Did you know that only 25% of lost cats are found by their owners? Why? Because searches are often not very active. Here are some simple tips for finding your cat.

While using social media and the help of your friends and family to find your cat is always recommended, nothing is more effective than a thorough search of the neighborhood. In other words: physically look for your pet in every possible nook and cranny; bushes, under balconies, in sheds, etc.

An outdoor cat is territorial, often visiting the same places in the neighborhood. The average distance an outdoor cat travels is 315 meters, which is about 17 houses from its home. Field search is more difficult, but studies show that 40% of cats are found by physically searching their usual territory.

An indoor cat will often be terrified to be outside its territory, which is your home. Since the environment is unfamiliar, it will hide and may stay hidden for several days or even weeks. An indoor cat will rarely run more than 50 meters from its home, that is, two and a half houses away. It is, therefore, possible for the owner to be very active in his physical search.

Here are some commonly heard misconceptions:

Yay! The warm, sunny days finally seem to be back, and with them, a lot of activities you'll want to share with your canine friend. As a good guardian, you are cautious, informed, and prepared... until a last-minute errand comes up and Fido is left alone in the car in the convenience store parking lot.

Woof, it's hot in here!
Did you know that the temperature inside a vehicle parked in the sun will rise about 20⁰C every 10 minutes? Which means that a dog locked in a car parked in the sun at an outside temperature of 20⁰C can feel the effects in less than 10 minutes, and even risk his life after only 20 minutes?

What does heatstroke in a pooch look like?

If you suspect your dog may be suffering from heatstroke, find a shady spot, wrap him in a cool (not icy!) towel or wet cloth to help bring his body temperature down, and contact your veterinarian immediately.

If you see a distressed dog left in a car in hot weather, report the incident to the authorities.