Catmax, Australia’s leading cat management company, is launching a new multi-functional cat locator in an effort to reduce cat displacement levels which reached more than 61,000 last financial year.*

A small homing tag which is less than three centimetres square and is attached to the cat's collar so that if it wanders out of the ‘safety zone', the owner is immediately alerted through a handheld monitor and given directions to the missing pet's specific location.

According to the Managing Director of Catmax, Mr Paul Chapman, the Loc8tor will save a lot of anguished moments for many families while helping to save cats' lives.

"Cats generally won't stray too far from their homes, but if they do and become afraid, it can trigger a behaviour that dissuades them from responding to an owner's call," said Mr Chapman.

"So with a simple necklet, owners can quickly find their cat literally within minutes instead of hours or even weeks," he said.

Using award winning patent pending technology, the Loc8tor can have up to 24 tags paired to the monitoring device and can be used on dogs and other household animals as well as on valuable, personal possessions such as keys, wallets, mobile phones and cameras.

The Loc8tor system also has a ‘panic tag' which is a homing tag with an additional feature allowing children or the elderly who may be at risk to activate an alarm on the central monitor.

The Loc8tor pack which comes complete with the handheld monitor, three homing tags, one panic tag as well as collar attachments retails for $374.

Catmax's Top 10 Tips for Finding Cats Without a Loc8tor:

1. Search your house and garden thoroughly

2. Ask your neighbours if they've seen your cat and leave your name, the cat's name and description (a photo is even better) as well as your phone number with them

3. Do a letter box drop with the same information as above (at your discretion) around the local neighbourhood - you may consider offering a reward

4. Call your local veterinarians to see if your cat is with them or if they know of a cat being found

5. Visit your local RSCPA or animal shelter to see if your cat is there

6. Call your local council to see if your cat's been collected by the ‘pound'

7. Ring your local radio station and ask if they'll make an announcement for you

8. Place an ad in your local newspaper while also checking the ‘found' column

9. Get onto the internet and list your cat as missing on sites such as www.animalliberation.com.au, www.petlink.com.au or www.lostdogs.com.au

10. And when you find your cat, let everyone know and thank those involved

* Statistics from RSPCA www.rspca.org.au/resource/stats2006.pdf