If you are unfortunate enough to be in the position where you have lost a cat here are some tips which can help locate your cat.

First of all, ensuring your cat is easily identifiable either with a permanent microchip or a cat collar with an ID tag. Include your cat's name & phone number on the tag but no address.  Ensure your contact details are up to date.

It may seem obvious, but check inside your house thoroughly. This includes in wardrobes, cupboards, under beds, behind furniture & appliances. Check inside washing machines & dryers. Cats can climb into extraordinarily small spaces which don't seem possible.

Call your vet. Many veterinarians have a "lost & found" book. Leave your contact details & a description of your cat.

Walk around the neighbourhood calling out to your cat. Try taking a box of biscuits or a can of food & make a noise. Even if it is daylight, take a torch with you so you can check dark areas such as under cars. Ask local tradesmen, your postman, paperboy, garbage collectors etc. Check storm water drains & sewers (obviously you can't go down there but if possible look down grates & call your cat's name). When walking the neighbourhood call out your cat's name, make some sounds with the food & then listen. A frightened or injured cat may be quiet. Be aware of sounds around you. Look both up & down. Check out trees, under bushes & cars.

A scared or injured animal may not respond to your calls, so not only should you search the neighbourhood during daylight but also have a walk around when it's dark as your cat may be more responsive at this time.

Knock on neighbour's doors to see if they know of anything. It is not recommended that you do this alone, and definitely NEVER send a child out to door knock. Ask your neighbours to check their houses, under their houses, garages & sheds. It's worthwhile asking your neighbours to ask their children to keep a look out for your pet too.

Print out flyers & include a clear and preferably full body photo of your pet, drop them in as many letter boxes as you can. Offer a reward but don't state how much you are offering. Don't include your full name or address. Just include a first name & phone number. It is also useful if you put tabs on the bottom of the flyer with your phone number on, this way people can rip off a tab & take it home with them for future reference should they come across your pet.

If you have school aged children, have them ask their classmates to keep a look out for your pet.

Call all the animal shelters in your area. If possible e-mail or send them a photo of your pet. If it is at all possible, visit the shelters yourself as the description you give them may not translate well.

Ask local business's in your area, leave a flyer with them.

Place an advertisement in your local newspaper. Don't forget to check the "found" listings in your paper too!

If you have moved house check your old location & put flyers up there too.

Check online. Many pet sites have bulletin boards/forums which have lost & found areas.

Engage in the services of a pet location company.

Put some food & water on the veranda, your cat's favourite bed & a piece of your old clothing.

Sadly sometimes cats do get hit & killed by cars so it is worth calling your local council & asking them what happens in the event of a cat being killed. They may know or will be able to put you onto somebody who you can leave your details with, in the event of the worst happening.