Bugger, my new cats have got out!

[HeadFairy]

We got two rescue cats from the RSPCA 3 and a half weeks ago. We were advised to keep them in for four to six weeks, but the little beggars ran out the front door the second I opened it this morning after getting back from the school run. They're chipped but not wearing collars.... What are the chances of them being able to find their way back home? I've tried shaking their bag of food and calling them but they don't really know their names terribly well. One of them has come in to the garden a couple of times but I can't catch him, the other one just disappeared. The kids will kill me if I've lost them, we lost our other cat a year ago (he was run over )

Leave food by the front door? They might just be enjoying their freedom and will come back when they are hungry. How old are they?

Queen, they're 2 and a half. I will leave some food out, but ideally I'd like them to come in for the food. I've left the back door open and food by it, but our neighbour's cat is a big chap and pretty greedy (I've found him inside our house a couple of times helping himself to our cats food ) so he'll probably tuck in to it!

3 and a half weeks with you and they're 2 years old, I think they'll come back.

I don't think I'd leave food out, just open the doors and do an occasional call and biscuit-rattle. I'd be expecting them around dinner time I think!

I hope you're right Shaska, one is back and in. I gave him a few treats to reward him His brother is still missing and he's the bolder one. I'm hoping he's just exploring, he's spent the last 3 weeks staring out of the window longingly!

3 and a half weeks isn't too bad at all so don't worry on that score alone. They're probably enjoying themselves having an explore and the weather's generally a little better at the moment. (With birds doing their thing etc gardens are a wee bit more interesting than they were a few weeks ago.)

Are you at home all day today?

x post.

Oh good- if one's back and getting treats, the other shouldn't be too far behind. Fingers crossed for you.

Time to start thinking about a chip cat flap in the back door as well, I think.

Cozie, we do have a cat flap, the RSPCA said to block it up while we're keeping them in. Do you think I should unblock it then? I am around all day apart from having to do the school run. I can set the cat flap to allow entry in to the house only, to prevent the other cat leaving. Still no sign of our other chap though...he's been gone 2 hours now

Having a real good explore then. Are you still calling him etc?

I'd just unblock it now they've been out - apart from nighttime that is, when they should really be kept in because of the extra dangers. (Afraid that their trays have to stay around.)

Is the cat flap a chip one? (I'm thinking of that next door neighbour's big cat and his predilections.)

Mine just did a runner too. Less than 24 hours after the vet put him under house arrest for 48 hours.

Bloody cats, not taking owners' word for what is good for them.

I am shaking Dreamies. But having been kept in yesterday I think he is resistant to any blandishments that will end up with being shut in again.

He is going in my bedroom when he does turn up. He is evidently far too eel like to have in roaming the house waiting for an unsuspecting person not to have 360 degree vision when coming in or out.

Yay! Both boys back in the house, and ravenous! It's the most exercise they've had for months (they've been at the RSPCA since October) I'm working the next couple of days so not around much, but I think we can probably start letting them out more from the weekend, they obviously know their way back home

Oh bless them. That's that then...they've let you know how it's going to be from now on!

yay !

I'm chuffed for you love. The nagging worry in that situation can be horrible.

Yay!

And don't be surprised if they're homeboys for a few days now that they (particularly the bold one) have got over their 'thing' for outside.