My name is Myriam. A few years ago, our cat Willy fell from an open window and ran away. He was microchipped, he was loved, but he was afraid of strangers. We searched for him for weeks. Here is everything I wish I had known on that first evening.
You are not alone: in France, a cat is reported lost to the national pet registry every 8 minutes, and cats make up more than 75% of all animals reported lost (I-CAD, 2024).
1. Don't panic: search very close first
A cat that goes outside for the first time, or that got scared, usually doesn't go far. It hides, often just a few houses away: under a car, in a bush, a basement, a garden shed, an open garage.
- Search your whole home (cupboards, washing machine, behind furniture): many "lost" cats never left the house.
- Walk around the neighborhood with a flashlight: a cat's eyes reflect the light.
- Search when it's quiet, early in the morning and at dusk.
- Call softly, shake the treat box, then wait in silence: a frightened cat rarely answers right away.
2. Tell your neighbors
Ask neighbors to check their garages, basements and sheds: a cat can get locked in without anyone noticing. Leave them your number.
3. Report the loss
- In your national pet registry (in France, I-CAD): if your pet is microchipped, report it as lost in your owner account, using its identification number, so any vet who scans it knows you are looking for it.
- To local vets and shelters: call them and send a photo.
- To your town hall or animal control.
4. Spread the word
- Posters with a clear photo, the name, the date and your number, within about half a mile: shops, bakeries, vet clinics.
- Local Facebook groups and lost-pet pages.
- Ask friends and family to share on WhatsApp.
5. Mistakes to avoid
- Giving up after two days: some cats come back after several weeks.
- Running after your cat if you spot it: crouch down, talk softly, let it come to you.
- Forgetting to update the registry once your cat is home.
What a microchip doesn't do
A microchip is essential: according to I-CAD, owners of unidentified pets have 60% less chance of finding them. It identifies your cat when someone finds it and takes it to a vet. But it doesn't tell you where your cat is. Willy was microchipped, and it didn't help us find him, because no one could get close to him.
That's why my son Swann and I created PawTrack.
So it never happens again: PawTrack is a 28 g 4G GPS tracker that clips onto the collar and shows your pet live, with an alert the moment they leave their safe zone. Loss Guarantee included.
If your cat goes outdoors or may slip out unexpectedly, see our GPS tracker for cats guide for live tracking, safe-zone alerts and practical fit advice.
Sources: I-CAD (French national pet identification registry), summer 2024 report and press release on identification; French Ministry of Justice, "What to do if you lose a pet".