Keeping an eye out for our elders:
Microchipping your pet and having this done in your own home:
Having your pets microchipped and a discounted offer.
It is a legal requirement that dogs and cats are chipped. All of our cats are chipped, and that is how we got one back safe and sound. It is comforting to know that although we have 3 cats still missing, they are all chipped, so should anyone find them, we will be contacted because of this.
It is extremely important to make sure once your pet is chipped, that this chip is then registered. It is as equally important to keep chip details up to date, especially in situations like moving house, change of phone number and so on.
Having your pet chipped is a straight forward process and would usually require a visit to your vets. However, some people might not be able to get to a vet, due to health conditions, lack of transport etc. Also, some pets might absolutely hate going to vets and this can cause them great emotional distress. There is a service provided by Pet Nurse Natasha to have your pet microchipped in the comfort of your own home, so if you are unable to get out, or you have a nervous pet, this is ideal. Such a good service and I would imagine much needed by many. I have been in touch with Pet Nurse Natasha about sharing the services provided, and if you quote my name, you can have your pet chipped in your own home at a reduced rate of £10. This is absolutely fabulous and gives such peace of mind for our animal companions.
Please contact Pet Nurse Natasha if you would like more information, and reduced microchipping for your pet, quoting my name for discount.
Mags Ogilvie, January 2026
Pet Nurse Natasha can be contacted on Facebook and NextDoor.
Her website is www.petnursenatasha.co..uk
Email: veterinarynursenatasha@outlook.com
Printable A4 poster available:
I've sent this poster to lots of local vets and animal charities today to see if they will display it, hopefully able to help more people then too.
Thank you everyone for your support. xxx
What can you do when your pet goes missing?
What can you do if your pet has gone missing?
Please feel free to save this, share it and / or print it out.
This is a guide to help you through the difficult time of when a pet has gone missing. There may be other things you think of that you can do, but I aim to include as much as I can to help you. Our cats went missing at the start of October 2025, we have 2 back, but 3 are still out there somewhere. So we fully understand what an awful situation it is to find yourself in. Don’t feel you must do all of these, it is completely understandable that some suggestions you may not be able to do, but they are purely as prompts for what you can try to reunite your pet companions.
Some of these ideas were given to me by lovely people we have got to know, through our cats being missing.
These are also in no particular order, but may be of some use.
- Check your pets chip details are actually registered.
Back in the day vets have always set up the pet’s chip details when I’ve had other pets chipped (this is going back some time), but these days it is very much up to you to register them as soon as they have been chipped. I see all too often that cats have been scanned and have a chip, but no details related to it, or phone numbers no longer in use.
- Check your pets’ chips details are up to date.
I know this may sound like an obvious one, but sometimes in life these things can get overlooked.
- With chip registrations you can report the pet as missing.
sometimes there is a small annual fee that goes with this, but this usually then puts out alerts of your pet.
- Alert your local area about your missing pet.
Put posters up in the community and leaflet drops in people’s homes. Think if there are any specific areas your pet likes to hang out, try that area. Also inform your postie, even give them a leaflet, not for them to hand out, but to keep a look out on their rounds. Posters in local shops, local nursing homes, schools and so on. Approach as many places as you feel comfortable doing so. Our cats love greenhouses, and horses, they absolutely adore horses and grew up around two. I therefore contacted several local stables, and horse related places, all of whom keep a look out for me.
- Use social media.
Social media for this kind of situation is brilliant. Especially if you maybe can’t get out much, and want to get word out to a lot of people fast. Search for local groups on social media platforms and share to all these. I use Facebook and NextDoor, which has been really effective. In the beginning I would post every day, but now I post once a week, usually at weekends, when most people are likely to be online. I often create a new different poster too so its eye catching, if you post too much, and with the same images, people can stop looking at your posts thinking it is the same one they saw before. The key is to engage people’s attention. I also make sure that I reply to people who comment, they have had the good grace to comment and this is to be thanked.
- Following up any leads.
We have had so many possible sightings of our cats, some sadly of cats who have crossed the rainbow bridge. We follow up every lead, if you are able too, you could try this as well. Find the local vets and see if any have been brought in to them. I understand not everyone can get out and about.
- Networking with local vets.
This is a really good idea too. I got hold of all the vets within a good range of where we live, and included posters, descriptions, photos, and each cat’s chip number. All the vets I have contacted have always replied to me, and have saved their information in their missing pet file. So this is well worth doing. This is how we got Blue back, a nice man had caught her, took her to a local vet, who then called us. I have a good relationship with vets around us, and will at times email them to let them know the cats are still missing. Also, to let them know when cats have come back.
- If you can, actively go out and try and find your pet.
Think of places they like to go, and any particular times of the day they like. Rattle treats and call their name. We did this around areas where possible sightings were too. Possible sighting areas are also a good place to deliver missing pet leaflets. Search for them at night with a torch, the light will show any eyes that may be hiding in the undergrowth. Buddying up with others to find your pet was also suggested, this is a great idea, especially if you get anxiety with this sort of thing.
- If you can, leave out some of your pets bedding.
Or blanket or something similar with recognisable smells on it. If you can even a litter tray that has been used. Some suggest putting a plate of their favourite food out, this depends on you of course.
- Contact local animal rescues.
They may have pets handed in, or spotted them around.
- Contact local radio stations and local newspapers.
- Seek out support from others if possible.
We learned that all the support we received was so helpful and really kept us going. It really made me think of people who are maybe going through this alone.
Mags, January 2026
Leaflet design:
Surviving winter months:
I find it especially hard when the weather is bad, and Big Vic, Jenny Mae and Brick remain at large. We are hitting a real cold snap at the moment and this can leave any animal vulnerable. Food sources lessen, shelter can be wet or icy, water iced over, all manner of reasons make it difficult during this time.
However, there are things as humans that we can do to help. Even the smallest of action can make the biggest difference. This list suggests a few things that can be done when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
If you see a cat hanging around that you haven't seen before, it may be that you can take the cat to a vets to be scanned for a chip. Or maybe someone you know has a scanner. Now i fully understand this is easier said than done, been there, done it, got the t-shirt. There are local organisations that can offer assistance with trapping an animal, and other such practical support.
Mags, January 2026
Things you can do if your pet goes missing:
Social media has been at the forefront of my campaign for our missing cats. Due to health I'm not always able to get out and about safely, but with social media I literally have the world at my finger tips. I use Facebook and the app Next door, but there are so many different platforms now to spread word. I make eye catching posters with good, clear photos of our cats on. A brief description and means of contact. It is entirely up to you how much contact information you wish to include, there are no right or wrongs. Initially I put up their posters daily on social media, now I put them online at weekends, this is when a lot more people may be online. I share their posters to different groups, and tag any people in them that I know will keep an eye out. The key is to not bombard people too much, as people then may start to lose interest in your posts, or get annoyed by them.
Using social media has been a really good in the search for our missing cats, and during this time a huge supporting community has rallied round. We cannot express our gratitude enough.
I understand also that not everyone is tech savvy, in these situations maybe you have a relative or friend who can help you, or reach out to someone like us. The same with posters and flyers, I can easily create these for you if you needed any help. Posters can also be printed off and delivered door to door, or placed in areas for people to see. Please be mindful how and where you attach them though.
Mags, January 2026
Up to date chip details:
Chip details all need to be kept up to date. If you are new to having pets chipped, make sure that the chip is then registered afterwards. I've known situations where the animal has a chip, but then not registered at all. I have had instances many moons ago, where vets chipping your pet would then register this chip to you and your pet. Good to go. But these days once your pet has been chipped, it is usually then up to you to register this information. This information does not always get relayed, but it is something to be mindful of from the get go.
I always make sure address is updated and phone number, and other changes as needed. I also register ours with the database as missing. More information will be provided about this, and options available, but it is vital that you keep on top of your pets chip details.
When ours went missing, I contacted many local vets, creating a good rapport, and I provided them with our missing posters, descriptions and full chip numbers with our contact details. All the vets I encountered keep a missing pet file, and logged all this information. They were all so helpful. It is also important to let them know if a missing pet has since been found.
Mags, January 2026