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

Original poster

Pearl has gone missing

155 replies

hiddenhome · 15/04/2015 17:19

Dh went out to do the school run and she wouldn't come in. I came in from work to a note saying she was out in the garden so I opened the door and there was no sign of her. I rattled her Dreamies bag, but nothing.

We think she may have got into one of the empty houses as we live on a new estate and they're still building. Dh asked some of the workmen, but they hadn't seen her. The doors on the empty houses are left open during the day then locked at home time.

I'm going to make some messages and put them through people's doors. We live on a small estate and there's no main roads nearby.

I feel sick, she's not a year old yet and she'll be frightened Sad she usually never goes out if the immediate vicinity, but the workman said he'd seen her playing at the end of the row possibly with another cat - a tabby whom I've seen around. She is very sociable due to coming from a large family.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 15/04/2015 20:51

Oh Dear, hidden.

Any news?

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/04/2015 21:09

Oh no, have you got a torch? Her eyes will reflect if you shine it around.

MyArksNotReady · 15/04/2015 21:13

I hope she comes back when the workmen open the doors tomorrow.

Ratfinkandbobo · 15/04/2015 21:15

Fluffy that's a good idea? See if you can see her through the windows with a torch. Hope you find her soon.

Original poster
hiddenhome · 15/04/2015 21:32

We've been out calling for her, but can't hear any meows. Her bell is quite loud, so we'd hear that as well.

We've put some notes through the neighbour's doors. How can she just vanish? She never wanders. If I hadn't been delayed at work this wouldn't have happened.

I don't know how I can face all this again. My boy cat went missing 18 months ago.

OP posts:
Original poster
hiddenhome · 15/04/2015 21:36

We can't get to the windows of the new houses because there's security fencing around them.

I've gone to bed with some codeine because I feel so shit. It's cold tonight. She's out there. How can I have messed up? We can't have a catflap because we have a patio door at the back.

Dh last saw her at 14:30 chasing bees in the next door neighbours garden. I got in at 15:20 instead of 14:45 my usual arrival home time if I'm on an early shift.

OP posts:
CtrlAltDelicious · 15/04/2015 21:39

I know too well the horrible cold feeling in your stomach, op. It's awful. Nothing I can say to help except you've got a hand to hold here. X

Original poster
hiddenhome · 15/04/2015 21:40

Dear God, I hate having cats because it always ends in tears. I love them so much. I've had old cat for nearly 15 years and she never goes anywhere even when she was younger. I never figured that having cats would be so upsetting.

I can't stand this.

OP posts:
Original poster
hiddenhome · 15/04/2015 21:41

Thank you for the replies. I appreciate it.

OP posts:
isadorable · 15/04/2015 21:45

I know it is easy for me to say but try not to beat yourself up. Get as much sleep as you can then go looking for her again in the morning. I lost my elderly gent overnight not long ago. He's an indoor cat and he jumped out of a window I never thought he'd reach. We looked everywhere and people had seen him but we couldn't find him. Next morning I spied him through the metal gate of next door's garden. Fortunately it wasn't locked and he looked at me as if to say - what took you so long as I scooped him up...

Good luck, sleep well and I hope you find her soonest.

Original poster
hiddenhome · 15/04/2015 21:51

Thank you. I always make sure my cats are in once the sun starts to fade at about 6pm. I'm really careful, but one slip and it's too late.

Glad you found your kitty. They are such random creatures.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 15/04/2015 21:57

Yes - try to get some rest even if you can't sleep and then have a go round the new estate once the doors are open tomorrow morning and people are around.

Best of luck and let us know of any news.

valrhona · 15/04/2015 22:20

Hope you find her tomorrow, fingers crossed for you here.

timtam23 · 15/04/2015 22:28

Oh hidden I'm sorry to read this. I remember your posts about your boycat. Hopefully Pearl will be back tomorrow. Try to get some sleep if you can.

MyArksNotReady · 16/04/2015 09:27

Any news?

Original poster
hiddenhome · 16/04/2015 09:50

No sign.

I've been trying to work out what could have happened and I think she's been scared off by a neighbouring tom who sometimes comes into the garden and argues with Fat Cat. She's big enough to see him off, but Pearl is dainty.

There is no way she'd have just wandered off as she hardly ever leaves the garden. Dh has spoken to the builders first thing and we're going to look for her shortly. I'll empty the vacuum later on and go out tonight scattering the contents. We're also going to print off some posters for the lampposts.

I can't believe we're going through all this again Sad

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 16/04/2015 10:22

Good luck.

Original poster
hiddenhome · 16/04/2015 11:08

We've been all round the estate and haven't heard or seen anything. I've left my mobile number with the estate manager and asked the postman. I've offered a reward.

I'll start on the posters and the missing pet site. She's microchipped and has a collar and ID tag which is new so easily read.

I asked dh to look at the products on a website to cat proof the garden to prevent escapes, but he never did. We were supposed to have measured up the garden and ordered them ready for spring when the cats started going outside again. Fucking fuck up Sad

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 16/04/2015 11:11

Oh God. I can't believe you're going through this again either. It's very early days though. Don't lose hope.

MyArksNotReady · 16/04/2015 11:12

Please don't fall out with dh over this.

I hope you get good news soon.

timtam23 · 16/04/2015 12:19

Hidden - really sorry you are having to go through this again & sorry she isn't home yet. My cat went missing at a similar age this time last year and I was frantic. We did have a happy ending as he turned up after 3 nights & I think he had been stuck somewhere (he was dry & smelt musty) although we never found out any more. Definitely ask neighbours to check sheds/garages as they may have left them open in the spring weather and not checked for cats wandering in. And have you got a local Facebook page? A neighbour kindly posted there about my cat in case people saw it who hadn't had posters.
Good luck.

chockbic · 16/04/2015 12:37

Hope you find her soon.

Come home vibes are sent.

pilates · 16/04/2015 13:01

Oh I do hope you find her soon Sad

Original poster
hiddenhome · 16/04/2015 13:20

I've registered her with two missing pets sites, have arranged for posters and leaflets which are arriving tomorrow. I've phoned all the local vets and Cats Protection. I'll have a look to see if there's a FB page for my village.

Dh is definitely going to help me measure for the fencing stuff which stops them from leaving the gardens.

I honestly don't know what can have happened to her. The estate is very quiet during the week and most people are out at work at 3pm. I couldn't hear any neighbours out in their gardens when I arrived home from work.

The house is dead without her. She's always scooting around Sad

OP posts:
RubbishMantra · 16/04/2015 15:28

Oh you poor thing.

It's spring, she's most likely found something interesting to follow. I'm sure she'll stroll back in with that "what's your problem?" face.

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