Most cats will return home in time for their meal. If this is not the case, we would suggest the following:

• If you can, take a look at ‘CatChat’ – a web-based cat charity. Their site provides local animal welfare contact details, as well as excellent advice to help owners find their lost cats:

• http://www.catchat.org/lost.html

• Make a thorough check of your home, garden and outbuildings, calling out your cat’s name.
• Ask your neighbours if they have seen your cat (it might be worth giving them a picture in case they are not too sure what your cat looks like).
• Advertise details of your missing cat:

• create a poster – we have created a template (in Doc format) for guidance purposes - suggested places to display your poster: lamp posts, bus stops, trees, libraries, supermarkets, etc. Posters should be displayed within a two to three mile radius.

• Please remember to collect the posters once you no longer need to alert people to your advertisement.
• Local newspapers ‘Lost & Found' (you might be charged for the advert).
• Perhaps you can offer a reward. You don’t need to say how much.
• If your cat is microchipped, inform the database company to let them know your cat is missing and, if necessary, to update contact details and any other details.
• Contact as many organisations as possible to advertise details of your missing cat, i.e.

• Vets - within a ten mile radius.
• Cheltenham Animal Shelter – telephone number: 0871 2230404.
• Cheltenham Cats Protection – telephone number: 0845 3712730 (local rate charge).
• Gloucester Cats Protection – telephone number: 07891 112654.

• Also, see ‘CatChat’ – (details above) for other gloucestershire welfare association contact details.
• It might be helpful if you leave out some used litter in the garden (avoid the rain, though) as cat urine is quite strong smelling and will travel a long way.
• Apparently, the average domestic cat has a territory of 5 square miles, so your cat could have travelled quite a distance.
• Cheltenham Council - 01242 262626 (ask for the Cleansing Department) - councils generally keep fairly good records of any animals they collect (deceased) and normally scan for microchips.