Last week, Catster published a poll, asking if you’d ever had a cat go missing or run away from home. Over 65% of you reported having lost a cat, and sadly, over 21% have had cats go missing that were never found. What can you do to improve those numbers? Here are some tips:

• Microchip AND tag your pets even if they are strictly indoor pets. Microchipping works even when a collar is lost, and tags enable finders to contact you quickly. Pet recovery services like Together Tag guarantee that the person who finds your pet can contact you even if you’re not reachable by phone, and ensures that they have access to your pet’s medical and vet information.
• Keep your cat contained. This doesn’t mean that Fluffy won’t ever be able to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Consider these options:
  • Install cat fencing. There are many traditional and wireless options available.
  • Build a catio to allow your cat access to the outdoors while being safely contained.
  • Get a stroller for your indoor cat. Enjoy quality time and fresh air together. Watch for the upcoming Cat’s Meow’s Spring Strolling issue to find out more about this popular option (subscribe by email so you won’t miss it!).
  • Harness and leash-train your cat. Yes, it can be done!
• If you’re still unfortunate enough to lose your cat, check out our post on Going the Extra Mile to Find Your Lost Pet.

See related Cat's Meow entries:

• Microchip Problems Spur Pet Owner Concerns
• Bilbo Baggins Believed Shot, but Found via Microchip
• Sampson the Cat is on His Way Home after 18-month Walkabout
• Microchip Warning: Are You Registered?
• Microchip Reunites Tabby with Family 3 Years Later

If you’d like to provide your indoor cats with outside time, or if you’re trying to transition your outdoor cats into an indoor-only lifestyle (good luck!), you need to check out the new Catio Showcase website.

Never heard of a “catio”? It’s an enclosed patio designed especially for cats. A catio provides a fully protected outdoor environment for otherwise indoor cats, and Catio Showcase shares the many fabulous catios that people have created for their feline friends.

Our friends at 40 paws are already on their second enclosure. They purchased their newest enclosure from C & D Pet Products. Their enclosure was partially pre-assembled, then disassembled for shipping. All the holes were pre-drilled with screws in place, so all you need to do screw everything tight and you’re good to go. You can read more about Forty Paws’ enclosure here.

Catio Showcase will be featuring cat enclosures from around the world, and you should bookmark it if this is a project you’ve been considering tackling (or rather, if it’s something you’ve decided your husband should tackle under your helpful supervision).

The concept has been on our radar for several years, but alas, I’m not married to Norm Abram, and there are a few projects ahead of it in the queue. If you’ve completed a catio project, let me know and send pictures — I’d like to feature it! (And consider submitting it to Catio Showcase, too!)

See related Cat's Meow entries:

• Results of Catster Poll on Lost Cats