Cat's gone missing..

[thenortherner]

I re-homed a Russian Blue (cross, I think) in December of last year. She's always been a house cat and hasn't ever been outside.

I collected a new car on Saturday evening, and went out for a drive in the evening, forgetting I'd left the bedroom window open. I returned a few hours later to find she's gone.

Unfortunately she's extremely timid with anyone but me, hiding under the couch or my duvet if anyone comes to the house, so I doubt anyone will get near her.

She's microchipped and marked as missing, but no calls so far.

What's the chances of her finding her way back?

I'm a bit gutted. As much as she used to drive me mad at a weekend by not letting me have a lie in by scratching around the divan bed base, and having damaged my carpet corners, the house feels weirdly empty!

[anonymous-user]

a few things you can do. walk around the neighbour hood shouting her name throughout the day, speak to neighbours to check garages etc.

put food out but will be eaten by other animals but always worth it.

put her litter tray outside and any bedding,, it is easy for a cat to lose track as they haven't scent marked properly and not defined there outside territoryyet.

Put your duvet or something with your scent on outside.

register on https://www.animalsearchuk.co.uk/ or local website, put on local FB board

my cat disappeared for 3 days, i kept up calling her, she turned up in the end like nothing had happened.

[thenortherner]

Thanks.

Just stuck her food bowl by the front door, along with a a toy it used to enjoy ripping apart with its mouth so hopefully has some scent on it.

I live on a huge new build estate, which backs on to another estate. I've had a look around and can't see her. I keep rattling my house keys at the front door as I know she knows the sound of these.

[anonymous-user]

thenortherner said:

Thanks.

Just stuck her food bowl by the front door, along with a a toy it used to enjoy ripping apart with its mouth so hopefully has some scent on it.

I live on a huge new build estate, which backs on to another estate. I've had a look around and can't see her. I keep rattling my house keys at the front door as I know she knows the sound of these.

first time my cat missing was neighbours garage. she was there a day before meowing, was quiet the rest, so it does help to go round shouting her name.

[ali_kat]

Litter tray contents in the gardens

Ditto with the contents of your vacuum

Call them late at night/early morning as your voice & theirs will travel further

Ask your neighbours to let you look in sheds/garages etc, as being timid means they may hide from them but call to you.

[HOGEPH]

All of the above. They are usually closer than you think.

[Speed 3]

Our silver tabby went missing a couple of months ago and I was convinced she'd been taken. 3 days later she trotted back into the garden unharmed. One of our neighbours then told us she'd shot out of her garage when he opened it. All the neighbours said they had checked their garages and sheds but at this particular house the wife said the garage hadn't been opened when in fact husband had so she hadn't checked in there. Be persistent, they don't tend to go far and do have a homing instinct. This time of year sheds and garages are regularly opened and closed, especially at the weekend. Fingers crossed.

[Boosted LS1]

^ This is very common. Gardeners open up the sheds once they hit warm weather and cat's find peeking inside irresistable. I've had several cat disappear for a few days in these circumstances. I used to knock on neighbours doors and ask them to check their sheds.

[caelite]

Had a cat disappear for over 3 weeks one summer, was beginning to think the worse when it just wondered in one morning as if nothing had happened... like an asshole.

[Wiccan of Darkness]

caelite said:

Had a cat disappear for over 3 weeks one summer, was beginning to think the worse when it just wondered in one morning as if nothing had happened... like an asshole.

^^ This. This is cats all over. Start asking neighbours. There's a high chance the cat has been leading a double life and is part timing with a neighbour.

[thenortherner]

Thanks all.

I don't think anyone will have taken her in deliberately - she's too timid and darts off when somebody comes in the house or hears a voice other than mine.

I've been down the street and can't hear anything, as well as calling her/rattling the keys at the front door, but no sign. The food bowl and toy's outside, as well as some of the contents of the tray. I'll stick some of the hoover contents out there too in the morning.

[anonymous-user]

like i said it took 3 days for my cat to turn up, they usually turn when they are hungry. middle of the night is usual, i would get up at 4am and have another walk around when it is all quiet.

[thenortherner]

Up at 06:00 for work, so will have a walk about then. Here's hoping.

[Wiccan of Darkness]

Keep us posted. I've had cats go missing all the time. One had slunk off and died, I was devastated. One was too daft to find her way home (a bengal) and I loved her but she was a right PITA, she was gone 3 months. Others have been gone for a week or two and then sauntered back in, sprawled out on the floor and acted like nothing had happened.

Keep calling her, but don't despair. They can be gone from a day or two to several weeks. Good move having her chipped, if she's in trouble and someone takes her to the vets, they'll scan the chip.

But I've been there, seen it done it and got the T shirt and it's horrible. I know exactly what you're going through. I suspect cats do it deliberately, a form of emotional torture and they get off on it.

[caelite]

Wiccan of Darkness said:

caelite said:

Had a cat disappear for over 3 weeks one summer, was beginning to think the worse when it just wondered in one morning as if nothing had happened... like an asshole.

^^ This. This is cats all over. Start asking neighbours. There's a high chance the cat has been leading a double life and is part timing with a neighbour.

I was fairly rural at the time, wee old biddy up the hill from me leaves food out for the foxes & other woodland critters, no doubt my fat excuse for a tomcat decided the grub was better at hers provided he had a dry, warm spot to sleep.

[Mr MXT]

Check the area directly under the window thoroughly.

When this happened to our house cat, he stayed completely still hidden in a bush under the window, no mewing and no responding to numerous calls.

When I found him and took him back into the flat he was right as rain after 10 seconds...

[10penceparalyzed]

I would say your chances are very good, just the other day one of our cats returned after being missing for 6 weeks! we had assumed that he had met a grizzley end but nope waltzed back in at 9 pm a few days ago like nothing had happened the 2 other cats were like who the hell are you? I don't know if someone tried to "re-home" him or he climbed into a wagon that made a delivery/collection and had a epic cat journey or just decided to go bush for a bit, he's been castrated so wasn't out wooing the ladies!

[thenortherner]

Unfortunately she's not back. The food bowl, a clump from the hoover, a toy and some litter from the tray is by the front door, but nothing. And no responses to being called.

For those whose cats returned from being missing, were they house cats or normally allowed out? I'm thinking that since she's a house cat and has never ventured outside that the chances of her returning might be slimmer..

[CTO]

Hi buddy,

We have had both house and outdoors cats, and they have both gone for a wander at some stage. Two weeks ago, one disappeared for ten days. I was starting to fear the worst and then he sauntered back in one avo.

There isn't much rhyme or reason. They are cats and do their own thing. Hope yours turns up safe and sound!

All the best

[Boosted LS1]

OP don't give up hope. Cat's can spend many days away from home. If concerned you could try the rspca or the local council refuse department who will know if they picked up a casualty. I once lost a cat that had been run over and I tracked it's remains down. Hopefully your cat will be fine. The odds are that it will return sooner or later. I've had several cat's put me through the anxiety you feel now. :-)