Helpful Tips

If your cat gets out

1. Search Inside First

Check every hiding spot: behind dressers, inside closets (high and low), in the hanging clothes as well, under beds or box-springs, behind appliances, inside couch frames or bed drawers, and under sinks near pipes.

2. If You’re Sure the Cat Is Outside

Leave a safe way back in: prop open a door or accessible window if you saw your cat get out.
Place a dish of strong-smelling food (e.g., tuna) and unwashed clothing of yours near the exit point.
Never put litter outside—it can attract predators.

3. Start Searching Right Away

Don’t wait for your cat to come home on its own. Ask friends or family to help.
Best times: late night (11 p.m.–2 a.m.) or early dawn, when it’s quiet and cats feel safer.
Move slowly, call softly, and gently shake a treat bag.
If you spot your cat, don’t chase. Sit down, speak calmly, toss a few treats. If it approaches, gently scruff or wrap in a towel and head indoors.

4. Look Close to Home First

Most lost cats hide within a block or two. After 24 hours, widen your search to 4–5 blocks.
Use a flashlight to check crawl spaces, garages, sheds, under decks, porches, and any 3–4" gap.
Ask neighbours to open garages or sheds in case your cat slipped in.

5. Get the Word Out

Post bright flyers with a colour photo, cat’s name, where/when lost, identifying marks, and a 24/7 phone number. Add “DO NOT TRY TO CATCH—CALL IF SEEN.”
Post on local social media (Facebook lost-and-found pet groups, Nextdoor, Pawboost, Craigslist, Kijiji, BCSPCA lost & found, Missing Pets in BC).
Notify local shelters, vets, and the microchip registry and confirm your contact info is current.

6. Consider a Humane Trap

If the cat won’t approach or has been missing for days, use a raccoon-size humane trap baited with tuna or rotisserie chicken.
Monitor at least every 2 hours. Cover the trap once the cat is caught and carry it indoors before opening.

7. Keep Following Up

Call shelters and clinics daily.
Check every lead and update posters/social posts as you get sightings.

Helpful Local Resources

Halo’s Pet Rescue – volunteer search-dog team on Facebook (donation optional).
Petsearchers,
Missing Pets in BC,
BCSPCA lost & found,
Pawboost,
Nextdoor.

RONA/Canadian Tire often sell humane traps;

CARES in Langley and Surrey Cats (info@surreycats.ca) lend traps.

Tip: Stay patient and calm. Many indoor cats are found very close to home—sometimes within a few yards—once things quiet down.

Dasha was found outside in Surrey with her three kittens. She was semi-feral, and it took awhile for her to warm up to her foster. But patience and the right techniques helped Dasha become friendly and trusting, after which she found her furever home.

Keep Your Cat Happy Indoors

Keeping your cat indoors is one of the best ways to protect them from injury, disease, predators, traffic, and getting lost. Indoor cats also live longer, healthier lives on average.

The good news is that with a little planning, indoor cats can enjoy happy, active, and fulfilling lives.

Create an Enriching Environment

Cats need opportunities to climb, scratch, play, explore, and rest.

Provide:

Sturdy cat trees or climbing shelves
Scratching posts and scratching pads
Cozy beds in quiet areas
Window perches for bird and wildlife watching
Safe hiding places where your cat can relax

Play Every Day

Daily play helps keep your cat physically fit and mentally stimulated.

Try:

Wand toys
Toy mice
Balls
Puzzle feeders
Treat-dispensing toys

Aim for two or three short play sessions each day, allowing your cat to chase, pounce, and "catch" their toy.

Provide Plenty of Scratching Options

Scratching is a natural behaviour that helps cats:

Stretch their muscles
Keep their claws healthy
Mark their territory
Relieve stress

Offer a variety of vertical and horizontal scratching surfaces throughout your home.

Feed Their Mind

Food puzzles and treat toys encourage natural hunting behaviours while slowing down fast eaters.

You can also hide small portions of kibble around the house to create a fun "treasure hunt."

Give Your Cat a View

Many cats enjoy watching birds, squirrels, and people through a window.

Consider placing a cat tree or window perch near a secure window to provide hours of entertainment.

Rotate Toys

Cats can become bored with the same toys.

Rotate toys every week or two to keep them interesting. Often, bringing out an old favourite makes it feel brand new again.

Consider a Cat Companion

Many cats enjoy the company of another friendly cat, especially if they are introduced properly. If you're considering adopting a second cat, speak with a rescue organization about finding a compatible match.

Explore the Outdoors Safely

If your cat enjoys being outside, choose safe alternatives to free roaming, such as:

A secure catio

This options allow your cat to enjoy fresh air without the dangers of traffic, predators, disease, or becoming lost.

Maintain Good Health

Keep your cat healthy by:

Scheduling regular veterinary checkups.
Keeping vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date.
Providing fresh water every day.
Feeding a balanced diet.
Monitoring weight and activity levels.

Love and Routine

Cats thrive on routine and positive interaction.

Spend time every day talking to your cat, playing, grooming, or simply relaxing together. Consistent routines help cats feel safe, secure, and confident.

A stimulating indoor environment allows cats to express their natural behaviours while protecting them from the many dangers they face outdoors. With love, enrichment,

Fleas In your Home and what to do

If your cat has fleas, it's important to treat both your cat and your home. Treating only your cat won't solve the problem because flea eggs, larvae, and pupae can survive in your home and continue the flea life cycle.

Step 1: Treat Your Cat

Use a veterinarian-recommended flea treatment that is appropriate for your cat's age and weight. Follow the product instructions carefully.

Never use flea products made for dogs on cats. Some dog flea medications contain ingredients that are highly toxic—and potentially fatal—to cats.

Step 2: Vacuum Thoroughly

Vacuum all carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, pet bedding, cracks along baseboards, and anywhere your cat spends time.

Pay special attention to:

Under furniture
Along baseboards
Cat trees and scratching posts
Vehicle interiors if your cat travels with you

Empty the vacuum canister or dispose of the vacuum bag immediately after each use.

Step 3: Wash Bedding

Wash your cat's bedding, blankets, and any washable soft furnishings your cat regularly uses in hot water, then dry them on the hottest dryer setting that is safe for the fabric.

Step 4: Continue Cleaning

Vacuum daily or every other day for several weeks. Vacuuming helps remove flea eggs and larvae and encourages flea pupae to hatch, making them easier to eliminate with ongoing treatment.

Step 5: Treat All Pets

If you have more than one dog or cat in your home, all pets should be treated for fleas at the same time, even if only one appears to have fleas.

Step 6: Be Patient

Fleas have a life cycle that can last several weeks. Even after treatment, you may continue to see newly emerged fleas for a short period. This does not necessarily mean the treatment isn't working.

Consistent treatment of your pets and regular cleaning of your home will gradually eliminate the infestation.