Cat seen falling out of owners vehicle is found nearly 2 months later!

This handsome orange cat Wally was napping in his owners vehicle when she left to run an errand. 

She had no idea he was up in there until she saw this video...

To her shock, her rearview camera showed an orange blur drop out of the car, tumble in the road and scramble to safety on a nearby street.

Wally was found with the help of the Lost Cat Finder guidance from afar plus help from Austin locals like Shawna who picked dup a lot of my methods when she lost her cat years ago.

Happy ending for all and Wally is home. He did break a leg, and his claws were shredded but he's alive and safely back home! 


Here's a note from the cat's owner a month later:

"Wally is doing well.  Slowly gaining back the weight he lost.  He did break a back leg pretty badly.  We think it was when he fell out of the truck based on how much it had healed by the time I found him 45 days later.  I will try to attach a pic of the x-ray here.  All of his nails were really worn down too.  I think he must have used them a lot getting out of the sewer drains and worn them down on the concrete.

The vet did talk about having to amputate his broken leg, given how awkwardly it healed while he was lost.  BUT in the last six weeks he has managed very well with his gimpy leg and we think he just might be able to keep it!  Yay!

Please tell anyone who loses their cat to not give up!  Contact the Lost Cat Finder! I was close to giving up every week, but I just kept thinking of Wally out there wondering why I hadn't come to pick him up yet, so I had to keep trying.  

It still amazes me that I got him back after 45 days!!!

Dianne


Why you should still use Craigslist for Austin lost pets.

 Many owners looking for a lost pet ask why I still recommend using Craigslist Austin Pets when there are so many Facebook groups now for lost and found pets.



Yes, I know Craigslist can be fraught with scammers and people who might try to take advantage of a bad situation, but there is one very good reason to still use Craigslsit.

Becasue whether in Austin or elsewhere in the country, when the typical person finds a pet and look up "lost pets near me" they are going to check CRAIGSLIST first to see if anyone has reported the pet missing.

Craigslist for Austin Lost Pets is key.









The finder is likely to check Craigslist first -- and may not check it a second time.

 So get that LOST PET photo up immediately so if your pet is found, their picture and your contact info is THERE and ready for the finder to see and call.

You see, Facebook lost pet groups and Pawboost pages are about 90% made up of people who have posted their own lost pets over the years. Most drift away after the pet is found so the big numbers are misleading.

PAWBOOST

As of 2020, Pawboost is basically showing your cat's post to other pet owners with lost pets at the moment who are already on Pawboost. They post your pet on their Pawboost page: so the chances of a person who finds your cat aware of or intentionally checking Pawboost or other social media companies who make millions by guilting owners into paying to "boost" a picture are not on the radar of the average Joe. They get your email address after luring you in with a "free poster" and like many sites who make their fortunes by giving away something free, they will capture your email address and bug you until you pay them for their "Most Popular Plan."

FREE...at first.

Even if you buy a plan, there is more upsell on the way. Most of the people who are seeing the photos they post are the other people who  have paid them to post or "boost" lost pets over the years. This is how they can claim such a large "rescue squad" It's all the people who have lost pets in the past and given them their email adress.

Basically, their "rescue squad" is their former clients.

I am not saying you should not use social media. It has helped get many pets found, especially dogs. I am just saying do not rely on it or the false sense that it is some magic tool  reaching as many eyeballs as they claim.

BOTTOM LINE:

Everyone knows about Craigslist, and it's the first place most check when they find a lost pet.

Make sure your lost pet is posted there. 


NOTE if anyone claims to have found your lost cat or dog, DEMAND a photo immediately. And it probably goes without saying but when you have a lost pet,  never never give out your home address.

These days the Craigslist for Austin pets and cities all over the country can get jammed full of other companies advertising more ways to get money from pet owners for posting "amber alerts." Just know they are violating community guidelines and clogging up space where actual lost pets should be posted and seen.

Unless someone has personally found at least 12 lost cats on their own (or is willing to learn professional pet finder techniques and go out crawling on their knees and searching, I would take all their claims with a full shaker of salt.


Nothing replaces knowledge when it comes to lost pet behavior, especially for a cat search.


This is why I do what I do. Teaching people the actual methods designed for cats -- not dogs -- is what gets them found.

In my opinion, Finding Rover and Pawboost are possibly designed for dogs who roam where people see them and can get a photo and get concerned.


Cats keep their cool. Lost stressed cats rarely roam around greeting people out in the open and even when they do, most people do not think twice or get concerned unless the cat is near starvation and crying for help. on't let it get to that point.


Please I beg you, if you have a lost cat, post their photo on the Austin Craigslst for lost pets!


Then post on your Next-door.


Then call me or visit lostcatfinder.com for the most efficient use of your next three hours.


I will step you through how to Search smart in those first 48 hours. I will show you how to make use of the techniques I've developed over the 9 years I've found cats full time.

And I will celebrate with you when your cat is found, even when Pawboost takes the credit.



Kim Freeman

Lost Cat Search & Rescue

www.LostCatFinder.com

"the Pet Detective for Cats"

Cat up a tree missing nine days is home!

Allison sent the good news this morning. So relieved she found me and requested some custom Lost Cat Finder advice!


Albert is doing well - he lost a little weight, his nails are a bit frayed and broken, and he has a small scratch on one of his paw pads. Other than that, physically he is fine. 

He was spooked at first and it took him a while to stop meowing and pacing around the house. He eventually settled down and took a long nap on our bed and spent his waking hours jumping into view on all of my video conference calls during the workday. My colleagues who were aware of his disappearance shared my excitement that he had returned.

 I had heard from other neighbors that those dogs snatched another cat in the neighborhood that same week and killed him. Needless to say, I was worried that Albert had suffered the same fate and I was putting off going to the owner of the dogs' property to search because he's known to be a very intimidating man that carries a gun and doesn't have much remorse about his dogs getting loose and causing trouble. BUT my parents swore that the dogs hadn't come back that night after Albert ran up the tree and none of the neighbors I asked said that they had seen / smelled any other dead cats since his disappearance.

 The last several days I was thinking about how heartbreaking it would be for us to return to our home in Philadelphia without Albert, knowing that he might be lost in another state and never getting closure. I'm so grateful that he made his way back home and I'm still in disbelief!

Your materials gave me a boost when I had hit a low point during my search. I was feeling helpless and was not getting much support from my husband or family about searching further. Thank you again for your support and guidance, I can't express how appreciative I am.

All my best, 
Allison

On Wed, Aug 5, 2020 at 11:53 AM Kim the Cat Detective <lostcatfinder@gmail.com> wrote:
Thank you for the wonderful sweet photos with Albert, Allison!
I am SO HAPPY he is home. I always worry when there are loose dogs as it only takes two to go into pack mentality.

Hurrah! So happy for you both :-)

Kim

photo
Kim Freeman
Lost Cat Search & Rescue



#lostcatfinder

#catdetective



 

Tips for your cats during Covid -19 Corona Virus Quarantine

Guest post from Cat Consultant, Lana Fraley Rich.



You and Your Feline during the Corona Virus Quarantine

Most of us are spending a lot more time in our homes than we ever have. 
 I was thinking about how important my home environment is and how it impacts my quality of life. Then, it hit me. My 2 indoor feline family members have spent their whole lives at "home"  (except for checkups at the vet).  They don't go to work, the grocery store, the park or run errands, see friends or go on vacations.  They stay home all the time!  
Maybe during this time, we can get a glimpse of what that reality feels like.
While I am aware of the necessity of proper feline environmental enrichment, I am now even more committed to emphasizing the role it plays in the quality of life for our feline family members.  There are things which are extremely important every cat home should have AND there are things which should not be in any cat home!
Shoulds
·       All feline-friendly homes need to have multiple high places so cats can be "up" because in the wild, trees are where they go to feel safe.  Tall, sturdy cat trees or proper, safe wall ledges work great.  Even the top of a refrigerator, top of kitchen cabinets or a shelf on a tall bookcase will do.
·       Our feline friends need safe cat toys!  Rotate the toys regularly to prevent boredom.  Remember, cats don't usually hunt plastic in the wild!  Email me for a list of great cat toys!
·       Cats need at least one high-intensity work-out every day—with you—not chasing the other cats, etc.  You are probably seeing more people out walking their dogs than ever now.  Cats need to exercise too!  Outdoor cats spend 4-6 hr./day hunting.  Our indoor cats have the same innate need to "hunt." I call it "Playtime"! It is a MUST!
Should NOTS
·       Avoid access to any string, rubber bands, hair ties, etc. that could be swallowed. Prevent an expensive surgery or worse.
·       Avoid using any scented candles (even if you don't burn them), "wick sticks", plug-ins, sprays or scented cat litter.  These products are designed for OUR noses!  Most of these products contain artificial scents which could be carcinogenic.  And, our feline family members have a much stronger sense of smell so these products are irritating to their noses and their respiratory tract.
·       Avoid liquid or spray disinfectants containing phenol (Lysol, PineSol, etc.) as it is extremely dangerous for cats –and dogs.  It can cause serious liver damage—or worse!  Our pets can pick it up on any surface with their paw pads. Even the fumes can be dangerous.  There are several better effective—and safe—alternatives to clean and disinfect our homes.
If you are seeing new cat behaviors you never noticed before, now is the ideal time for a professional and  personalized cat behavior consultation. You are home and have more time to implement your treatment plan!

The Catsultant® can help you via FaceTime/Skype/Zoom to provide a virtual in-home cat behavior consultation. This includes a customized treatment plan and a 30-day follow-up period.
©2020, Catsultant® | 972.612.4106 (o)  512.636.7999 (c) | lana@catsultant.com
Catsultant and Catsultation are registered trademarks of Lana Fraley Rich

Lost Cat Finder and search cat Henry featured in CATSTER magazine

For anyone who does not know about Henry, he's the Silent Partner at Lost Cat Finder.

Henry and I are featured in the April/May issue of CATSTER magazine for our work as pet detectives finding lost cats. Such an honor!

The Pet Finder for Lost Cats



"I'll take "How to Find a Lost Cat" for 25, Alex."



"If my cat was lost and I heard about someone who could  improve my chances —how is that even a decision?"
- - Karin Heckl
Finalist on Jeopardy

How I became a Lost Pet Finder for lost kitties

When people ask why I became a lost cat finder, I tell them about my own missing cat who disappeared when I lived in Canyon Lake in 2008.

There are a lot of myths out there about missing kitties and I had heard them all.

But I also got met with very disappointing indifference and plenty of comments like "a coyote killed your cat" which seems to be the go-to assumption in Texas.

Despite no support or help from friends and family, I DID find my (neutered and microchipped) lost cat, and he was NOT injured by a coyote, not looking for a girlfriend, and not able to "come home when he gets hungry: My missing cat was trapped in a metal shipping container on a ranch next door.

My missing cat would have died if I had not begged to mean, unfriendly neighbors, to let me search. Even the ones who said no saw my emotional state and said they would "check around" so as hard as it was to approach people when I was in such despair, I leaned it is ABSOLUTELY KEY, especially with a lost outdoor i.e., allowed outside access cat.

I also learned to never assume ANYTHING or give up too soon when there's a chance your cat's life is hanging n the balance of your efforts.

So THIS is why I am a pet finder for lost kitties, AKA a pet detective for lost cats.

I remember how it feels.

I remember the lame advice.

I remember how alone it feels when friends tell you to move on.

But I ALSO remember the joy when my cat, Mister Purr was found ALIVE.




New contact for Lost Cat Finder


New phone number for Kim, the lost cat finder: 
404-996-0116

Service options as of September 2018:

$25 Instant download on-demand video tutorial + ebook (82 pages). Guaranteed. Refund available if the cat is not found in ten days.


$50 For a quickie consult, perfect for those who have already skimmed the booklet but don’t need the full Lost Cat Profiling.


$250 LOCAL SEARCH & RESCUE In-person Lost Cat Search & Rescue cases are $250 for a local Atlanta/Decatur on-site search. This includes lost cat flyers, posters, and my boots-on-the-ground search with neighborhood interviews.


$500 Out of-State Search

In-person search for lost cats out of state or beyond a 3-hour drive. Includes video + book as well as tasks like distributing lost cat flyers, creating neon “ Lost cat posters” plus door-to-door interviews, getting your neighbor’s permission to search their yards, garages, and sheds to find your lost cat. No stone left unturned using my personal experience, equipment and resources to find your missing cat even if you’re at work or traveling.



Details on the Cat Detective services are at www.LostCatFinder.com/rates

Purrs & Peace,

Kim and Henry






Listing on Austin Pets Alive Resources:
https://www.austinpetsalive.org/get-pet-help/other-resources/

LOST CAT KIT: prep for July 4th fireworks (cat specific advice)

As a professional pet detective and lost cat finder, I’ve seen the results of cats escaping during the chaos of holidays and July 4thfireworks. The owners are often in a panic over a situation that could have been avoided or planned for in case of emergency.

Here are my Top 10 precautions to take BEFORE it comes down to an emergency. First, make sure your cat is micro-chipped AND wearing a collar, preferably orange as it is the most visible color to the human eye. 

Below are additional preparations you can make in case your cat ever gets out or ends up missing.
Lost Cat Kit Coaching Plan























SAFE TRANSPORT
This sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many pet owners put their cats at risk. A cat inside a car can escape when involved in a traffic accident, or jump out prematurely when a door is opened (see the case of this cat slipping out at gas station at night). Cat carriers have been known to break open during traffic accidents, in vet parking lots, and on conveyor belts at airports. No matter how crabby your cat becomes with confinement, make sure you transport him/her in a secure carrier.

HAVE PHOTOS READY
Keep a recent photo of your cat on hand showing their face and body markings in case you need it for a lost cat flyer or missing cat poster. The ideal picture for a lost cat poster is a side view, sitting or standing, looking at the camera: essentially, in position strangers would see them out in the world.

PREPARE A LOST CAT KIT
Store photos, microchip number and a mock-up lost cat flyer where they’re easy to access. Should you ever need them, this kit will save you precious time and stress. The best preparation is to the ebook and on-demand video, How to Find a Lost Cat” so you can swing into action immediately with the appropriate steps for your situation. Also key is avoiding the common mistakes of putting out food or cat litter. You can order a full lost cat search kit plus strategy coaching at my website www.LostCatFinder.com where anyone in the world can get professional lost cat advice.
GPS cat trackers are only one option







GPS TRACKING COLLARS






Look carefully from a low level: push on all boards to see if any are loose. Humans typically look downward and don’t see what our pets see. Pets have the time and interest to look, poke, and push in their efforts to escape. From their level, they may have found a small hole or loose board you did not see. Remove any items leaning on or next to your fence. Woodpiles, garbage containers, kid toys, boxes, etc. next to a fence are a great springboard for cats to get over any fence, so make sure you are not offering an easy route out.
This ebook comes with a new "How to Find a Lost Cat" video available on-demand at www.LostcatFinder.com

It seems like GPS on a collar would be good for those adventurous cats who like to roam, but so far, they are still bulky and easily foiled. There are several devices on the market including the unwieldy Whistle, but based on my clients’ lost cats, I’ve found that RF technology works the best in terms of finding a cat’s exact location. GPS only works under open sky, and cats are often under things where satellite cannot reach.



ID & MICROCHIP
Even if you never let your cat out, you never know when an emergency will happen and your cat is lost. A visitor may leave the door open, cat carriers can break, a visitor could leave a window open or a burglar could break into your home, leaving the door open for your cat to escape outside. Paramedics could have to go to your or a relative’s home, and leave the door open during an emergency procedure.
We’ve even seen pets ejected from cars in traffic accidents. Most people never think these events are all unlikely. But even indoor-only cats should wear a collar, tag and microchip because if they escape outside, they’re at risk of ultimately ending up in an animal shelter long after you have stopped searching.

Use a breakaway collar or a stretchy cat collar with Velcro that a cat can back out of if it becomes snagged.
Micro-chipping is equivalent to implanting a serial number in your pet as a means to return property to their rightful owner. Microchips are not GPS trackers they are for Identification, detectable with a microchip scanner used by shelters, veterinarians, and rescue groups. Make sure your cat is micro-chipped and especially make sure that chip is registered to YOU at your CURRENT address and phone number.

PROOF OF OWNERSHIP
Be able to demonstrate proof that you own your cat, as there is no guarantee the person who finds your pet will be willing to give it back to you. You will need to have something to show an officer to prove that this animal belongs to you. The best method to show proof of ownership is to have your pet micro chipped. Check with your local shelter, rescue groups, and veterinarians to have this simple procedure performed (a shot where a microchip the size of a rice grain is implanted under your pet’s skin). If your pet has any special markings, markings inside their mouth, scars, tattoos, etc., photograph these areas and keep these photos in a special location with your cat’s vet records.

KEEP PHOTOS WITH YOUR VET
It is a good idea to keep a set of records and current pet photos with your veterinarian (they can be attached to your pet’s file). This way, your pet’s photo will be available should your home be destroyed (during fire or flood) or if the photos you kept at home get lost or destroyed.




JULY 4th, THANKSGIVING,  AND NEW YEAR’S EVE 
There are the main days of the year when your cat is especially at risk of escaping. Put your cat in a safe room with all creature comforts and lots of places to hide and blankets to drown out noise and keep them feeling safe from the sounds of fireworks parties and strangers.


BE NEIGHBORLY
Make sure your neighbors know you have a cat whether your cat is indoor only or outdoor access. That way, if your cat ever escapes they will know who it belongs to and will be more likely to rescue and return it to you when they see it. Also, being a good neighbor will increase the chances that your neighbors will be your friends when your pet becomes lost. If your cat routinely roams and stalks birds or poops on your neighbor’s property, make sure you have preempted any complaints by asking neighbors to let you know if your cat is a problem for them in any way. Be a responsible cat owner.

SECURE YOUR PROPERTY
Check carefully along perimeter of your fence for spaces or holes that you can fit a hand or fist into. Cats can get through tiny spaces, so add rocks or pack dirt to close them up. You’ll prevent your cat’s potential escape, as well as keep other critters from popping under for a visit. For those who let their cats out into the backyard, be warned; I’ve had many cases of cats who “always stayed in the backyard” yet vanished. Cats can jump five times their height, so unless you have secured the holes AND have a catio or roll-top fence, your cat may unpleasantly surprise you with ninja escape abilities.


TRAIN YOUR CAT to come when you call, let you pick him up when outside and to enter a baited humane trap. Humane traps are one of the primary tools to recover an indoor-only cat. If you know that your cat will never be allowed free access out- doors, then teach your cat that humane traps = food and safety.

Order a humane trap (available here) and secure open both ends with a bungee cord. Feed your cat inside the trap every day for a week until he enters and leaves without fear. If your cat should ever escape outdoors, you will increase your chances of recovery as your cat associates traps with food and is not afraid to enter. DO NOT train your cat to enter a trap if you live in an apartment complex in case the manager or a pest company sets up traps to remove feral cats.

COLLECT AND STORE SCENT & DNA
In the event your cat becomes lost and you need an animal trained to track lost pets, you’ll want to have a clean unadulterated sample of your pet’s scent. Save whiskers especially as they have a root attached which can be used to determine DNA. If no whiskers are available, put on a rubber glove, use a sterile gauze pad and wipe your pet’s body – wipe back, tummy, and mouth. Place the gauze pad inside a plastic bag. Write the date and your pet’s name on the outside of the bag. Try to have your cat’s DNA on hand in case it’s needed for making a positive ID. Collect a whisker, toenail clippings, and a few hairs that you have pulled from your pet which include the root. Shed hairs will not do– you need the root (which contains the DNA). Place all of these AND your gauze pad into the bag and place the bag in the back of your freezer. If you have multiple pets, make separate bags for each of them.

BIRD ALERTS
Should your cat ever escape, listen to the birds. They will issue raucous alarm sounds to let others know there is a predator in the area. Even if you just want to know where your outdoor access cat is at the moment, learn to listen to bird language to know when your cat has been spotted by these air spies. Blue jays and mockingbirds are very vocal when they spot a cat and make a specific call you can learn and tune into.

Examples of bird alarms on cats are included in my ebook, How to Find a Lost Cat as well as a chapter on tracking, coyote signs and clue assessment.


 
Kim Freeman, “The Cat Detective”