To ask if there's any hope of my cat returning?

[BePoliteOpalQuail]

I've been fostering an ex-feral/stray cat from a charity for 10 days. He is neutered and chipped, he is incredibly nervous and timid and in the 10 days I had him he hid the entire time. He would only eat when I wasn't around, and sometimes used the litter tray but occasionally used various locations in my flat.

I have another cat who's female and older, this male is very young. She wasn't at all bothered by him, had a bit of a sniff then got on with her usual business.

Anyway this foster cat was born outside and is not socialised, it's unclear how long he'd been in the shelter but he is not used to living with people.

Unfortunately in the early hours he escaped. He is quite small but is still adult size, he managed to squeeze through the gap in my window which is no bigger than 2 inches.

The window is on a security lock, I know cats can be contortionists but I'm still bewildered as to how he got his head through a gap that size. I never left the window wide open, however I'd left it very slightly open on the security latch and then fallen asleep.

He urinated on my couch and throw and then must've made his escape. I am furious with myself for being so irresponsible. I honestly thought it would be very difficult for him to get out of that tiny gap, my other cat is larger but has absolutely zero chance.

I know I've been a complete idiot and I'm already beating myself up. Have left food outside the window which has been eaten, but that may have been another cat. Been out looking everywhere, but nothing. I haven't stopped crying, I know that sounds dramatic but it's my actions that have led to this.

I've posted on local groups, any further advice? My partner is telling me to stop beating myself up, but it's hard. It's only been 10 days so he may not recognise this as home.

I've left his toy, litter tray and blanket outside of my window. My other cat goes out but always comes back and knows where home is. I feel like I've let this foster cat down.

Also the fact that he's not domesticated doesn't help either. I doubt he wants to be a house cat, he's used to living outside. I'm just glad it's not freezing cold but I'm really worried about him. Anything more I could do?

The litter tray i left outside has been used, food has been eaten but that could be another cat.

I'm still thinking about the gap and how there's no way a cat could fit their head through it. I can't stop beating myself up.

This is so upsetting for you OP, but it's really just one of those things.
My cat got behind the boards in my fitted kitchen and stayed there for ages. They can basically stay anywhere dark and poky for a really long time without being spotted.
I wonder if you can close off your rooms to your other cat, one at a time, and leave food in there to see if it disappears?

I just can't stop blaming myself. I deliberately opened it very slightly so that no cats could get out, I keep feeling like I've let him down and don't deserve cats.

First of all. I would be amazed if any cat bigger than a kitten could get through that gap. It’s not your fault.
Secondly, it doesn’t sound like he was ready for domestic life. It’s the fault of the charity if anyone.

Thank you

I bet he’s inside somewhere.
but don’t beat yourself up, these things happen. He doesn’t want to be an indoor cat. He’s probably much happier if he has escaped- but I’m convinced he is inside somewhere. I’ve had kittens inside the sofa too

No evidence of him toileting anywhere in the flat since late Saturday or eating any food. All i remember is that I speficially made the window gap small so that a cat's head couldn't get through. I just really think he's gone, and because of his nature he'll need to be caught with a trap.

Agree he doesn't want to be an indoor cat and is happier outside, still can't stop blaming myself.

I have read all the OP's comments but not everyone else's replies so apologies if it's already been mentioned.

You can order free missing posters here. https://www.doxdirect.com/help/free-missing-pet-posters/ I got some when my cat went missing and put them through letterboxes asking people to check sheds/garages etc.

My cat was gone for 10 days and I eventually got a phonecall saying someone had seen him. Went out to look in the area and when I got back he was outside waiting for me.

If the cat was insured, it's worth checking whether the insurance covers printing/offering a reward. My insurance includes this.

I put my unwashed sheets, pillow cases and pjs on the washing line for days hoping the cat would pick up the scent. No idea if it helped or not.

There is a chance the cat has hidden itself very well in your house. After a trip to vets once my cat disappeared for 2 days. I eventually found that he had found a small rip in the fabric of my spare divan bed and crawled inside and was snuggled amongst the spare bedding.

Double check wardrobes, drawers, cupboards etc.

I hope you find the cat and please don't beat yourself up.

Cats, in my lifelong experience of owning them, usually do come back. The getting locked in sheds thing really does happen, my little cat managed this last summer. Luckily, she knows how to have a huge strop when needed so I could hear her meowing from the neighbours shed. I have been know to wander up and down streets rattling packets of Dreamies. My dad once broke into an abandoned house to pull up a floorboard to free one of our cats.

I hope he will return. They generally slip back in at night when all is quiet...

The charity haven't really said much, just asked if I'd checked all over. I suppose what can they really do.

Update- cat found!!! Thank you everyone. He had got out somehow, still amazed how he got out through that gap but apparently he's done this before according to the shelter.

That's good news. Was he nearby?

Thank you, he's been caught on an outside camera eating the food I've left out, and the shelter will be setting up a trap tomorrow.

Great news @BePoliteOpalQuail at least he hasn’t gone far. Hopefully they'll be able to trap him again

it is surprising how small a gap they can get through

To be honest, I think I'm going to be worried fostering him. I'll be constantly afraid he's going to get out again.

When he is safely trapped i would say to the rescue that you cannot foster him any more.

They don’t get their heads in forwards they go sideways and flatten their ears, IYSWIM, I know they can be like liquid in small gaps. I hope he’s okay OP, sorry saw updates and he’s back

I'm seriously considering it. I feel like I'm letting him and the charity down though, I was supposed to be giving him a home. I wasn't aware he was prone to escape.

Thank you, yes luckily he's been found right outside my flat on camera, I think I'll get netting for the window as can't risk having it open even very slightly.

Most cats are prone to escape in the first few days and weeks. Once they're settled it's a completely different situation. A nervous cat will take longer to settle, but will eventually. You just need to be very careful in the first couple of months.