How to Protect Your Cat from Catnappers: Signs Your Cat May Be Targeted and Tips to Catproof Your Home

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Everything You Need to Know About Cat Nabbers

If you’ve ever had a cat go missing or seen a strange person hanging around your neighborhood, you may have wondered – is there a “cat nabber” lurking nearby? As the owner of three rescue cats, this topic hits close to home for me. In this article, I’ll break down exactly what a cat nabber is, their motives, and tips to protect your furry friend from becoming their next target.

What is a Cat Nabber?

A cat nabber, also sometimes called a cat thief, is someone who illegally takes other people’s pet cats from their homes or yards without permission. Their motives can vary, but mostly it comes down to three possibilities:

  1. Reselling the cat: Some cat nabbers steal cats to then sell them online or to animal dealers at a profit.
  2. Breeding: A cat may be taken to be used for breeding and the kittens sold. Intact, pedigreed cats are particularly at risk.
  3. Personal reasons: Some cat thieves just want a new pet without paying adoption fees. Or they may want the cat for research, fighting, or rituals.

Regardless of the motive, cat nabbing is unethical and can be traumatic for both the cat and owners. Many stolen cats end up in unsafe situations, far from their homes. It’s a serious problem cat guardians need to be aware of.

Red Flags to Watch For

From my experience rescuing cats, there are some common behaviors that could indicate a cat nabber is scoping out the neighborhood. Keep an eye out for:

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  • Strangerslinger around and peering into yards, especially at dawn or dusk when cats are more active.
  • People taking photos of cats in the area, like they’re cataloging them.
  • Loitering vehicles that park for long periods with occupants just sitting inside.
  • Questions about specific cats like their breed, age or whether they’re fixed.
  • Anyone trying to coax or grab cats that come near.

If you spot suspicious activity, don’t confront them yourself but rather get a description and license plate to report to authorities. Your safety should be the top priority.

Protecting Your Cat

To reduce the chances of your cat being taken, follow these prevention tips:

  1. Microchip and ID: Make sure your cat has permanent identification like a microchip or engraved collar tag with your contact info. This greatly increases the odds of them being returned if snatched.
  2. Secure your home: Screen or block areas where cats can escape like open windows or doors, especially at night when nabbing is more common. Cut back foliage cats could hide in.
  3. Limit outdoor access: It’s safest to keep cats indoors or only allow outside time when you can supervise. If your cat insists on going out, use a catio or walking harness and leash instead of letting them roam freely.
  4. Be wary of strangers: Don’t let unknown people lure or interact with your cats. Minimize nabbing opportunities by not leaving food bowls outside all day.
  5. Get cameras: Motion-activated cameras can help monitor for intruders around your property and catch evidence of any cat theft attempts.

What To Do If Your Cat Goes Missing

Sadly, incidents still occur despite precautions. If your cat wanders off or appears stolen, acting quickly can significantly boost the chances of a happy reunion. Here are the steps I recommend:

  1. Call your local shelter right away to report the cat missing and provide a detailed description. Post on neighborhood lost pet pages too for extra visibility.
  2. Search the area thoroughly and post “lost cat” signs within a few block radius with your contact details. Knock on doors to inform residents.
  3. Visit the shelter daily in case your cat turns up as a stray. Don’t give up after only a few days – some scared pets take longer to be found and brought in.
  4. File a police report for theft. Provide any relevant details like suspicious figures seen and vehicles. They may have knowledge of incidents that seem connected.
  5. Ask neighbors to review security footage for clues. A cat nabber likely drove through the neighborhood, so footage could offer important leads on their identity or the cat’s direction.

I’ll never forget how it felt to lose my first rescue cat Buddy for a few days. With persistence and a community effort, we were lucky to find him cowering under a shed, hungry but unharmed. Don’t lose hope – your faithful furry friend is likely waiting for you too.

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Preventing Future Cat Theft

While cat nabbing sadly still occurs periodically, communities can work to discourage opportunistic thieves and help more lost pets return home faster. Here are some ideas:

  • Encourage microchipping drives through local vets and rescues to register ownership of cats roaming the area.
  • Start a neighborhood watch for strange vehicles or unfamiliar people taking an interest in pets in the blocks.
  • Educate residents on safety tips through emails, Nextdoor posts and signs at parks reminding owners to promptly report lost animals.
  • Lobby local leaders to pass stricter penalties for animal theft and support animal control/shelters investigating missing pet cases.
  • Spread positive stories online when missing pets are found to inspire hope and show the value of quick community response.

With awareness and vigilance, hopefully fewer families will suffer the gut-wrenching loss of a stolen pet. United, we can help protect our furry little companions and bring more of them back to loving homes where they belong. What are your thoughts on preventing cat theft in your neighborhood?

I hope this overview has answered your main questions about cat nabbers and what to do if you suspect your beloved feline friend may be at risk. Please feel free to reach out if you need any other advice to keep Rover safe. Wishing you and your furry families the very best!

Choosing a Cat Nabber

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Feature Importance
Weight Limit Higher weight limits allow you to safely lift larger cats. Most nabbers support up to 15 lbs.
Handle Material Padded or rubber handles provide a comfortable, slip-resistant grip. Avoid bare metal.
Net Material Mesh nets are breathable and see-through. Avoid fully enclosed pockets which can stress cats.
Extendable Pole Poles that extend to 8 feet or more allow you to nab cats from elevated places without a ladder.
Soft Edges Nets with soft or padded edges won’t scratch cats like hard plastic-edged nabbers might.
Warranty Longer warranties protect your investment and ensure the manufacturer stands by their product.

FAQ

  1. What exactly is a cat nabber?

    A cat nabber is someone who basically collects cats without permission. They take cats that definitely don’t belong to them.

  2. Why would anyone steal other people’s cats?

    I guess some folks figure cats don’t have owners, like stray cats. But that’s not right – most cats have homes! Perhaps they’re lonely and want a friend. Still, taking what isn’t yours ain’t exactly cool.

  3. What should you do if you think your cat has been nabbed?

    If your feline friend went missing, you should kind of check with your neighbors right away. Also put up signs with Fifi’s picture around the neighborhood. Oh, and notify the authorities ASAP – the sooner they know, the better chance of getting Fluffy back home where she belongs!

  4. “Can a cat nabber get into big trouble if caught?”

    Indeed, taking someone else’s pet without consent is illegal and can land cat nappers in pretty hot water. The law sees it as pet theft. So if them cat snatchers are found out, they may face charges. Hopefully the threat of punishment deters this lousy behavior.

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  5. “What’s to stop someone from falsely claiming to be a cat nabber?”

    I guess an honest person could try to wrongly pin the blame on someone, maybe due to some personal grudge. But the law would require proof before believing false accusations. Still, with all the real cat nappers out there, hopefully folks don’t waste time making up stories!

  6. “How can cat owners protect their pets from nabbing? Are there any defenses?”

    Hmm, securing kitty inside or out back with a microchip and collar including contact info may help. Also getting to know neighbors so everyone looks out for each other’s animals. And of course giving plenty of love, food, toys and attention so puss has no reason to scram! Basically keeping your cat happy at home could hopefully keep it from getting pinched.