Lost Cat Recovery Guide
The Search Begins

Making free flyers

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IN THIS LESSON

Your most effective tool

A well-designed flyer is one of the most important tools in your search. It spreads awareness in the area your cat is most likely to be—and often leads to the tip that brings them home.

Ideally, you’ll hand flyers directly to neighbors during your search. But if no one’s home, leaving one at the door or tucked under the mailbox flag is perfectly fine. Don’t worry too much about legality—this type of situation is widely understood and rarely challenged.

In the next lesson, we’ll cover how to canvas your area using these flyers. For now, let’s focus on getting yours made.

🛠️ You Don’t Need to Be a Designer

You don’t need graphic design skills or expensive software. All you need is a computer or phone and an internet connection.

I highly recommend using Canva – a free, beginner-friendly tool:

  • If you can drag and drop, you can use Canva.

  • Their free plan is more than enough to create a high-quality flyer.

  • Canva Pro ($15/month) offers extras like background removal, but there are free tools online that can do that too—so try the free version first.

🧠 Flyer Design: Less Is More

People have short attention spans. Your flyer must deliver clear, essential information in seconds. Here’s what to include—and what to avoid:

✅ MUST-HAVES:

  • Headline: Use bold, large text like MISSING CAT or LOST CAT to grab attention immediately.

  • DO NOT CHASE OR ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE: This is important—well-meaning strangers may scare your cat off by trying to help.

  • Photo: Use the clearest, highest-quality image you have. A full-body shot is great, but at the very least, include a close-up of the face. If possible, remove the background to make your cat stand out.

  • Name: This personalizes the cat and encourages empathy, even though cats don’t typically respond to their name.

  • Location:

    • For flyers in your neighborhood, list the nearest intersection.

    • For flyers outside the area or online, use the closest major intersection.

  • Contact Info: Add your phone number for call/text. To protect your privacy, consider using a free Google Voice number.

🛑 AVOID:

  • Long descriptions of your cat’s personality or favorite food—they’re not helpful for identifying a cat.

  • Overly detailed color descriptions—people interpret coat colors differently, so it’s better to let the photo do the talking.

🖨️ Printing Tips

  • Color flyers are best for visibility and recognition.

  • If using black & white, include a short coat description on the flyer to help people recall it later.

  • Check your local library for affordable printing.

  • You can also email your file to your local UPS Store or FedEx Office—many will let you specify quantity and paper type via email.

🤝 Support & Suggestions

You’re not alone in this. If you'd like feedback on your flyer:

  • Contact me and I’ll provide suggestions free of charge.

  • If you’re uncomfortable making one yourself, I can create a custom flyer for a $5 donation to help support the mission.

🔁 Final Thoughts

Getting flyers into the hands of every nearby neighbor can drastically improve your chances. You don’t need fancy software—just a clear photo, concise info, and the willingness to get the word out.

You’ve got this. Let’s bring your cat home. 🐾