Lost dog or cat: what to do in the first 24 hours

A door left open, a fright from firecrackers, a cat slipping off the balcony… Losing your pet is distressing. The first hours matter most: here’s a clear plan to maximise your chances of finding it.

In the first hour

Stay calm and search the house carefully: under beds, in cupboards, behind appliances. Cats hide very well.
Search the immediate surroundings: stairwell, car park, gardens, under cars.
Call its name softly, with its usual sounds (the food bag, a toy). A frightened pet may not respond to shouting.
Bring someone to cover more ground.

A lost cat often stays very close, hidden and silent. A lost dog can go much further, often in a straight line.

In the first hours

Alert your neighbours, the building caretaker, local shops.
Post a message with a clear photo, the neighbourhood, the date and your phone number.
Call vets and associations nearby: someone may bring them your pet.
Put an item that smells of you (t-shirt) and its litter or blanket in front of the door.

Prepare a good notice

A good notice is simple and readable from a distance:

a large, recent photo where the animal is clearly visible;
“LOST DOG” or “LOST CAT” in big letters;
species, colour, size, distinctive features (collar, scar);
the place and date of disappearance;
your phone number.

Stick it at shops, vets, building entrances. Remember to remove the notices afterwards.

Search at the right time

Lost animals often move at dawn and at night, when it’s calm. Go back to search at these times, with a torch: an animal’s eyes reflect light.

If your pet is microchipped

Inform the vet who placed the microchip and check your contact details are up to date. Anyone who brings your pet to a vet can then find you.

If you find a lost animal

Approach gently, without chasing it.
Check for a collar or tag.
Take it to a vet to read the microchip.
Post a notice with a photo, place and date.

Prevent it happening again

Collar with tag with your phone number.
Microchip registered at the vet.
Secure balconies and windows for cats.
Lead in unfamiliar places, especially during fireworks or celebrations.
Recent photos of your pet, from several angles.
Neutering reduces roaming, especially in males.

In Morocco, neighbourhood and city Facebook and WhatsApp groups are very active. They can spread your notice within hours:

post in your city’s lost pets groups;
post in your building or residence WhatsApp group;
ask friends and family to share;
also check found animals posts regularly.

Be precise: clear photo, neighbourhood, date, phone number. Avoid sharing your exact address publicly.

Think also about people who move around the neighbourhood a lot: car park attendants, delivery riders, grocers, building caretakers. They see everything happening in the street and are often the first to spot an unknown animal. Leave them your number.

Finally, stay reachable: keep your phone charged and answer unknown numbers during the search. And when your pet is home, update every post so people stop searching.

FAQ

How long should I keep searching? Don’t give up quickly: animals are sometimes found after several weeks.

Should I offer a reward? It can motivate people, but stay careful about calls asking for money before showing the animal.

My cat came back after a few days, what should I do? Check it for injuries, make sure it’s eating and drinking, and visit the vet if in doubt.

Alert your neighbours in one minute with DarPaws

In the Community tab of DarPaws, post a missing pet notice with photos and the place of disappearance. DarPaws users within 5 km receive a notification right away. The notice appears on a map, and people who saw your pet can contact you. When you find it, mark the post as “found”: photos are deleted automatically.

Alert your neighbours in a few seconds. Download DarPaws for free on Google Play.