Other cats eatting food I put out for my AWOL cat

[WebbedPuddles]

My timid little cat disappeared after being with us for 3 months. She's a former rescue cat; didn't have a good start in life and we've never been able to touch her, let alone pick her up. But she was getting better and was seeming to trust us a little - then she got out.

At first I put food outside for her and when I peeped out he window I saw her eatting it . She's been gone 2 weeks now. Not spotted her for a week but the food is disappering, but I've spotted other neighbourhood cats eating it.

Don't know what to do - feeding her was a way of keeping contact with a view to luring her back inside again - not sure what to do. She's not feral or semi feral by the way. What can I do?

Ouch. I'd almost be tempted to stop leaving it outside now on the grounds that if it's on the radar of other neighbourhood cats, they (and any foxes) could all start coming round to dine and the general commotion of other animals might prevent her coming back if she's shy.

It's very difficult. She knows where you are though if she was initially returning to eat.

I'd be putting out so much (during the day only - at night the foxes will eat it first) that there is still plenty left after all the other cats have eaten. Having food there all the time is the only way you will get her back.

The trouble is that she did return, TCN, and then hasn't been seen again - but the other cats have. I suspect she may be a real shy one.

Exactly Cozie. So she knows where the food is. So the only way to get her coming regularly is to always have food there, even if it does mean getting through a hell of a lot of cat food over the next few weeks.

Ah well - you could be right but awful for the OP either way. You just feel so darned helpless.

Will do as you suggest and put food out in large quantities. Planning to stay up late toninght, spying, in the hope that I'll catch sight of her.

Best of luck.