topic Re: Our cat is missing in Home

Our cat is missing

colliemom4 — Thu, 08 May 2014 01:51:53 GMT

Our cat somehow got out and has been gone for about a week. I've look for him everywhere every day and have put up some signs, but after this long I'm doubtful he's coming back. We've had him for about 7 years or so. I got him when he was 5 weeks old. Has anyone had a cat come home after that long?

Re: Our cat is missing

colliemom4 — Thu, 08 May 2014 01:55:53 GMT

Sorry for the typos. I tried to edit and it wouldn't let me.

Re: Our cat is missing

Sabatini2 — Thu, 08 May 2014 01:56:20 GMT

Hi collie! I'm C&Ping a reply I wrote to a poster awhile back on the Pet Forum. I hope you'll find it useful.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Hi there. I can imagine just how you feel, as I've been there too. It's crushing to lose your kitty!

In my lifetime, his has happened to me twice, & both times I got my cat back. I pray that you will too.

For what it's worth, this is what I've learned:

A lost dog & a lost cat behave differently. Dogs will run, & the more frightened & confused they are, the more & further they'll run. They can cover some distance, poor things!

With a cat, barring a violent attack (coyote, raccoon, fox, etc.), or someone picking the cat up & physically taking them, a lost cat is ALMOST ALWAYS trapped somewhere VERY close by; a garage, a basement, etc. Cats do NOT travel far, so if your cat is lost, ask every single neighbor to open their garage & their basement to let you call to the kitty. Insist, in a neighborly way, of course.

FindToto is a site that works as an Amber Alert for lost pets. They use a calling system similar to those used for emergency broadcasts. The size of the 'package' you buy, dictates how broad an area the alert will be sent to. Unfortunately, they only call land lines - not cell phones. Should you choose to go that route, I would select the smallest area, since cats stay close to home.

FindToto.com

List the lost pet on your local Craig's List lost pet forum, but also list the pet in all surrounding counties.

Call every single humane society, animal pound & shelter - not only in your immediate area, but those beyond, & visit them, if possible. In addition, most of these places have email addresses. Email a description of the lost pet & a picture, if possible. They are WONDERFUL people & a great resource which is there to help!

Make fliers & stuff every singe mailbox & post on car windshields for as many blocks as you can, & ask area businesses if you can post a flier in their window.

My 1st missing cat was found locked in a neighbor's basement, 2 houses up from me. She was there for 3 weeks, poor baby! The couple who lived there were in the military, & on the day my cat went missing, they had opened up their basement doors & were putting their patio furniture away, because they were going away. When they returned after 3 weeks, they found my cat in their cellar. I was beside myself to have her back!

My 2nd kitty was found after 4 days, locked inside a neighbor's garage, just 2 houses down from me. I could see that garage from my kitchen window. The homeowner swore there was no cat in there, but I begged him to unlock the door, & ...there was my kitty!

BTW, FindToto was a hoot! I had neighbors saying 'We got your alert last night!', so they DO make those calls.

Good luck! I'll be thinking of you.

Re: Our cat is missing

dfyre — Thu, 08 May 2014 01:57:47 GMT

Yes - and mine was a black Persian. Contact local shelters and veterinarians. Put out food and a piece of your clothing or blanket that smells like home. Make flyers with photo if possible and offer a reward. Speak with all the neighbors you can (mine showed up on a neighbor's patio one day - didn't get her then but knew the general area she was in). Speak to people walking their dogs - mine was eventually "spotted" by a dog walker who called and told me where she saw her. Neighborhood kids will do anything for $50, so make sure they all know about the reward. Good luck and please let us know.

Re: Our cat is missing

brewhaha — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:02:09 GMT

Does it have a chip? Maybe somebody will find it and they can trace it back to you.

Re: Our cat is missing

GCR18 — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:27:06 GMT

Over the years I had two cats go missing for about 4 days. Different house and cat, but they were both locked in the neighbors cellar. They must have been snooping around and went in, then the door shut. One cat I would go out in the back yard and call the cat several times a day. Then one day I heard what I thought was meowing. I ran to the neighbors house and the meowing got louder and louder. The door wasn't locked. I opened it and out ran the cat. Similar story with a different cat. Think of the not so obvious places. I never thought to look in my neighbors cellar. Good luck finding your kitty.

Re: Our cat is missing

MaggieToo — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:33:19 GMT

My DD's cat came back after 10 days. Hope you find your cat.

Re: Our cat is missing

colliegirls — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:35:24 GMT

My mother's cat was missing for a month and returned, a little ratty looking but fine.

Re: Our cat is missing

sidsmom — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:36:39 GMT

PLEASE check the city pound immediately. If they picked him up, there might be a euthanize date of one week, depending on the capacity of their facilities. Or he could just be wandering around the neighborhood...and he'll be back on your doorstep tonight! Sending your good karma your way!

Re: Our cat is missing

CathyRD — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:37:34 GMT

Don't give up yet. My cousin's cat went missing one day, in New Mexico. We were all sure he got eaten by a coyote ... and six months later, he showed up on the doorstep, dirty, and meowing to get in! He was not thin, so someone somewhere fed him for a while ... a true mystery!

Re: Our cat is missing

circles — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:39:08 GMT

my sisters cat was missing...she searched high and low...wasn't an outside cat but she thought he got out somehow....

long story short...and many days later....the darn cat walked out from behind some boxes she had in the basement...despite the many basement searches and the calling out his name he remained ""lost"" of his own will....

wishing you good luck in finding your cat....

Re: Our cat is missing

SusyQ22a — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:40:12 GMT

I have to agree with the previous poster who said that cats don't go too far from home. My let great Fred was once lost in a storm drain. A neighbor heard some mewing from the drain near their house and sure enough Fred was there. The neighbor had to remove the grate and go down and pick him up. He was two doors down.

Re: Our cat is missing

conlt — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:42:08 GMT

I found my dog after 17 days. I think Cats come back a lot of times.

Re: Our cat is missing

Mistreatedbycs — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:43:24 GMT

Saw your post and yes, the lady 2 doors down lost her cat over a month ago and it came home....there is hope, they do know their way home.

He went on vacation, packed his bags and you'll see him in a few weeks. Please post back and let us know when he comes home.

Re: Our cat is missing

Tissyanne — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:48:26 GMT

colliemom3, I am sad to read this. If he was not used to going out, he may have run into some neighbor's garage. Years ago, we had that happen, and she also was found one time at the pound. This was back years ago. I let her in and out. I don't let my cats out now. Also, check the animal shelter everyday. Go there, don't depend on calling them. Is he friendly? If he is, check with all your neighbors

Re: Our cat is missing

roundbale — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:55:25 GMT

A few years ago one of our cats got out. We were devastated. She was a petite 6lb house cat. At that time we lived in rural VA in the mountains. We searched, advertised and called for her every day......nothing. One morning, 28 days later I heard a cat faintly meowing on the back deck. It was her, she came home. I could not believe my eyes. While she was really skinny, weighing only 2 lbs,she came home.( Of course I am crying as I write this ) Do not give up hope. I will say a prayer you find your cat and he/she is safe somewhere.

Re: Our cat is missing

bells4me — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:56:16 GMT

Hope you get your furbaby back.

Re: Our cat is missing

colliemom4 — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:56:19 GMT

Thanks for all the information and encouraging posts! I'm trying not to give up. It's just so strange that he's been gone this long because he's pretty much a scaredy cat! But as we all know, cats do have a mind of their own. I will keep you all posted and let you know if he comes back and will follow the advice given here. I was just outside looking around a bit. I didn't see him.

Re: Our cat is missing

colliemom4 — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:59:23 GMT

On 5/7/2014 Tissyanne said: colliemom3, I am sad to read this. If he was not used to going out, he may have run into some neighbor's garage. Years ago, we had that happen, and she also was found one time at the pound. This was back years ago. I let her in and out. I don't let my cats out now. Also, check the animal shelter everyday. Go there, don't depend on calling them. Is he friendly? If he is, check with all your neighbors

Tissyanne...thank you. That cat is very sweet but not the bravest cat. So I don't think he would just run up to someone. I will call around. I have called our local vet but no luck there.

Re: Our cat is missing

SusyQ22a — Thu, 08 May 2014 03:05:15 GMT

Collie mom I hope this doesn't upset you, but I would call the pound in your area to make sure he is not there. Also, I'd post signs up around your neighborhood so that people will know what your cat looks like and can get in touch with you if they find him. One of our neighbors recently did this and their cat was found safe and sound. I'll say a special prayer that your fur baby will be found soon.