My Cat Is Lost and Has a Microchip

One of a pet owner's worst nightmares is having the pet get lost. Cats can get lost easily, especially if an indoor cat manages to slip out. Do not delay searching for your cat, as many people do not know that cats can be microchipped. While microchips are useful, they are not a panacea. Your cat should also have a collar and tags. You will need to alert as many people as possible to help you find your cat.

Things You'll Need

Telephone
Photo of cat
Internet connection
Printer

Instructions

- 1
  Contact the chip registry where your cat's microchip is registered, and alert the company that your cat is missing. Be sure to update your contact information. If you do not know or remember which chip and registry your cat has, contact the veterinarian who implanted it. The vet will have records as to what chip was implanted.
- 2
  Make "lost" signs to hang up, which include copies of your cat's photo and pertinent information such as color, breed, sex, and that your cat has a microchip. Include contact information, so if the person finds your cat, he or she may contact you.
- 3
  Contact all shelters and rescues in your area, and alert them that your cat is missing. While many will check for a microchip, some may have outdated readers that may not be able to read all chips. Send or deliver a flyer with the pertinent information.
- 4
  Contact the veterinarians in your area, and alert them that your cat is missing. Give them a flyer to hang up in their offices.
- 5
  Take out "lost" ads in your local newspaper and Craigslist.
- 6
  Put up flyers on bulletin boards in local gas stations and supermarkets.
- 7
  Call veterinarians and shelters every few days to find out if they've received a cat like yours.
- 8
  Visit the local shelters and look at cats. Sometimes shelter personnel may not know if the shelter has your pet.