A cat owned by a college student isn’t simply referred to as a “pet,” but rather a “furry companion,” or otherwise “best friend.” We students not only enjoy the company of these animals, but we also rely on them for stress relief and even love. So what is one to do when his or her furry lifeline makes a run for it? A great escape, if you will, embarking on a boundless adventure beyond the cozy confines of your humble abode.
Courtesy: Buzzfeed
1) Don’t panic! Signs of panic may include, but are not limited to: sobbing face down in the front yard, binge eating that tub of ice cream you’ve been saving for a rainy day and threatening the life of the imbecile who left your door wide open in the first place. Panicking will only waste time, setting you further apart from your feline.
2) Leave water and your cat’s favorite food outside of your front door! This crucial step to luring your cat back home is probably your best bet due to the likelihood that your cat is both used to eating every 45 minutes, and is lacking in the necessary outdoor-hunting skillset.
3) Leave your cat’s dirty litter box outside your door! Maybe your friends will stop visiting due to the blatant and intentional placement of feces by your doorstep, but the familiar smell could be a fundamental and effective lure in leading your cat back to safety. Plus: are they really your friends if they can’t handle a little poop?
4) Visit your local animal shelter and fill out a missing cat report! This step is especially important if your cat isn’t wearing a collar or isn’t microchipped. While you’re there, you may also benefit from checking their inventory to confirm that your cat hasn’t been turned in already. No, this doesn’t mean you should adopt a replacement kitten that may actually love and appreciate you, though the faint meows from behind bars may tempt you otherwise. One word: Resist.
5) More eyes on the lookout will increase your odds of capture and recovery. Pass out fliers! Give them to all of your neighbors and post them around houses within a few blocks of your own. Give them to dog walkers, as they spend at least a fraction of their days outdoors. Give them to local businesses, such as Starbucks and PetCo, so that your flier remains in a noticeable spot. This step can be optimized by dramatic sobs, as nobody can turn down a flyer from someone who quite clearly won’t take no for an answer.
6) Get outside and look! This step may sound like looking for a needle in a haystack, but it could ultimately be the most important. Call for it, use a flashlight at night to see the reflection of its eyes and try to think like your cat would. It’s common for cats to linger within a few blocks of your house after they’ve escaped, kind of like a psycho ex-boyfriend.
7) Utilize social media! Make a post titled “MISSING CAT” that includes adorable photos of your runaway companion, and be sure to include your name, address and phone number in case he or she is spotted. In addition, be sure to ask your “faciest” friends to share your post on Facebook and Twitter. A side note: ignore the messages you will receive from illiterates inquiring if the cat is for sale. This will happen.
So stop bawling into your pillow and act! You’ll maximize your chances of being reunited with your furball if you stay proactive. And let’s be honest, the sooner the two of you are back together, the sooner you can ditch your Friday night plans to stay in with your real best friend.