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Have you called your local pound??
Derry Dog Shelter - Derry City Council -
Tel: 028 71261414
Opening hours: Monday - Friday - 10-11am & 3.30-4.30pm;
Saturday - 11am - 12noon
Please contact us with a description and a photograph (if possible)
if you have lost a pet . We will post the information on this site
and perhaps you will be reunited with your beloved pet.
If you have
found an abandoned cat or dog please contact us immediately, plase also notify the pound.
If you feel the dog or cat is abandoned or unwanted please contact
us and we will advise you on what to do next. Tel: 082 71812882.
TIPS: Print leaflets and put a photo (if possible) with animal description, your contact details and put photocopied posters up in vets, local shops in the area the animal went missing. Ask neighbours to check sheds and outbuildings, contact local radio stations.
Try www.lostandfoundpets.ie and www.lostandfound.ie
What to do if you've lost your cat
If after all your care your cat still goes missing there are things
that you can do Remember, speed Is very important - starting the
search sooner rather than later gives a much better chance of success.
1. Compose a leaflet giving a good description of your cat, age, sex,
whether neutered, colour, noting any distinguishing features and, if
possible, Including a recent photograph. Make photocopies and leaflet
the entire area, not just your road but all the surrounding area.
People soon forget a notice in the shop window but tend to focus on
a leaflet through the door. Ask local shops to display one in a
prominent position, also the local vet, surgeries, supermarket
notice boards etc. Contact the local welfare groups on a daily basis.
2. Advertise in the press and continue to put ads. in after the
initial three days. Cats have been found months after being lost,
mainly due to their owners' perseverance.
3. Ask neighbours to check sheds and garages. If there is construction
work in progress in the area check carefully and alert the builders.
4. Go around the roads calling him by name and also using whatever
method you use to call him to meals e.g. banging a tin or glass.
5. The corporation garbage disposal men are usually very helpful
and sympathetic and will be able to give you a description of any
cat, victim of an accident, that has been found in the area. Knowing
that you cat has died is heartbreaking but preferable to not knowing
where or how he is.
6. Don't give up hope too soon; keep searching and follow up every lead.
How not to lose your cat
There are few things more heartbreaking for cat owners than when
their dearly loved pet goes missing. Numerous cats are lost every
year and sadly, few are reunited with their original owners. Cats
are lost for many reasons and it must be equally traumatic for a
cat to find itself lost and suddenly a stray, foraging for food and
shelter. Unless your cat is an indoor cat it is not really possible
to completely ensure that he will not wander or be stolen but here
are a few tips to minimise the risk of this happening to your cat.
1. Be sure that your cat wears a safe collar with an identity disc
firmly attached, clearly printed with your name and phone number.
Make sure that it is neither too tight nor too loose. If too loose
the cat can get its front leg caught in it causing distress and
possible injury. If you move house don't forget to update the
identity disc. (A very safe collar is used by the CPL in England.
Further details about obtaining these collars can be had by
contacting Cats' Aid at Box 2874, Dublin 4)
2. Always keep your cat in at night and, if you have a cat flap
make sure it is locked for the night. Cats frequently go missing
when left out at night and are often the victims of road traffic
accidents. If you experience difficulty in getting him in, do not
allow him out after his evening meal - he will soon become
accustomed to a fixed routine, settling down happily for the night.
3. Have your cat neutered. Neutered cats, both male and female,
are far less likely to roam.
4. When transporting cats always use a secure pet carrier. It is
asking for trouble to carry your cat, no matter how docile, in your
arms. A cardboard box is also inappropriate - a frightened cat will
easily find a way out. A surprising number of cats are lost going
to or from the vet surgery.
5. If you are going to be away for more than a day or two and unless
a responsible member if the family will be in the house, book your
cat into a reputable cattery. Your vet, will probably have boarding
kennels or be able to advise you. Make the booking in good time and
be sure that vaccinations are up to date. It is not advisable to
ask a friend to come in and feed your cat during your absence. He
does not know that your absence is temporary and will often go
looking for you or other human company, go too far and get lost,
be stolen or be the victim of an accident. This is very traumatic
for your friend, for you and particularly for your cat. We get
numerous calls every holiday time saying "when we returned our
cat was missing."
6. If there is no one at home for long periods on a daily basis,
be sure your cat is not left without access to the house where he
has his bed, food and water. If you live on a very busy road or
if it is not a very safe area, e.g. unsupervised dogs, leave your
cat indoors until you are there to supervise his forays into the
garden.
7. If there are workmen in the house either book your cat into a
boarding kennels or ensure that it is securely locked in a room
with food, water and litter tray. Cats can be very upset by
strangers and noisy activity and one cannot rely on workmen to
keep doors and gates closed. Don't even think about getting a new
cat or kitten if there is renovation work going on or envisaged
in the near future.
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