July is National Pet Loss Prevention Month

Wondering how to prevent your cat from getting lost or wandering too far? Well, even the thought of your cat going missing is one of the most dreadful nightmares. Your cat is a beloved member of your family and losing it can be a devastating event in your life.

Here are a few steps that you can take to prevent your cat from getting lost.

● Get your cat microchipped Microchips have reasonably helped reduce the percentage of lost cats that end up in shelters. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and a syringe is used to implant it. The whole process is done only in a few moments and your cat won’t even notice it’s there.

● Keep your cat inside It's safest to keep your cat indoors. An indoor cat is always safer than an outdoor kitty. Choose a variety of interesting toys to make indoors more fascinating for your cat. You can even get puzzle feeders to engage your cat's hunting instinct.

● Add ID Tags to your cat's collar If your feline member will tolerate wearing a collar, then get a brightly colored custom collar with ID tags. No matter where you're keeping your cat, make sure their ID tag is on and updated. Write your name, address, contact number, and final destination. It will let everyone know your kitty is domesticated.

● Neuter or spay your cat Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent roaming around when it wants to mate. The urge for an intact cat to mate is very strong. Spaying or neutering will definitely lessen the effect. Cats can be spayed or neutered as young as eight weeks.

● Escape proof your home It's very important that your home stays safe and secure for your feline members. Check that all possible escape exits, like windows and doors, are secure. Be especially careful during stressful times like festivals, Halloween, fireworks, and weather extremes. A calm and relaxed cat can get stressed, become anxious, and behave unusually during such times. Quick note: Always be prepared. Get yourselves as prepared as possible in case something ever happens to your cat.

● Have all the documentation ready, organized, and easy to locate. ● Take photos of your cat from different angles, in case it becomes lost. These can be invaluable for use on leaflets, flyers, giving out at shelters, and vet clinics. ● Have the contact details of local shelters, vet clinics, and animal rescues.

Final thoughts As a feline parent, you are responsible for taking good care of your cat. Unfortunately, so many cats go missing every year. This is indeed a very stressful time for feline owners.

July is "National Lost Pet Prevention Month" and serves as a reminder to take steps to keep from losing our cats. If you found these tips useful, don’t forget to share the post with your feline friends. It's better to be safe, rather than sorry! Until next time everyone