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The litter tray

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:
Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 18:47

No, I can't, I can't talk to the people around me. I'll put the food and trap down at the front. There's garages at the back and other peoples back fences. I don't even like walking around the estate because I fear other people. It was terrible at the other house. I was regarded as a freak and weird.

I feel like I'm letting her down now Sad

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Fluffycloudland77 · 19/04/2015 19:02

Oh you poor thing.

Fluffycloudland77 · 19/04/2015 19:18

I wonder if you're local bbc radio station could put a shout out? Or a local community station?.

timtam23 · 19/04/2015 19:20

You're not letting her down at all Flowers. I'm sure the food/trap will be fine at the front. Cats have a great sense of smell don't they - so she would come to it. Could you hang a blanket or something out in the back? I was given that tip as the cat can smell the "home" scent on the blanket. The neighbours needn't know it is anything other than normal washing hung out.

Sparklingbrook · 19/04/2015 19:30

hidden I know exactly how it feels. I just wish I could say something helpful. Keeping everything crossed that she is shut in somewhere.

Rosieliveson · 19/04/2015 20:02

I've just read your thread hidden. I'm so sorry.
Could you pop a lost leaflet in the trap so people can see you're looking for your cat if they notice it.
Also, if you're in in the day try keeping your doors and windows open incase she wanders by and picks up your scent.
I've been out roaming the streets for kitties before. It's a horrible feeling. Also, a leaflet asking people to check sheds and garages could be helpful. We often get these and always check.
I hope she comes home soon Thanks

fenneltea · 19/04/2015 20:10

When I put my traps out I put one against the wall of the house and one hidden in a hedge, one was then covered with a blanket and one came with a camouflage waterproof cover, so they don't even look like traps, I can't imagine anyone would complain anyway.

I baited with smelly cat food and some tuna, make sure there is some at the front and leave small amounts up to the back of the trap where they will trigger it.

I hope she returns soon, the lure of food should help. Flowers

Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 20:13

I've put the cat box out there with her comfy blanket and some toys. It's behind dh's car on the drive, so a quiet, sheltered area. The food and water is nearby. She doesn't mind the cat box as she's too young to associate it with the vets yet.

This is until I can source a trap. She might creep in there and recognise it as a familiar place and remain there until the morning. I dunno.

I don't think she'd go round near the back garden anyway because that's where the nasty tom lives whom I think chased her off. He lives literally a few metres away.

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Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 20:14

The protectapuss kit is ordered.

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Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 20:16

Oh, what is the smelliest food as well? I remember whiskers always smelling strong, would that do?

I don't know whether the skippers are going to cut it.

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Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 20:17

I might go out for whiskers. Sainsbos local is still open.

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Sparklingbrook · 19/04/2015 20:17

Whiskas pouches stink.

AlmaMartyr · 19/04/2015 20:40

I really hope she turns up for you, I keep checking this thread to see if she has.

Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 20:45

We're out getting whiskers now. I'm in pjs so sent dh in.

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chockbic · 19/04/2015 20:50

Come on Pearl, yummy food awaits.

Sparklingbrook · 19/04/2015 20:50

YY come on Pearl!!

CtrlAltDelicious · 19/04/2015 21:05

Come on pearl!!

Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 21:10

It's all set up and I'm going to put a small candle lantern out with a tea light in. She likes the fire when it's lit, so it might attract her. The whiskers stinks far more than the fish.

Thanks for the support. My mind is racing trying to think of things to do.

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CtrlAltDelicious · 19/04/2015 21:16

Do you have some litter From her tray you could shake around your door?

Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 21:21

No, I cleaned the communal litter box out and her personal one that stays with her overnight in ds1's room hadn't been used from what I could see as she'd only been in there for a few hours the night before she went.

I've toyed with the idea of putting some of ds1's smelly teenage bedding out as she sleeps with him, but that really would look mad. Perhaps I could put the cover out tomorrow, in a screwed up bundle. Ds1's stuff smells because he refuses to open his window for fresh air Confused

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CtrlAltDelicious · 19/04/2015 21:24

I am off to bed now but fingers are massively crossed for you!

Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 21:31

Ta, I really hope this works. I'm scared to be hopeful. I'll keep doing it though, every night to see what happens. At least I feel as though I'm doing something rather than just sitting which is all I could do with boy cat because he went missing quite a distance away and we literally had no clue as to his whereabouts or direction.

Apparently, if dogs get a fright and run away, they keep following their nose, but a cat will hide, so, in theory, should still be near. I felt better after reading the missing cat behaviour sites last night. It made me feel that she could still be relatively close.

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fenneltea · 19/04/2015 21:35

Fingers crossed from me too! Try not to be too downhearted if the food doesn't go straight away, sometimes it takes a while for them to pluck up enough courage, so you might need to persevere for a while.

Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 21:39

Yes, I'll keep doing it for weeks if necessary. I'm wracked with guilt that this has happened.

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MrsSchadenfreude · 19/04/2015 21:41

Hidden - we rehomed my uncle's cats after he died, to a friend of mine. One got out the next day and disappeared. We thought that would be it, but tried the vacuum cleaner fluff trick, with fluff from the old house, and the cat appeared within hours, so fingers crossed for you. xx