Our cat has gone missing

[tribpot]

Harry Potter the cat didn't come home last night :( We'd only had her for six months (she was a Cats Protection League rescue cat) and had only been going out for the last couple of months. We hadn't got around to putting in a cat flap but DH tried to call her in for hours last night and we left the back door open for her all day today, so I think either something's happened to her or she's chosen to go and live elsewhere.

Ds, who really really wanted a cat for ages before we gave in and got her (he named her, incidentally) seems to be taking it okay. Dh has really benefited from company during the day, though (he's chronically ill and can't work) and I just worry that she's okay.

I know she may still come back and I hope she does, but it's such a shame.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Have you checked with neighbours, particularly for anyone who may have gone away for a few days - they do get trapped in garages on a very regular basis (cats I mean). She may also have just gone for a wander - they do sometimes. Don't give up hope yet. Contact your local vets, also petfinders and the rescue centre you got her from in case she's been taken in. Good luck.

[NumptyMum]

She might yet turn up - also, if she was a CP cat, did they chip her? Our cat was from CP a long time ago and does have a microchip, so if she is found there is hope she'll be returned to you. It's worth waiting another day or so, then contacting local vets just in case. Really hoping she turns up...

[Ingles2]

tribpot...my cat went for wander this week. 1st time since I got her.
4 days later turned up as if nothing had happened. Ravenous but otherwise fine.
Don't panic too much yet, but keep calling and shaking the box of food.
Fingers crossed he returns.

[tribpot]

Thanks all. Yes, she is chipped. I didn't get round to registering her chip with us but can do that tomorrow, and presumably it is still registered with the CP lady, who will know who she went to.

I think I'll talk to neighbours tomorrow and see if anyone's seen her.

Poor Harry Potter. She's lived rough before, she was rescued from a garden where she was caring for 4 kittens, so she obviously can take care of herself, but she's quite timid.

[tribpot]

SHE'S BACK! Just showed up this morning, not particularly hungry but basically fine. She struggled to jump up on to a high windowsill so DH is going to check her over once she's woken up (currently sunning herself on a lower windowsill!).

SO relieved. Thanks all!

[whomovedmychocolate]

Hurrah!

[Vix1980]

Hiya, im glad shes back, it seems the season for wandering as mine went missing at the weekend and wandered back on monday morning as if nothing had happened. i marcged him straight down the vets today and got him chipped if only for peace of mind!

[NumptyMum]

Hurray! I'm so pleased, it's horrid to think what may have happened when they go missing, my mind always thinks of the worst scenarios (although I probably never would have imagined the 'woman drops cat into wheely bin' scenario...).

[tribpot]

Thanks all - she seems tired and fragile, and may have a bite or scratch on her back plus one of her legs seems not quite right, but we'll keep an eye on her and hopefully all will be well. I actually can't describe the feeling when DH shouted at 8 this morning "she's come back!!" - god we are soppy buggers about our pets. I'm just so glad she wanted to come home.

[tribpot]

She's doing okay but may need a vet trip - we've held off because she hates going in her cat basket, it seems like insult to injury. But she's been biting DH affectionately tonight which is a great sign!

[JobCarHouseNoBaby]

Glad to hear she's back. I've grown up with cats my entire life but now I'm living in my own house when one of mine went walkies for 48hrs last month I was beside myself with worry. Turned out she was snoozing in next door's shed.

Anyhoo... if she is looking like she's in pain she might have been clipped by a car, or even more horrific, been kicked by a nasty neighbour who doesn't like cats in his precious garden. (We had to teach my nan that it is best to squirt a bit of water at nuscience cats)

Best to take her to the vet just in case in my opinion.

[tribpot]

Thanks JobCar, I think we'll watch her over the long weekend and then see if we should go to the vet on Tuesday. She's eating, weeing etc but I think you're right, a check-up would be a good idea. Just got to weigh it up versus the trauma of being in her cat basket - I wish vets did home visits :)

I think it's possible she may have been clipped by a car, I don't think any of my neighbours would kick a cat, plus she's too adverse to strangers to hang around long enough for someone to get near, I think.

Poor Harry, I just wonder where she was in that period of time, it was only 2 and a half days but I was convinced we'd lost her. She slept up close to me last night, which is a sign of insecurity and wanting protection I think - I feel like a bad mother even though there's feck all I can do if the animal goes out and doesn't come back in when she's meant to!