My cat has been missing for 1 week - She's Been Found

helpjack

Chaps, I need some advice and moral support. My cat went out about 8.00pm on Saturday night and hasn't been seen since. It's been 3 nights and 3 whole days. She's never spent a night away from home before and she is 6 years old. I'm absolutely frantic. I've been around the block calling for her with food. I've put leaflets through all the houses on my block. I've had a lot of responses to the leaflets but none of the cats I've seen have been my cat. One lady was sure she'd seen her in her garden 24hours after she went missing and i've been up there and shaken her food but with no response. Every cat in the road seems to be a black and white cat just like Jack, there seem to be at least 10 other black and white cats and I think people are just seeing these.

She recently moved to my house from my mum's house about 2 miles away. We've kept her in for 3 months but in the last month she has started to go out. She has started to go out for longer and longer periods, always coming back again.
There were fireworks on saturday night, not long after she went out and I think this may scared her. The final element to the tale is we also have another cat and they don't get on. They tolerate each other for the majority of the time but they do fight.

I desperately need some advice. My only hope is that she is hiding out nearby and will come home when she's gotten over the fireworks however, i keep thinking maybe she is trying to get back to my mum's but she is a happy little cat and it is 5 months since she left her old home.

Quackers

I've read that putting the contents of your hoover bag outside the back door helps - it might just lure her back

Got to be worth a try??

big hugs - you must be worried sick

clancy

Oh sorry to hear that about your cat, i can imagine the worry you are going through. I hope she returns of her own accord asap, get your mum to also keep an eye out her end as its not unknown that cats will sometimes manage to find there way back. Ring your local animal shelters and let them know you've lost her and see what advice they give you....

cyberbob

Phone the local vets (in case she was injured and taken there) also your local rescues eg Cats Protection, RSPCA. Ask your neighbours to check any out buildings etc.

Apricot

Agree with Clackers regarding the hoover bag - it brought my cat back after 4 days!
Also, only call her when walking towards your house - you don't want her being lured further away from home. Try calling her a lot later tonight (after midnight) as without so much other noise she may be brave enough to come out from a place where she is hiding.
Have you knocked all your neighbours doors and asked them to look in sheds/playhouses while you wait? Many will say they'll do it but won't bother if you go so ask them to do it while you're there.

Hope she comes back soon, my cat went missing a few months ago and I was devastated so know what you're going through. I had a happy ending so I hope you will too xxx

Frugalista

I have nothing to add to the good advice already posted but just wanted to give you a virtual hug :grouphug:!! I know exactly what you are going through and will keep my fingers crossed for Jacks' safe return.

fav77

I hope she turns up soon, I know what a worry it is

xxx

helpjack

I've called and left my details with all the local vets and rescue centers. I'm going to leave mackerel out tonight at the bottom of the garden. All the potential sightings of her have been what I would consider within earshot for a cat from my house. The furthest being 250m away. I've read that they can go into hiding after being scared by fireworks and this would seem the most likely explanation.

I'd just emptied my hoover bag before she went missing but i will hoover the whole house to get some dust to shake over the garden.

I've been amazed at the response from my local neighbourhood. So many people have phoned with possible sightings. The trouble is, there are so many similar cats in the area I don't know if they are leading me away from where she actually is.

I also wonder if the full moon has anything to do with it. If she's very frightened it may be too light to tempt her home.

Apricot

Some more advice here
Have you posted ads on gumtree and national missing pets register just in case she has ventured further afield?
Search under all cars in the vicinity, when Missy came back she was covered in oil so it was possible that she had been hiding in a car engine or got locked in a garage somewhere.

Sending out positive thoughts x

beaney50

Our cat went missing for 5 days about 3 months after we moved. She suddenly walked in very hungry & thirsty so presume she had been locked in somewhere.Hope your cat comes back too. XXX

helpjack

Ok,

So I've heated up the mackerel and put it in her bowl outside. I've hoovered the house, paying special attention to all Jack's favourite places to spread on the garden.
I've called for Jack so hopefully she will associate all these familiar and tasty smells with me and home. I'm also going to go out about 1am and call.

I've listed Jack on lostpetlocater and petsearchuk

We are keeping my other cat in so there are no distractions for Jack.

Just to say thanks for the support. I've tried several specialist 'lost cat' forums today and had only one response (although I've picked up lots of advice). Good old Martin has come through for me and provided this forum and support.