Social media advertising

Cheap and effective

Paid advertising on social media can be a game-changer, especially when used to target the exact neighborhoods where your cat may be. It’s affordable, effective, and flexible—you control how much to spend and how long it runs.

🔹 Best Platforms:

• Facebook – Ultra-targeted by radius (as small as 1 mile)

• Nextdoor – Hyperlocal reach, especially for residential areas

🧰 What You’ll Need to Start

✅ Facebook Profile + Page

You need both to run an ad.
Tip: Name the page something like “Help Find Kitty in [Your Town]”.

Set-up help: Create a Facebook Page

✅ Lost Cat Graphic

Design it in Canva (free and easy to use).
Use Facebook ad dimensions for best visibility.

Must-haves:

• A large, clear color photo of your cat

• Your contact phone number
  (💡 Consider using a free Google Voice number for privacy and convenience)

🚀 How to Launch a Facebook Ad

• Post the flyer on your page like any normal post.

• Click “Boost Post.”

• Facebook’s ad manager will open—set it up as follows:

🎯 Settings for Best Results:

🔍 Location:

• Enter the exact last known address where your cat was seen

• Set radius to 1 mile (your core area)

• (Optional: Create a second, smaller-budget ad for a wider radius)

📈 Objective:

• Choose Engagement (likes/comments/shares).

• You want people talking, not just seeing.

🎯 Audience:

• Use Facebook’s recommendations.
  You don’t need to outguess the algorithm—it’s extremely well-optimized.

💵 Budget:

• Recommended: $10/day

• Adjust to what’s affordable for you even if $1/day

⏳ Length:

• Set for a week or more

• You can stop anytime—you’re only charged for what’s been used.

💡 “Facebook has never charged me over my approved amount, and always honored stop requests immediately.”

🟩 What About Nextdoor?

Nextdoor also allows hyperlocal ad placement, but I haven’t personally run ads there yet. Once I do, I’ll update this section with step-by-step instructions.

🐾 Final Thoughts

Paid ads are one of the most effective and efficient tools in a long-term cat search. Especially after the first few days, they can reach entire communities who may have seen your cat or caught it on a security camera without knowing it.

📎 HamCo Info – For Hamilton County, Indiana Residents

How it works:

• You prepay the amount you want to spend

• I run the ad at cost

• Any unspent money is refunded or donated, per your choice

Contact me if you’re interested in this option.

Your goal is awareness. More eyes means more sightings, and that’s how you get your kitty home