools, local noticeboards and power poles near busy intersections.
REPORT TO YOUR LOCAL RESCUE
This is where your cat may be taken if found somewhere. Send them a photo & relevant details i.e. how long missing, where missing from & your contact details.
CHECK MICROCHIP DETAILS ARE UP-TO-DATE
Phone the NZCAR to report your cat as missing and to check your address & phone number are still current.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Post your missing pet on your Facebook page and all the local community Facebook pages and Buy & Sell pages as well as Lost & Found Pet pages, both local & national. There are people who follow the pages and love matching up found & missing pets. Also list on www.lostpetfinders.co.nz - fabulous website!

WE FOUND ALL THIS INFORMATION ONLINE AND WE HOPE IT WILL HELP YOU FIND YOUR LOST PET. PLEASE BE PRO-ACTIVE!

PLEASE SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW FOR POSTING YOUR MISSING PET ON FACEBOOK.

Posting your missing pet on Facebook

On your own FB page write the details including name, colour, gender, micro-chip status, where missing from and when last seen. Add any other details you think are relevant or will help find your cat & include an up-to-date photo. If you don't have a photo of your cat, take one now! Add a phone number if possible. Be sure to make the post PUBLIC and state "PLEASE SHARE". From there, share to all the local pages you can find and also to the Lost & Found Pet pages. This means that people can go to your original post to share as many community pages do not allow sharing. Doing it this way also means you will only have one post to update once your cat is found. When your cat is found, update your header AND add a comment so people following the post can see the cat is found. Once your cat is home you should leave your updated post on FB for a week or two and then delete it so people searching pages don't have to keep scrolling through posts of cats who have returned home. Local lost & found pet pages are Lost & Found Creatures of Rodney & Wellsford Noticeboard Lost and Found Pets and Animals

Trapping a cat

PLEASE do not TRAP a cat without FIRST having a PLAN
If you require help from a Rescue organisation, contact them to discuss a plan BEFORE trapping the cat!
You may borrow a trap from us BUT we require payment of a deposit which will be refunded when the trap is returned
All traps MUST be returned ASAP
NEVER assume you have trapped a feral cat, even much loved pets can react badly when trapped

Keep your pet calm & safe during fireworks

Walk your dog late afternoon or early evening to tire them out
Keep your pet indoors with their favourite bedding and toys
Lock cat/dog door
Stay home with your pet if possible
Close drapes/blinds so they can’t see flashes of light
Turn the radio/TV on so they can’t hear the noise
Make sure they have eaten so they feel more rested/sleepy
Cover bird & small animal cages if they can’t be moved indoors
Let your pet hide under beds/bedding if they want to
Ensuring your pet is microchipped means they can easily be returned to you if they escape or run away
Make sure your details are up-to-date on NZCAR
Ask your vet to check your pets microchip at their annual vaccination appointment
There are calming products available for your pet – see your vet or health store
Also consider thunder jackets – they are a great comfort for nervous dogs

Micro-chipping

DO NOT ASSUME THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE HANDED A MICROCHIP STICKER THAT YOUR PET IS ALSO REGISTERED!

Micro-chipping gives you the best chance of having your missing pet returned to you. If your pet is micro-chipped at your vets, ask which database they are going on. Insist your pet is registered on NZCAR (New Zealand Companion Animal Register) as this is a nationwide database. Cats & kittens adopted from us are registered on NZCAR as part of the adoption process.

Always supply your email address & an alternate contact. NZCAR will email you annually to check your details are up-to-date. Your alternate contact will be contacted if you aren't able to be contacted, i.e. hospital, overseas...
If you change your address or phone number(s) please let NZCAR know.
If your pet goes missing, also let them know as they will red flag pet.
If you bring your pet home from abroad just call NZCAR to have their micro-chip number added to the NZ Database.
ASK YOUR VET TO RE-SCAN YOUR PET AT THE ANNUAL HEALTH CHECK/VACCINATION APPOINTMENT OR ANY OTHER TIME YOU VISIT AS THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL