Lost Cat Awareness Day: How to Keep Your Cat Safe

Did you know cats are 11 times more likely to go missing than dogs?⁽¹⁾ Yet, unlike dogs, they’ve never had a dedicated awareness day. That changes this year. On 15th September, the very first Lost Cat Awareness Day will take place, created by identi, to shine a light on just how vulnerable cats can be when they slip away from home, and the simple steps you can take to protect them.

Why Do Cats Go Missing?

Our cats are naturally curious and adventurous, which is part of what makes them so special – but it can also lead them into tricky situations. The risks can vary depending on whether your cat lives mainly indoors or spends time outdoors, but understanding them is the first step towards keeping your cat safe:

Reasons that outdoor cats go missing:

• Following prey or wandering further than usual
• Being startled by loud noises like fireworks or traffic
• Getting trapped in garages, sheds, or vehicles
• Moving house and trying to return to their old territory
• In some cases, theft (particularly of pedigree breeds)

Reasons that indoor cats go missing:

• Slipping out through an open door or window unnoticed
• Escaping during visitors, deliveries, or home maintenance
• Being startled by sudden noises or unfamiliar people
• Curiosity leading them into unsafe hiding places (basements, attics, or even appliances)

Cats are resourceful, but they can also be vulnerable. Understanding the situations that can lead to them going missing is the first step in helping keep them safe.

7 Ways to Keep Your Cat Safe and Prevent Them From Going Missing

1. Microchip Your Cat

Microchipping is one of the most effective ways to help a missing cat get home. In many regions, such as the UK and South Australia, it is required by law. Wherever you live, make sure your cat is microchipped and that your contact details are current on a recognised pet microchip database.

• Have the microchip placed by a vet or trained professional
• Register the chip with an approved database in your country or region
• Keep your phone number, email, and address up-to-date
• If you have adopted or rehomed a cat, transfer the chip into your name
  

An up-to-date registration means vets, shelters, rescues, and local authorities can reach you quickly if your cat is found.

2. Give Your Cat an ID Tag

A microchip is essential, but it can only be read with a special scanner at a vet or shelter. The first person to meet your missing cat is likely to be a regular passer-by. An ID tag tells them right away that your cat is owned and loved, and gives them an easy way to match your cat's name and details to missing posters so that they can take them to a location where their chip can be scanned.

Recommended reading: Does my cat need an ID tag?

3. Consider a Tracker

Trackers come in a few different forms, and each can add a valuable layer of security for your cat. GPS trackers are the most advanced, giving you real-time location updates, alert zones, and even activity history so you can spot changes in routine. 

Another option is Apple’s AirTag, which works through the Find My network. While it doesn’t give you the same level of detail as GPS, it can be a less obtrusive and more affordable way to help track down a missing cat. At Supakit, we’ve created a soft, and lightweight AirTag holder that’s specially designed for cats, so they can wear it comfortably every day on their collar.

Recommended reading: Which cat tracker is best for your cat?

4. Secure Entry Points and Everyday Spaces

Take a few minutes to give your home a safety check from a cat’s point of view. Look over doors, windows, screens, balconies, and entryways for any gaps or weak spots, and repair or reinforce them where needed. Don’t forget about garages, sheds, or outbuildings too – cats are quick to slip inside unnoticed, and it’s easy for them to become trapped. By keeping these spaces secure, you’ll reduce the chance of accidental escapes and give your cat a safer environment to enjoy every day.

5. Create Safe Outdoor Experiences

If you choose to offer outdoor time, set it up with safety in mind.

• Build a catio or use cat-proof fencing
• Harness train your cat for supervised garden time

Recommended reading: How to build a catio for your cats (with @jake.the.bengal)

6. Provide Daily Enrichment

Engaged cats are less likely to go looking for stimulation elsewhere, so it’s worth building little moments of fun and variety into each day. Simple things like rotating their toys so there’s always something that feels ‘new’, adding climbing spots or scratching posts around the home, and scheduling short play sessions together can make a big difference. Puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing toys are also brilliant for keeping curious minds busy, giving them both mental and physical exercise. The more their needs for play, exploration, and challenge are met indoors, the less tempted they’ll be to wander off in search of excitement.

Recommended reading: How to keep your cat entertained at home

7. Keep Photos and Identifying Info Current

It’s a simple step, but keeping clear, up-to-date photos of your cat can make all the difference if they ever go missing. Try to capture them from different angles and in good light, and make a note of any unique markings, scars, or features that set them apart. This information is invaluable if you ever need to create a lost cat poster, share their details online, or submit a report to a vet, shelter, or rescue.

What to Do If Your Cat Goes Missing

Even with thoughtful precautions, cats can still slip away. Acting quickly helps:

1. Search nearby calmly

Call their name, use the sounds they recognise (for example the sound of their treat packet rustling), and check their preferred hiding spots.

2. Ask your community for help

Look in garages, sheds, under decks, and around parked vehicles. Kindly ask others to check too. The more people that know your cat is missing, the more eyes and ears there will be looking out for them each day.

3. Update the microchip record

Mark your cat as missing on your microchip database account so alerts are visible to vets and shelters. If you’re in the UK and your cat’s chip is registered with Identibase, you can also choose their identialert service – it alerts local vets, rescues, and wardens for you, creates missing posters, shares them on social media, and notifies you the moment your cat’s microchip is scanned.

4. Contact local vets, shelters, and rescues

Share a recent photo, your contact details, and any medical needs.

5. Post on lost pet platforms and community groups

Include clear photos, your location, and the best number to reach you.

6. Use familiar scents

Place a recently used blanket, bedding, or even an item of your clothing near the entrance to your home. Cats have an incredible sense of smell, and those familiar scents can act like a beacon to guide them back. It’s a simple, comforting way to help them recognise home if they’re feeling disoriented or anxious.

The Importance of Being Prepared

Losing a cat is every pet keeper’s nightmare – but with preparation, awareness, and the right protection, you can reduce the risk dramatically. Use Lost Cat Awareness Day as your annual reminder to update your records, check your safety measures, and spread the word to fellow cat lovers.

While losing a cat can feel overwhelming, it’s reassuring to know that many lost cats do find their way home. A little preparation goes a long way in improving the chances of a happy reunion. In fact, Supakit itself was born from that very experience – when our founders lost their cat, and then joyfully found her again, it inspired them to create collars and ID tags that were comfy enough for even collar-hating kitties to wear every day. You can read the full story here: Our Story.