Get a House Cat to Come Home

Take some of her cat litter and place it in the yard in various places. Used litter is best, but fresh litter should also work as long as it is a brand you have used for the cat for awhile. The cat recognizes the smell of her litter and knows that she is close to home.

Put a small dish of his favorite dry cat food outside. You might also want to put out a comfortable bed for him. The smell of the food lures him home and the bed waiting encourages him to stay put.

Search for your cat during the day. If the cat is frightened outside, she finds a place to curl up and hide during the day. Look under things and inside of things. Remember your cat is small and is probably frightened in an unknown environment. You could find her hiding anywhere.

Look for your cat again after dark. Darkness brings confidence and lures him out of his hiding place in search of food. Bring a bright flashlight, with fresh batteries, with you.

Visit local animal shelters and veterinary offices to let them know that your cat is lost. Leave a color photocopy of a picture of the cat with each shelter and instructions on how to reach you if your cat ends up there.

Make flyers with the words "LOST CAT" at the top. Include a clear photo picture of your cat and a phone number to reach you at. Do not date the flyers in case your cat is gone for a long time. People tend to ignore old signs, assuming the cat has been found. Post the flyers within a two mile radius of your home in highly visible areas.

Run an ad in your local newspapers announcing that you have lost your cat and the area in which she was last seen. Be sure to include your phone number. It is also a good idea to check the "found" section of the newspapers every day in case someone finds your cat and places an ad looking for you.