It has been estimated that up to 360,000 cats are stolen a year, although over half of these are eventually returned. With a greater understanding of the risks of cat theft, cat owners are in a much stronger position to keep their pets safe.

What cats are most likely to be stolen?

8 Most stolen cat breeds

• Bengal. The Bengal was the name most noticed by experts when asked which breeds were most likely to be stolen. ...
• Siamese. A constant favorite of cat owners is the Siamese cat. ...
• Russian Blue. ...
• Ragdoll. ...
• Maine Coon. ...
• Sphynx. ...
• Scottish Fold. ...
• Domestic Shorthair.

Are cats at risk of being stolen?

Additional research in 2017 found that 360,000 adults believed a cat had been stolen from their care during the previous 12 months. 55% of these people had their cat returned. The actual number of stolen cats is likely to be something above 261, but below 360,000.

What do I do if someone steals my cat?

If you suspect someone's stolen your cat, file a report with the police straight away. Afterward, put up fliers with your cat's photo, register your cat as missing with local authorities, check with animal shelters and vets, and start posting your stolen cat's face on social media.

How many cats are stolen each year?

The American Humane Association estimates over 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the U.S. every year. One in three pets will become lost at some point during their life. Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats).

Understanding the wave of catalytic converter thefts

What percentage of lost cats come home?

Of stray animals entering shelters in USA and Australia, reported reclaim percentages for cats are typically 2–4% compared to reclaim percentages for dogs which usually range from 26–40%, but can be as high as 90% [6,7,8]. Cats are 13 times more likely to return to owners by means other than a visit to a shelter [9].

Why are cats thieves?

Your cat is trying to be like their ancestors by simulating hunting. It's only natural for them and nicking your things could act as a substitute to their prey. If this is the reason, they're more likely to move your things around, rather than stealing and hiding them away.

How do you know if someone took your cat?

The best way to know for sure that your pet was stolen is by witnessing the crime: either by seeing someone take your pet or by getting an eyewitness report. If you're unsure, consider whether the evidence points to a stolen pet or a lost pet before contacting the police.

What do you do if someone won't give you your cat back?

People who believe their animal is being wrongfully withheld can sue (replevin action) to try to get the animal returned and can contact the police (although the police tend not to get involved in pet custody disputes between “friends”).

Do cats ever leave home?

In some cases, cats can even stay away from home for up to 10 days at a time. We also know of cats that leave home while their humans are away on holiday, returning soon after the family arrives back. And in some instances, cats that have been missing for years have eventually been reunited with their owners.

Can a cats microchip come out?

Once inserted, a cat cannot feel the microchip and the special capsule around it means that it does not break down and is designed to last your pet's lifetime. The microchip is coded with a unique number that can be read by a scanner.

Do Maine coons get stolen?

Due to the Maine Coons fairly laid back personality, they can be kept as either indoor or outdoor cats. Many Maine Coon owners prefer to keep them indoors however, as they are a very coveted breed and they have been known to get stolen when left to go outside alone.

Why do cats go missing?

Cats are territorial. When an outdoor-access cat suddenly vanishes, it means that something has happened to that cat to interrupt its normal behavior of coming home. The disappearance could mean that the cat is injured, trapped, or deceased within its territory.

Where do cats go when they run away?

Search Your Home and Alert Neighbors

Cats will usually stay within a 3-4 house radius from where they went out as long as they can find a place to hide within that area. They look for the first place to hide and then they stay there (sometimes for days on end) as long as it is safe and dry.

What can you do if your neighbor steals your cat?

Advice for Recovering a Stolen Pet:

1. File a police report with your local police department or sheriff's office immediately. ...
2. Follow the suggestions on our lost pet advice pages. ...
3. We strongly recommend that you Post a lost report . ...
4. Canvass the area where your pet was last seen to see if anyone observed the theft.

Why do cats go missing for days?

Basic instincts govern felines, so your house cat may go missing for hours or even days at a time. Usually, a cat wandering off is due to curiosity, hunting, or territorial instincts. Cats like to explore their terrain, which could keep them away from home for a while.

Will my cat come back home?

Yes, cats can return home many days, weeks, months, and even years after they wandered off or were lost. According to the Lost Pet Research project, there were reports of cats traveling 50-80 miles in 2.5 years, 38 miles in 6 months, 30 miles in 10 days, and 20 miles in 21 days.

Do cats always come back?

Tens of thousands of cats go missing every year, in fact there are 6.5 million lost cats in Europe at any one time and it is calculated that 25% of them will never be reunited with their owners. That's more than 1.6 million lost cats who will not be seen again by their human families!

How far can a cat hear you calling?

Their acute hearing enables them to predict movements and know precisely when to successfully pounce on and capture their target. Cats can locate a sound from up to 3 feet away and pinpoint the location of the sound within 3 inches.

How long should my cat be missing before I worry?

You do not need to worry if your cat leaves, however, if it has been more than two days, you should consider notifying your local vet and animal warden that your animal has not come back, as they might have been injured, preventing them from coming home.

How long should you look for a lost cat?

You must continue to search in all ways possible and you must not give up too soon. While most pets are recovered within thirty days, cats may not "surface" for many weeks or even months. It is not unusual for for Pet FBI users to report happy reunions long after their cat went missing.

Should I be worried if my cat hasn't come home?

If your cat has been missing overnight and is not home the following morning, check the house from top to bottom. They may have come in when you were not looking, or they might have found a new secret place to hide. It's possible that they aren't feeling well or may have been hurt.

How do you attract a cat back home?

Use strong smelling canned cat food that your cat can smell from a distance so your cat knows where to go for food. Also, put your cat's litter box and any bedding that has your cat's scent on it outside to attract your cat back to your home. Cat's have an amazing sense of smell!

Do cats remember where they live?

Cats have a great sense of smell, and they're big fans of spreading their personal scent. Outside cats mark their territory with urine and rub up against objects to leave behind specific scent markers. It's likely that they use these scent markers to know where they are and where they're going.

Why you should not get a Maine Coon cat?

While the Maine Coon is generally considered to be a healthy cat, there are still a few key health problems that are commonly found in the breed. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy are the three most common health problems in Maine Coon Cats.