The Owl and the Pussycat
Discussion
....... And other tales as Evo moves to a new home on the Pennines.
The two of us and the old cat recently moved out to a remote place out in the countryside. The cat is getting on a bit, has arthritis amongst other things so doesn't venture far, she just potters about within the confines of the house, barn, yard and garden. She's only been here two days with us, but seemed reasonably ok, A bit clingy if anything, but that's to be expected. She never went far at our last home either, ever.
She had an off day yesterday, O/H thinks she may have been scared by me hammer drilling a wall (to put her catflap in!) so spent most of it crouching down in various places and not walking about much or eating.
Anyhow she seemed to perk up when it got dark, ate a bit of food and wouldn't sit still, paced up and down and wanted to go out in the yard so off she went. We could hear the owls calling and thought nothing of it.
That's the last we saw of her.
I'm kind of doubting she's run off (as per above) she likes to be around us and when she's doing her rounds in the garden always comes back to check in.
So the only thing we can think of is that an owl has taken her. It sounds a bit strange at first, but reading around it does seem to be a thing, we're not near a road and have driven up and down it anyhow looking. She doesn't weigh over 4kg, I don't know how much a big owl can lift.
The only thing I can think of to do is to try find where the owl lives and see if there are any remnants around, it's the not knowing that's as bad as her not being here.
A very sad day
The two of us and the old cat recently moved out to a remote place out in the countryside. The cat is getting on a bit, has arthritis amongst other things so doesn't venture far, she just potters about within the confines of the house, barn, yard and garden. She's only been here two days with us, but seemed reasonably ok, A bit clingy if anything, but that's to be expected. She never went far at our last home either, ever.
She had an off day yesterday, O/H thinks she may have been scared by me hammer drilling a wall (to put her catflap in!) so spent most of it crouching down in various places and not walking about much or eating.
Anyhow she seemed to perk up when it got dark, ate a bit of food and wouldn't sit still, paced up and down and wanted to go out in the yard so off she went. We could hear the owls calling and thought nothing of it.
That's the last we saw of her.
I'm kind of doubting she's run off (as per above) she likes to be around us and when she's doing her rounds in the garden always comes back to check in.
So the only thing we can think of is that an owl has taken her. It sounds a bit strange at first, but reading around it does seem to be a thing, we're not near a road and have driven up and down it anyhow looking. She doesn't weigh over 4kg, I don't know how much a big owl can lift.
The only thing I can think of to do is to try find where the owl lives and see if there are any remnants around, it's the not knowing that's as bad as her not being here.
A very sad day
Edited by Evoluzione on Sunday 25th July 22:02
It does sound far fetched I know, but someone has caught one on camera lifting a cat and it is known to happen.
We've thought about her taking herself off to die maybe, but she was in good spirits last night, also the yard is quite well secured to keep rabbits and sheep out so it would have been difficult for her to get out.
We've looked all over the yard and buildings (which are largely empty) and she's no-where to be seen, she just suddenly vanished.
We've thought about her taking herself off to die maybe, but she was in good spirits last night, also the yard is quite well secured to keep rabbits and sheep out so it would have been difficult for her to get out.
We've looked all over the yard and buildings (which are largely empty) and she's no-where to be seen, she just suddenly vanished.
I'd be surprised if a UK owl species took her. Maybe a run in with a fox, possibly even a badger, but most UK birds of prey would struggle with an animal around 3kg, especially one with claws...
How recently did you move house? Have nights been mild with you?
Are you near any farm buildings or anywhere that might lay poison? Does she have a bell and collar?
I wouldn't give up hope, spend time in the garden, make a bit of friendly noise, but some of her favourite wet food down, and check under nearby hedges and the like.
Obviously a picture in the local Facebook group can help too.
How recently did you move house? Have nights been mild with you?
Are you near any farm buildings or anywhere that might lay poison? Does she have a bell and collar?
I wouldn't give up hope, spend time in the garden, make a bit of friendly noise, but some of her favourite wet food down, and check under nearby hedges and the like.
Obviously a picture in the local Facebook group can help too.
Evanivitch said:
I'd be surprised if a UK owl species took her. Maybe a run in with a fox, possibly even a badger, but most UK birds of prey would struggle with an animal around 3kg, especially one with claws...
How recently did you move house? Have nights been mild with you?
Are you near any farm buildings or anywhere that might lay poison? Does she have a bell and collar?
I wouldn't give up hope, spend time in the garden, make a bit of friendly noise, but some of her favourite wet food down, and check under nearby hedges and the like.
Obviously a picture in the local Facebook group can help too.
I'd be quite surprised too, but can't think of any other explanation atm. She's quite a needy cat so it's totally out of character, no collar, but is chipped.How recently did you move house? Have nights been mild with you?
Are you near any farm buildings or anywhere that might lay poison? Does she have a bell and collar?
I wouldn't give up hope, spend time in the garden, make a bit of friendly noise, but some of her favourite wet food down, and check under nearby hedges and the like.
Obviously a picture in the local Facebook group can help too.
We're on the moors so I don't think there are any foxes, definitely no badgers. Weather has been very good, we could had sat outside last evening.
No other buildings nearby, ours have no poison in them.
We've put it on FB, but the majority live down in the village a couple of miles away.
Evoluzione said:
I'd be quite surprised too, but can't think of any other explanation atm. She's quite a needy cat so it's totally out of character, no collar, but is chipped.
We're on the moors so I don't think there are any foxes, definitely no badgers. Weather has been very good, we could had sat outside last evening.
No other buildings nearby, ours have no poison in them.
We've put it on FB, but the majority live down in the village a couple of miles away.
Not to be too patronising, but you've latched onto owls only because you've heard them. There's no doubt there are foxes near you, and very likely to be badgers too.We're on the moors so I don't think there are any foxes, definitely no badgers. Weather has been very good, we could had sat outside last evening.
No other buildings nearby, ours have no poison in them.
We've put it on FB, but the majority live down in the village a couple of miles away.
Evanivitch said:
Evoluzione said:
I'd be quite surprised too, but can't think of any other explanation atm. She's quite a needy cat so it's totally out of character, no collar, but is chipped.
We're on the moors so I don't think there are any foxes, definitely no badgers. Weather has been very good, we could had sat outside last evening.
No other buildings nearby, ours have no poison in them.
We've put it on FB, but the majority live down in the village a couple of miles away.
Not to be too patronising, but you've latched onto owls only because you've heard them. There's no doubt there are foxes near you, and very likely to be badgers too.We're on the moors so I don't think there are any foxes, definitely no badgers. Weather has been very good, we could had sat outside last evening.
No other buildings nearby, ours have no poison in them.
We've put it on FB, but the majority live down in the village a couple of miles away.
We own all the land surrounding us, there are no badgers there, they aren't a moorland creature.
The local gamekeeper and farmers have never seen them or foxes, the chickens or lambs wouldn't survive if they were around.
The only other vague possibility is she's been attacked by a feral cat, but i'm not sure they do that.
I would very much doubt Owl, unless you have some exotic owls in the area.
Little Owl - not a chance.
Barn Owl - unlikely to attack, and not a chance of lifting
Tawny Owl - quite likely to attack, but unlikely to kill, and not a chance of lifting
If you have European Eagle Owls kicking about, then yes, that could easily take a cat. But they're pretty rare, I think the main breeding pairs are in Yorkshire.
Was it possible for the cat to escape from the yard - if so I would imagine the most likely story was the cat escaping from the yard and getting lost.
Little Owl - not a chance.
Barn Owl - unlikely to attack, and not a chance of lifting
Tawny Owl - quite likely to attack, but unlikely to kill, and not a chance of lifting
If you have European Eagle Owls kicking about, then yes, that could easily take a cat. But they're pretty rare, I think the main breeding pairs are in Yorkshire.
Was it possible for the cat to escape from the yard - if so I would imagine the most likely story was the cat escaping from the yard and getting lost.
rxe said:
If you have European Eagle Owls kicking about, then yes, that could easily take a cat. But they're pretty rare, I think the main breeding pairs are in Yorkshire.
Roundabout where we are and yes we read about the cat litter thing and did that too.Thanks all, in the good news she's back
Walked in nearly 24 hrs after she vanished a bit dishevelled, with a damaged ear and very thirsty.The chap that lived here before left the place 6 months ago so it's been empty. He told us (some time ago) that there was a feral camping out in the barn and he used to feed it, it's my guess it came back last night and there was a bit of a fight perhaps. Oddly enough when we were out looking for her we saw it sat on a hillside nearby. Although she doesn't jump too far, I think she would if chased, enough to clear a wall perhaps.
Maybe the owl dropped her off
Vague little article here with an owl taking a cat pic: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/10/29/owl-ca...
Edited by Evoluzione on Sunday 4th July 12:31
Owls do take cats but I'd be pretty sure a barn owl wouldn't, not so sure about a tawny owl and a weak cat. That said a cat would be defenceless, wouldn't hear it coming for a start. Once the talons sink in it would be pretty much game over as the cat can't turn to face it's attacker and the talons would inflict a lot of damage.
OP, glad he's back in one piece.
OP, glad he's back in one piece.
Good news!
That photo is of a big owl - probably in the US, looks like an Eagle Owl scale of creature. Tawnys will definitely attack if their chick is in danger, they are a bit of a menace when we are getting ours ringed, you have to watch out for the parents, otherwise they will tear big strips off your head. They're not planning to eat you though.
I would guess she had a run in with the feral resident, legged it, then got a bit confused as to where she was, and it took her time to work out how to get home.
That photo is of a big owl - probably in the US, looks like an Eagle Owl scale of creature. Tawnys will definitely attack if their chick is in danger, they are a bit of a menace when we are getting ours ringed, you have to watch out for the parents, otherwise they will tear big strips off your head. They're not planning to eat you though.
I would guess she had a run in with the feral resident, legged it, then got a bit confused as to where she was, and it took her time to work out how to get home.
garythesign said:
Sad to read this and hope the little one returns.
I have read that putting their litter tray outdoors may help them find home if they are lost.
Good luck
I was just about to suggest that, as soiled cat litter seems to be the first suggestion from our vet under such circumstances.I have read that putting their litter tray outdoors may help them find home if they are lost.
Good luck
A previous poster mentioned being attacked by a feral cat. I’d consider that to be unlikely, (but not impossible), with an elderly, sprayed female. Surely other cats wouldn’t see her as that much of a threat to risk injuring themselves?
To the OP, I really hope you find her soon.
She's gone missing again!
During the day this time, no owls involved
Maybe we need to change subject slightly, what is your experience with moving house with cats?
Thinking back when she came to my last house it was Autumn, she wouldn't go out and just stayed in the house until Summer then the good weather coaxed her out. Maybe this acclimatised her and that we should be keeping her inside for a while? Shame if so as she's very seasonal and loves going out in Summer (not in Winter).
During the day this time, no owls involved
Maybe we need to change subject slightly, what is your experience with moving house with cats?
Thinking back when she came to my last house it was Autumn, she wouldn't go out and just stayed in the house until Summer then the good weather coaxed her out. Maybe this acclimatised her and that we should be keeping her inside for a while? Shame if so as she's very seasonal and loves going out in Summer (not in Winter).
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff