PAWS TO PONDER

by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.

Did you know our return to owner rate on lost cats is less than 1%?   Yet, every single day we receive calls about lost cats.  And Facebook is literally littered with them.  Some are indoor only and someone left the door open, or they are both inside/outside cats that always come home but didn’t this time.  I’ve already had my say on the indoor-outdoor risks.  Still today, some owners believe that cats want or need to have outdoor access to roam free.  In some cases, owners prefer not to have to scoop litterboxes.  I admit there are some cats who are so used to being outside that it is impossible to keep them in.  To me, the risks outweigh any benefit to the cat anytime. 

But there are times when an indoor only cat will inadvertently slip out of the house for unknown reasons.  These cats usually stay close to home because they are unfamiliar with being out in the world. But they go into hiding and do not make a sound so no amount of calling out to them or treat shaking will get them to come.  Our advice is to place unwashed human clothing and towels on the perimeter of the property to help the cat find its way home.  Putting food or the litter box outside in never a good idea as they will draw other unwanted animals.  

There have been countless stories of cats making their home weeks to months to years after going missing.  I recall quite a long time ago the shelter took in a friendly stray who became a resident after a few years and was finally relocated to the lobby for better viewing.   One day a person came to look at the cats and told us he had lost his beautiful cat going on several years and still misses her.  He looked down and suddenly saw HER sitting in her lobby cage.  It was one of the best reunions ever! 

And, just last week a compassionate woman found a stray cat that had been around her property for over a week.  Her first thought was to have her checked for a microchip. If she didn’t have one, the woman wanted to take her to a vet and would likely keep her.  Alas, the cat was microchipped, and the microchip was registered!  The family was contacted and rushed to the shelter with their young son.  When they showed the cat to their son he said “She looks like Lilith”.  The parents exclaimed, “it is Lilith”!

 We are so happy for the family and even more happy for Lilith, who was underweight and matted, but survived her outdoor ordeal.  Lilith is an indoor only cat who saw an open door and being curious found herself lost in her neighborhood for nearly 3 months. Curiosity didn’t kill this cat, but it was the kind finder and the registered microchip that brought her back home. 

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