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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Missing cat has returned but ....

220 replies

topknob · 22/04/2012 12:46

Charley went missing just under a year ago...searched everywhere, did leaflet drops etc, many sightings but no one could get him. We now have two females, both spayed. I thought I saw Charley last week, just a fleeting glance so wasn't sure. Then yesterday dh clearing out his works van, I was out there too and along comes Charley following one of my females :) I was patient, sat down near them as they laid together under a car then watched them following each other about. He did at one point lay in front of me, but I was worried about scaring him. He came back AGAIN about an hour later..went to follow our female into the house then she turned round and went back out !! So he sat on our front garden for ages...when I called him he would look at me but didn't make any attempt to come up to me or dh (he was Charleys fav :) ) I took lots of photos have compared them to when he was younger and the markings are exactly the same.
What do I do now?? I am eagerly waiting for him to pop up again hopefully should I attempt to approach him? Should I put his old bed out for him?? Any ideas?

OP posts:
topknob · 10/05/2012 21:43

Thanks x

Today could have been the day if only dd wasn't off school sick....she wasn't really ill but had been a little sick Wednesday night so kept her off just in case, she has been fine all day ! We went to pop to the shops at about 10.00am opened the door and there he was :o so shop got cancelled whilst we fed him and stroked him and then watched him lay down and go to sleep in the hallway. I was so tempted to close that door but dd was there and I didn't want him getting stressed in front of her. He wandered off once dh came home from work at about 11.00am. Moving on to tonight I hadn't seen so went out and called him :) as you do, nothing so went back out 1/2 hour later and he was sitting on the low wall just outside our door, once I saw him and said hello not really a mad cat lady he came strolling in, dh got two pouches and a plate, I put the food down in the living room and in he came no problem and ate it all he is getting very large now I stroked him all over no issues at all :o then he wandered off !

I am very hopeful that once the kids are all at school tomorrow he may turn up during the day, apparently the weather is meant to be good so he should do. I will get him eating in the living room again and close that bloody door and then keep in him. Again if he gets proper stressed I will consider letting him back out but if it is just me here I will be more laid back about him pacing and just allow him to explore as he wants to.

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Sparklingbrook · 10/05/2012 22:03

Look at the progress you have made so far though, it won't be long at the time has to be right. Smile

topknob · 10/05/2012 22:50

The timing does have to be right....I look at that boy and just want to cuddle him but I can't :( he wouldn't have it yet. He has been a stray for a year that we know and it isn't going to happen yet but I feel I must get him neutered asap :) for him and for us x

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topknob · 11/05/2012 10:57

Well got back from school assembly and he was waiting on the front lawn :) put his food in the living room again and he strolled in whilst I shut the door Shock

He went a bit loopy and ran upstairs, heard a few things fall down :) then came back down, strolled around downstairs for about 10 minutes, sitting down every now and then. No meowing etc then he started clawing really badly at the windows :( really badly :( so I let him out :( and he finished his food then on the front step and wandered off across the road. I don't doubt he will be back later :) this is going to take so much time :(

AND I can't find my fluffy cat :( got up at 6am and Lucy the other cat was asleep in her bed but Milly wasn't there. She never goes far and normally me calling her makes her appear but not today :(

I think I have cat issues :o

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crazynanna · 11/05/2012 11:01

ok well he's not ready yet then. Ayear with no human contact and all that freedom is a long time...a little more patience me thinks Smile I reckon he will be back...for the food.

Fluffy cat may have strolled off with him for a couple of hours?

She'll be back Smile

topknob · 11/05/2012 14:57

She still hasn't surfaced Sad Sad this is so not her Sad I have been out looking but nothing ! I hope she turns up as I don't fancy all the worry again Sad

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crazynanna · 11/05/2012 15:10

Don't worry I am sure she will turn up Smile

topknob · 11/05/2012 16:14

Good vibes worked :o thank you x

Little cow was laying in her bed when I just got back from school run :)

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Sparklingbrook · 11/05/2012 16:17

That's great topknob. Sparkling Cat disappeared til 2.30am the other night (she went out at about 7pm) I was seriously thinking of starting the Lost posters.

Fluffycloudland77 · 11/05/2012 16:52

I wish cats could have mobiles.

"where are you?"

"Miaaaaoooowww"

"well get your furry little arse back home, NOW"

You can get tracking devices for them, but it's a bit bulky and my cat removes collars so I didnt get one. I would love to know where he buggers off to all day.

crazynanna · 11/05/2012 18:09

told you! Grin

JustFab · 11/05/2012 18:30

Please talk to me about tracking devices!!

topknob · 11/05/2012 18:33

I have may have looked into tracker collars Blush

Sparkling they do make us worry Grin

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RandomMess · 11/05/2012 18:47

Hope fluffy cat turns up, such good progess with wanderer x

topknob · 14/05/2012 15:03

He is here , chilling in my loving room but the front door is open and I am cold Wink got to get kids in a min so have to chuck him out Sad

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crazynanna · 14/05/2012 15:06

Grin He's in!
Don't worry...now he has relaxed,he will be back after you chuck him out.

Well done Smile

So now he's in,is it defo him?

topknob · 14/05/2012 17:21

He was back when we returned and in popped in again then had to take kids to dentist so he went back out and was sitting on the step when we returned Grin both dd's have stroked him, he comes to me and dh when we call him Grin he is fine but I haven't shut him in at all today, I might work up to that Wink. He meows at me, rolls on the floor for me to rub his belly oh and meows outside the window Grin . I got dh to take a load more photos but I am on my phone so can't add at the min. I am sure it is him but will do more comparisons later Grin

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crazynanna · 14/05/2012 17:25
Grin

The last big test is closing the door and keeping him in....

Try for 10 minutes....then 20 and so on, and keep opening the door (if he isn't stressed...or close the door and keep a window visibly open for an escape route.

Well done...your patience has paid off Smile

Sparklingbrook · 14/05/2012 17:34

I think you are being really sensible, slowly gaining his trust. Keep going. Smile

topknob · 17/05/2012 06:56

Just about to add this mornings photo. Had the front door open since 6.00am :o dh went to go to work and he was asleep on the mat with Lucy cat, dh fed him and left and he strolled in with Lucy, he was here for almost an hour :o

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Wolfiefan · 17/05/2012 07:47

Just found this thread. Good luck with him and lovely to hear such a hopeful thread. You are a good cat mum!

crazynanna · 17/05/2012 08:39

I think you just have to see him as a "teenager" who just uses your house as a hotel Wink

MNP · 17/05/2012 09:15

Topknot, do you have a cat flap?

topknob · 17/05/2012 09:48

crazynanna :o

Yes MNP but it is in the back door and he doesn't go in the back garden.

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MNP · 17/05/2012 09:50

But could you encourage him by feeding him in that room with the girls? Would mean he would be in but able to get out?