Cat went outside for the first time yesterday and hasn't come back

[kikidee]

We got a 3 year old male cat last Sunday as his owner is emigrating. He stayed indoors all week and took his time getting to know us but went outside yesterday and promptly disappeared. He's been gone for 24 hours and I've been outside, back and front, calling his name and shaking his biscuits. No sign at all. I'm really worried and just wonder if there's anything else I can do. Should I leave some food outside? I thought I should maybe open out back gate, although he can get back into the garden from other gardens, we're in a terrace. I feel so stupid as I think I should have kept him in longer but he was off like a shot yesterday. Always went outside with his previous owner and mainly at night. Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.

How close was his previous owner to you? And is he neutered?

Yes, he's neutered and the previous owner lives about 50 miles away so difficult to make it back.

Ok, 24hrs isnt the longest they've been gone for on here and they've come back. He has probably had a good look out of the windows and has a fair idea about the local area and where his new home is in it.

I would ring the local vets and report him as missing.
Ring his microchip provider and report it to them.
Keep calling him, walk around the neighbourhood and call him. Do you have any green space near you? even a bit of waste/scrubland can be full of mice.

Thank you. We are closeish to a river and I think there are probably lots of mouse opportunities on the river bank. It's all fenced off and I can't get down there to check. Have gone round and round calling him and spoken to a few neighbours. Desperate for him to appear today, I don't want him outdoors another night. It's quite cold and damp here at the moment so am hoping he's found a safe dry spot somewhere.

Yes - 24 hours is not too bad as yet. He could be out exploring. Do what fluffy suggests and keep your fingers crossed. It's difficult, I know, because you'll be feeling anxious not only for him but likely also in case his previous owner gets in touch and asks 'How's kikideenewadoptedcat doing?' Just keep on feeling positive as best you can. Male cats can go out adventuring even if they're neutered.

I'm not avoiding the fact that he could have experienced a misadventure or got himself shut in somewhere like a garage but there's still plenty of time for him to turn up looking full of himself.

And get some toothsome treats in for when he comes back.

You may feel cold and damp but he's a cat in the prime of life so don't worry about the weather. He'll have found himself a nice spot.

Our cats been out in -17c.

Only for half an hour though. A rivers just teeming with birds and water voles, cat heaven really.

No sign of him yet. I've called and called him and spoken to a few neighbours. DH is going back out tonight to hunt for him and speak to some more neighbours. I don't think I can do much more. Just really want him home.

No there isn't, really. (I'm assuming you'll have phoned the local rescue(s) as well.)

Just keep fingers and toes crossed. It's horrible when a boy goes missing like that but keep your chin up.

Let us know what happens.

DH emailed CPL today to ask for advice and once they reply to us, we'll report him lost. I'm going to have to call the previous owner to get his chip details so I can report him lost. I thought there was no rush to do that as it would take a bit of time for him to be found and handed in, if that's what happens.

Normally, I'd say wait a tad but if he's got the old address and phone number on his chip details, you pretty well have to in case he's been handed in. Sadly, your situation is a good advisory for people who have chipped animals - get those details changed directly they change.

I meant 'wait a tad' on thinking that he's missing and gone rather than taking the steps to alert people.

Have just spoken to his previous owner and it turns out he wasn't chipped. I had been told he was, although not by her. She used to bring him in by shaking her keys so have gone out and tried that but still nothing. She says he doesn't really like the cold or the rain, both of which we have at the moment, so I feel very sorry for him out somewhere.

:(

Oh dear. Keep a light on and curtains drawn in the relevant room so that he can see the garden and go out and jangle at regular intervals. He's probably tougher than his previous owner thinks but he may have found a dry warm spot and be waiting out.

Best of luck.

Awwww, hugs hate this when mine goes a bit too long. Keep calling and jangling and see if you can shake cat biscuits.

Ring local vets and rescues and advertise on Internet sites.

Good luck :(

drawn back.

It's not my day for typing.

Last Night my cat was put outside like she always, but this morning today she did not come to the back door or the front door to come in for her morning food and I dont know how long I should give to allow to see if my old female cat to come home.

I’m sorry to hear your cat is missing but this is a zombie thread.
Also why did you put your cat outside, especially if she’s elderly? Cats are safest kept in at night...
There’s another thread on here about a missing indoor cat which has some useful advice on how to get missing cats back, like putting their litter tray or bedding outside and calling them at night when it’s quiet.

Create a new thread. Cats should be kept in at nighttime, especially old cats. Hope she's back to you soon.

Now im wondering if rge originsl cat came back?

I have a cat that I rescued from the trash when he was 2 days old and bottle fed him. He is 4 months old today and went out for the first time after having his injections. He was in and out for a few hours with the other cats, but not seen him since 2pm and it is now midnight. I have looked around the area and cannot find him. Hoping he returns in the morning and not got stuck somewhere.

Any sign yet @Meeeeeee1972? 🤞

No, not yet - been almost 24 hours. Looked everywhere and no sign of him.

How did it end?