Prayer for a Lost Cat: Finding Comfort in Religion
Key takeaways
Throughout history, cats have been recognized as sacred beings in many religions. This is no surprise, considering our dear pets give us so much joy.
If your cat is missing, you'll likely feel worried, stressed, and upset. Praying can provide some comfort to make this time easier.
In this article, we explore exactly how different religions consider pets and cats in particular before providing some example prayers for lost cats.
Quick Navigation
Key takeaways
Religions and their dedication to animals
Example prayers for lost pets
Tips for finding your lost cat
FAQs
Final thought
Religions and their dedication to animals
Throughout history, religions of every kind have paid tribute to our furry counterparts. Often, cats were considered sacred creatures. And it's not hard to see why.
Most faiths teach us to respect all living creatures. So, when our beloved pet goes missing, prayer can bring comfort to us.
Christianity
While cats aren't explicitly mentioned in the Bible, they are often associated with the Virgin Mary (source). This gives them a holy and sacred status.
The Bible also teaches love for all of God's creatures, and this includes animals. This means praying for your missing pet can be very rewarding if you practice Christianity.
Catholicism
Despite a history of demonization of cats, the times have well and truly changed (source). Pope St. Paul VI said: “One day, we will see our animals in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures." (source).
Many Catholics believe that our pets are intended to teach us about unconditional love for God (source). This means when they are lost, it is understandably devastating, and prayer might help comfort you.
Islam
In Islam, cats are sacred creatures. Because of their ritualistic cleanliness, they are even allowed in mosques and are encouraged as pets. Throughout the religion, you can see dedication and respect for our furry friends. In fact, one of Prophet Muhammad's companions was known as 'The Father of Kittens' (source).
Muslims are taught to dedicate care, respect, and admiration for cats. They are also thought to attract angels to the home (source). So, when your cat is missing, praying for their safety is important.
Judaism
Respect and admiration for cats have been longstanding in Judaism. There are instances where great sages, like Rabbi Yohanan noted what we could learn from cats and their modesty and cleanliness (source.)). This respect can also be seen throughout Jewish law. For example, you must feed your pet before feeding yourself.
Ultimately, Judaism teaches that animals are part of God's creation and, therefore, must be treated equally to humans. Praying for a lost cat is an important element of this religion.
Buddhism
Despite Buddhism often teaching a 'no attachment' lifestyle, there is an interesting link between cats and the religion. Cats are often thought to be the temporary resting place for the souls of very spiritual people (source).
In some traditional folklore, it was believed that when Buddhists reach enlightenment, they return to Earth one last time in the form of a cat. When the cat dies, they are then released to Nirvana (source). The spiritual nature of our pets in Buddhism means praying for their safe return is respected.
Example prayers for lost pets
Now we know how different religions view our feline friends, we can explore some example prayers. You can follow these prayers word for word if you like, or you can take them as inspiration for your own creations.
Christian prayer for lost cats
Dear God,
My heart is heavy as I search for my missing cat.
I come before You with anxious thoughts and a longing for their safe return. Help me to trust in Your care and guidance during this difficult time. Fill me with renewed hope and a deep sense of peace, knowing that You are in control. Surround me with a supportive community that can offer comfort.
In the waiting, strengthen my faith and teach me to lean on You. Amen. (source).
Albert schweitzer's offering:
"Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends, the animals, especially for those who are suffering; for animals that are overworked, underfed, and cruelly treated; for all the wistful creatures in captivity, that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted, or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them, we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the Merciful. Amen." (source).
Catholic prayer for lost cats
Prayer to Saint Francis for a lost pet:
"Dear Saint Francis,
Today, we come to you and invoke you with all our affections, with our hope and total confidence in your power, to beg you to be our ambassador before the Lord and with your usual kindness to beg for our pets, for the animals that are in our charge and that now require the aid of your prodigious assistance.
You, my good saint, full of virtues and celestial graces, who in your earthly life gave great love to animals and now from Heaven you help them with generosity, you who send blessings, especially to those who suffer, and I ask for your support, the guardian and protector of (name of your pet), that you receive him with love in your great and good heart and ask God for mercy and compassion for them." (source).
Prayer to Saint Anthony for a lost pet:
"St. Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find [name the pet] which has been lost. At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss.
To this favor, I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen"
"God of the frightened, God of the missing and the lost, Return my/our beloved pet ___________________________ [name] To the cradle of my/our arms And the refuge of my/our home Speedily, in life and in health. Watch over her/him. Protect her/him. Shelter her/him from harm. Deliver her/him from evil acts and evil intent. Bless all who are helping with her/his return.
God of Old, These [hours/days/weeks] Of dismay and dread are almost too much to bear. Grant me/us endurance, hope and faith That I/we will soon be reunited with ___________ [name] In the fullness of joy.
Holy One, Protector and Redeemer, Hear [this/my/our] prayer." (source)
Tips for finding your lost cat
Alongside praying for your loved one, there are some practical steps to take to increase the chances of being reunited with your furry friend.
1. Physically search inside and outside the house
Unless you've seen your cat escape from the house, don't rule out their hiding abilities. Be sure to tick off all the following places inside the house:
Under and inside furniture
In wardrobes, cupboards, and drawers
In and on household appliances
In and under beds
Inside wall cavities
Once you've made sure they aren't inside the house, use the following checklist for the immediate area outside your house:
Up trees
In outbuildings like garages and sheds
In long grass and hedges
In bins
Under cars
2. Use social media to alert your neighbors
Social media is the super power of the current generation. Using this will help you notify as many people as possible in the area. We recognize just how important this is, so with CatRadar, you can notify over 4,000 neighbors.
We organize a paid ad campaign. This means an advert for your missing kitty will pop up on the social media feeds of your neighbors. To monitor how effective this is, we set you up with a personal dashboard and instant notifications whenever a sighting is reported.
3. Stick up missing pet posters
While social media is incredibly effective, it's useful to stick physical missing cat posters up in your neighborhood. We provide you with a downloadable template and some expert advice to get you started.
Knowing where to stick your posters can be tricky. Do a little research into the legalities of your area before taking action. Below are some common and effective places to start:
Common areas of apartment complexes
Community centers
Shops and parks (with permission)
Local notice boards
4. Contact local animal shelters and vets
If somebody finds your kitty and they are obviously lost, they are likely to take them to a local animal shelter or vet to keep them safe.
Call all the local shelters to make them aware your cat is missing. Provide them with a detailed description and all of your contact details to increase your chance of being reunited with your furry friend.
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Expert Advice: Remember to get your kitty microchipped! This means if they are found and handed in to a shelter, they will be able to contact you straight away through the information on the chip.
FAQs
Which saint do you pray to for a lost pet?
Saint Francis and Saint Anthony are the saints to pray to for a lost pet. They will ensure the safety and wellbeing of your furry friend while you look for them!
How do you pray to Saint Anthony for a lost pet?
Saint Anthony is the patron saint of lost items, and this can refer to pets, too. For this reason, you can pray to St. Anthony to wish for the safe return and care of your furry friend.
What is the prayer for finding a lost pet?
There are plenty of prayers for finding a lost pet. You can personalize common prayers to relate to your furry friend, or you can make your own prayer.
How do you deal with a lost cat?
Dealing with a lost cat is heartbreaking. It's important you surround yourself with supportive friends and family that can help you search for your missing buddy.
Is there a saint for cats?
St. Gertrude of Nivelles is often considered the patron saint of cats. Although this was never made official, her association with mice and rats led to the assumption that she was herself a saint of cats.
Is there a prayer for pets?
There are lots of prayers for pets from lots of different religions. If you want to pray for your pet, read our full article with plenty of example prayers for different religions.
Will my lost cat come to me?
Out cats' impressive homing abilities mean that they can often find their way back to you. However, you should still be searching for them every day and taking steps to lure them home.
Final thought
Religion and prayer can be incredibly important when you are missing your lost companion. We can gain comfort and reduce stress. Knowing your faith is looking after your kitty can give you the peace of mind you need.
If you still haven't found your kitty, no matter how long it's been, don't give up. Start a PetRadar search to notify as many people as possible of your missing friend. We've already reunited 8000+ cats with their owners, so you're in good hands!
Written by
Lauren Jeffries
In this blog, I combine my two areas of expertise: pets and writing. I share my personal experiences alongside plenty of animal behavior research to help owners look after their pets. I have always lived with furry friends and am now a loving cat mum to two orange kitties.
