I’m going out of my mind with worry....

[Ilovemypantry]

Think I just need a handhold tbh as I’m so distraught.

My cat went out last Monday evening and hasn’t been seen since (8 days today).

My neighbour passed away in July this year and I took in his cat. It was a very slow process getting him to accept that this was now his home but in the past few weeks he seemed really happy and settled. He’s never gone off like this before.

I’m in a terrible state, can’t stop crying. I don’t know what else I can do to try and find him...I’ve put loads of posters up in the area, leaflets through doors, posted on FB and missing pets sites and knocked on doors. I’ve put worn clothes on the washing line, put his blanket outside and the contents of the Hoover.

It’s the not knowing where he is that’s so upsetting for me, especially as the nights are so cold now.

He is chipped and neutered. Any ideas what else I could do to try and find him?

[Ifeelinclined]

Oh I'm so sorry! I don't have any advice, but I do have a handhold.

[SleepWarrior]

Oh that's so sad The not knowing must make it hard to switch off. It does sound like you've done everything you can though so don't feel bad. I do hope he turns up

[OhShitHappenedToMe]

Handhold. I really hope he makes it back soon; you're obviously a lovely person to have welcomed him in the first place. I can't think of what else to do that you haven't so fingers crossed and I'll be looking out for a happy update x

[BovaryX]

I can imagine how distressed you are, I was in a terrible state when my cat went missing. The one piece of advice I would give you is don’t give up and actively search. I found mine after three weeks but he would not have been found if I wasn’t actively looking for him. I would walk around the streets near you calling him. Go back and look if possible in neighbour’s where he came from. Contact local vets and email a picture of him to them. Is he microchipped? Give vets his number. Good luck. Don’t give up. Walk around calling his name

[slipperywhensparticus]

Do your neighbours know? Have they got sheds?

[BuzzShitbagBobbly]

You poor thing, I understand how distraught you must be.
Handhold and fingers firmly crossed he waltzes back in like nothing has happened soon.

Have you actually gone round and asked people to open their sheds and outbuildings while you wait (rattling the Dreamies). Even as a cat owner I have seen posters and thought that I must check when I get home, then forgotten.

Also, in my local area we've had several cats who were microchipped but for whatever reason scanners didn't find it, so you need to go on appearance too.

Hope he's home soon.

[BovaryX]

The shed suggestion is very helpful. He could have got stuck inside one somewhere. It’s really distressing when a cat goes missing, but if you go out calling for him and walking around looking, hopefully you will find him. The very best of luck

[Ilovemypantry]

@BovaryX
Thank you for the advice. Nobody really understands unless they are a cat lover and have been through the same thing.
I’ve knocked on doors and asked people to check in their sheds and garages but some people can’t be bothered and just say “oh, I’ve already looked”.
How did you find your cat after 3 weeks...did you just go out looking and calling and he appeared? Why do they just wander off I wonder when they have a warm and loving home?

[Ilovemypantry]

Thank you everyone for your advice and kind words...it helps just to know that some people understand what I’m going through x

[BovaryX]

Mine basically got into a park and got lost and would never have found his way back. He just vanished and I was so upset. I made lots of posters and walked around the streets calling his name. I contacted all the local vets with his picture and microchip details. I kept on looking but I was lucky because I got a phone call three weeks to the day from someone who thought they had seen a cat matching his description and I drove straight there and it was him. Keep actively looking, the very best of luck. Your cat might have returned to his previous house or might have got lost or might be in a shed. Don’t give up

[Myshitisreal]

You poor thing. The cat bring microchipped at least means you will be notified if something happens (assuming the details are now yours and not your neighbour who has passed?). My mum's cat disappeared for over 2 weeks and returned covered in oil and very skinny 😔. Fingers crossed for you op 🤞 you could try some cat litter in the garden. Hoping kitty returns ASAP ♥ it's lovely you took the cat on

[Ilovemypantry]

Myshitisreal
Yes, I’ve had the chip details changed to me. The neighbour who passed away lived just across the road, literally just yards from my house. I keep checking in his garden in case he’s gone back there. The house is empty atm but catflap is locked so he wouldn’t be able to get inside.
The story about your Mum’s cat returning after over two weeks gives me hope...I ‘m trying to stay strong and positive but it’s getting increasingly hard.

[BuzzShitbagBobbly]

Go out late at night when it is very quiet. That always helps.

[BuzzShitbagBobbly]

I’ve knocked on doors and asked people to check in their sheds and garages but some people can’t be bothered and just say “oh, I’ve already looked”.

Try again. Say "I had a phone call saying they'd seen a similar looking cat round here - please please could you just look again, shake this treat packet. Feel free to shut the front door and I'll wait out here. I really appreciate it, I'm going out of my mind with worry!"

[NotMaryWhitehouse]

Have you called round local vets? My cat was hit by a car (and recovered) and his chip had slipped away from his neck. The vets weren't sure if it was the accident that caused it or if it had happened some other time, but it took a phone call to match him up with us.

Hope you find him soon 🤞🏻

[Ilovemypantry]

@NotMaryWhitehouse
Yes, I have phoned local vets who kindly took details and said they’d keep on file if a cat was brought in.
I’ve actually got a scanner and I checked that the microchip was working just a few weeks ago.

[Infamy]

Mine went missing for 10 weeks once. I was heartbroken and convinced that she’d gone.

10 weeks later, she came in through the cat flap at
4 am, crying and hungry. She was dusty and had lost weight, but was not emaciated. She was not injured.
She ate solidly for a week and lived another very happy 12 years.

I do hope you have a happy outcome OP. Thinking of you.

[Eckhart]

OP, I once found my rabbit that had gone missing, believe it or not. I was wandering round the shops feeling dejected, and overheard 2 people talking about a black rabbit. I asked them, and they'd been talking to the guy who'd taken my rabbit in.

Rabbit had been found hopping about the car park by the co-op. The lovely guy had rabbits of his own, and a spare hutch. Rabbit was being looked after in absolute luxury!

My point is, don't give up. Keep asking people, keep putting up posters, keep checking back with the vet, keep going where he might be and calling him. He may well be in some lonely old person's house, being fed prime tuna and sitting by the fire.

[TrainspottingWelsh]

Have you searched your neighbours house in daylight to see if there's any way he could have got in but now can't get out? Or do you know who has the keys? Just thinking if it's empty and the family/ trade/ estate agents have called round and he's snuck in behind them. And ditto the advice to go out late night/ early morning.

I had one that regularly went missing, he just liked to roam but never stopped the panic. I've also found & returned several lost cats over the years when they've come to shelter in the barn and stables/ pinch the food. Some had been missing weeks, one much longer.

[Ilovemypantry]

@TrainspottingWelsh

I was also worried that he might have somehow snuck into his old house when the solicitors have gone there, but a member of the family came today at my request and checked the house thoroughly, even in the loft. I’m confident now that he’s definitely not in there.

[Myshitisreal]

Bless your heart. You could make a very simple makeshift flyer and pop it through neighbours doors and to local shops etc. Also have you got a pic and the details circulating on Facebook etc ??? Stranger things have happened. 🤞 I don't mean to be grim but you could ring your council cleansing department and provide details just in case. We did this when Hope went missing even though its unbearable to think about, you're trying to cover all bases

[Ilovemypantry]

@Myshitisreal
I’ve put up dozens of posters and delivered dozens of leaflets through doors...local shops, vets, everywhere I can think where they’ll be seen.
Knocked on loads of doors asking for sheds/garages to be checked.
Phoned local council as you suggested and was told that any deceased cats that are picked up get taken to a vets. Luckily he is microchipped so hopefully if he is picked up anywhere we can be reunited.
Day 9 today and I’m in bits and running out of ideas as to what else I can do 😢

[TrainspottingWelsh]

I think if he'd been picked up by the council then it's highly unlikely you wouldn't have seen something on social media.

Obviously I definitely haven't ever done this myself so it's not a suggestion, but if you suspect people haven't checked their sheds etc, its a shame it would be trespassing if you happened to go out in the early hours and call quietly at shed and garage doors.

Is there anywhere locally he could have gone where there's likely to be food and shelter? Eg stables, farms, scrap yard, industrial units etc. Maybe not on your doorstep but if he's got lost a bit further away. Or if you're close to a motorway, it's possible he's crossed during an unusually quiet spell at night but now can't get back.

[Ilovemypantry]

Just want to thank everyone who has responded.

It’s really comforting to read suggestions and advice. I think unless you are an animal lover it’s hard to understand how heartbreaking it is for a pet to go missing and have absolutely no idea where they are.

Sadly still no news but I won’t give up hoping and praying that my little Bonnie will come home.

[Angie6868]

I can't offer any advice, but just wanted to say that I once had a cat who went missing for three weeks. One day he just came in though the catflap like nothing had happened. Don't give up hope