When you see a lost pet wandering the streets, what’s your first instinct? If it’s a dog, you probably feel an immediate sense of urgency to help. But if it’s a cat, you might assume it belongs to a nearby home and is simply exploring. This difference in perception was highlighted in a recent online survey where respondents were asked: Would you be more likely to help a lost cat or a lost dog? The results were striking—87.5% said they’d help a dog, while only 12.5% said they’d help a cat.
One major reason is that dogs are generally expected to be with their owners or in a secure area. A loose dog, especially without a collar, immediately triggers concern that it may be lost or in danger. Dogs also tend to approach people for help, making their distress more noticeable.
Cats, on the other hand, are often perceived as independent. Many pet cats roam freely, especially in suburban and rural areas, making it difficult for passersby to determine if a cat is genuinely lost or just out on its usual adventure. Even when a cat is lost, it may not behave in a way that draws attention. They often hide rather than seek human assistance, reducing the likelihood that someone will intervene.
Statistics support the idea that lost dogs are more frequently reported and reunited with their owners than lost cats. An estimated 10 million pets go missing each year in the North America., but only 25% of them make it back home. Dogs have a significantly higher recovery rate than cats—38-50% of lost dogs are reunited with their owners, compared to only 10-20% of lost cats. This discrepancy may be partially due to differences in how people perceive lost pets, but it also stems from how pet owners search for them.
Dog owners are more likely to take immediate action—posting flyers, contacting shelters, and searching the neighbourhood. Cat owners, however, may assume their pet will find its way home on its own. Unfortunately, that assumption can delay a search and reduce the likelihood of recovery.
Whether it’s a dog or a cat, taking the right steps early can make all the difference:
Dogs may have a better chance of being helped when lost, but that doesn’t mean lost cats don’t need our attention. By spreading awareness and improving pet identification, we can help close the gap and ensure that more lost pets—dogs and cats alike—find their way back home.
