My Cat is Missing

[Aggie_Ama]

Our cat, Tortilla, went missing over the weekend. We think she got out Sunday morning and haven't seen her since. She was declawed when adopted her at the shelter so I know she has never been outside since we have had her not sure if her previous owner ever let her out. My husband and I are both worried sick because she isn't wearing her collar. She does has a Microchip if she ends up at a shelter.

We put up flyers around the neighborhood, alerted the neighbors and I put ads on the county shelter forum and Craigslist. We have walked the neighborhood the last two days watching for her. We put food and water on the front porch as well as a shirt of mine for a familiar smell. Anything else we can do?

[PamNY]

No advice, but wanted to wish you good luck. I had two cats who disappeared for days and then returned. In one case, a newspaper ad worked (this was before Craigslist). The other cat was in the neighbor's garage.

Cats really do have a remarkable ability to survive. I hope Tortilla is home very soon.

[Blueberry]

Oh Amanda, I wish I had good advice to offer other than to say make sure she isn't hiding in the house or a shed. Sometimes cats find unexpected hiding places.

Mostly just wanted to offer my sympathies. I hope she comes home soon!!

[maillotpois]

So sorry - I would be heartsick as well. Thinking good thoughts for you all.

[Koronin]

I'm so sorry.

[OakLeaf]

((((((Amanda)))))) Sending thoughts for her safe return...

[indysteel]

I'm so sorry, Amanda. I often worry about my own cats slipping out. I sure hope you find her soon.

[Megustalaplaya]

If at all possible, go to the shelters and actually look for your kitty. Don't rely on a phone call because it's been my experience shelter workers aren't always on top of things. Leave a picture with your contact information. Don't forget to check all the vets in your area as well.

I know how hard it is when a pet is missing. I hope your kitty comes home soon. (((hugs)))

[redrhodie]

(((Amanda))) that's my worst nightmare. I hope you find her soon. Maybe notify all the local vets and put fliers there as well. Also, leave food and water out for her.

I had a friend when I lived in NYC whose cat escaped her apartment while she was in India. She returned home on the next flight, since she didn't trust her cat sitter to find her. It took a couple of days, but she found her in the basement of a neighboring building, in the East Village. So, don't lose hope.

[Catrin]

Oh my, I hope she turns up safe and sound soon!

[Melalvai]

Sprinkle litter from her litter box around your yard. That's worked like magic on some of our missing-cat-moments. It's like a big beacon saying 'THIS IS YOUR HOME'.

I don't remember the exact number but I think it was 80% of cats do return and the average time is 5 days. Our indoor cat went missing for 8 days and I'd given up on her...I bawled when she came home. I think she got trapped in someone's garage when they left for spring break or something.

Good that she has a chip.

[Norse]

Oh Amanda, I know how awful this feels. Do take and post flyers at all the nearby vets and animal shelter, street corners... And call or stop by the animal shelters daily. Walk around the neighborhood and call to her every day. Cats can get stuck in some interesting places, most often nearby.

We had one cat take off on moving-in day during all the ruckus. So she was in a totally new environs and managed to survive hiding from coyotes under an abandoned trailer, in a canyon, until we found her three days later when we were out walking and calling one night after work and heard her faint meows. Another one was missing for a couple of days - right next door, he had somehow gotten himself into and trapped in a meshed screen area on the side of their house and we finally heard his meows. That same cat once went missing, and was presumed gone, for TWO MONTHS when he showed up on the doorstep one morning at 5:00 am. Cats are very resourceful.

Sending positive thoughts that Tortilla finds her way home soon.

[smilingcat]

I've slept on my porch for about a week every night hoping to catch my cat. They don't stray too far from your house. And one morning, my cat sauntered back home, sniffed my hand and I managed to grab him. Boy he tried to scratch and do all the mean cat thing but I managed to "throw" him inside. As soon as he landed, it was like oh I'm home. I managed to pick him up without being clawed or bitten and he was purring in my arm after he realized he was back home.

Cat litter around the house is a good move.

May want to trap him using your sock/clothing or your husbands. And add food in the trap. He is probably really hungry. You might be able to borrow a trap without having to buy one. Check around with local cat rescue groups or local shelter.

I wish you lots of luck in getting him back home.

[jessmarimba]

Good luck. Mine have all gotten out at one point or another and eventually found their way back. One actually got locked in the laundry closet of my apartment complex for weeks, we had no idea where she was. The second she was let out again she was on my porch crying.

My fingers are crossed!

[Trek420]

Fingers, toes and eyes crossed. Keep looking and especially keep in contact with the neighbors.