Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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 21:46

Thanks MrsS

OP posts:
Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 22:06

Something's taken the food already. It's a third gone Shock

No one is inside the box.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 19/04/2015 22:29

Foxes are around at night though. Food out during the day is a better indication.

Original poster
hiddenhome · 19/04/2015 22:31

Oh, I thought a cat would be more likely to venture out at night as it's safer for them. Wouldn't a fox have eaten it all?

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 19/04/2015 22:42

Well you need to leave it out all the time really, but foxes are around at night (well, mine are also around during the day, but generally speaking they're nocturnal). And yes, they are likely to have eaten it all, unless it was suddenly disturbed I suppose.

Fingers crossed.

Fluffycloudland77 · 19/04/2015 22:46

If you're in the country there's probably not many foxes, the farmers shoot them.

I saw more foxes in the towns.

Tiptops · 20/04/2015 04:27

I really feel for you hidden . My cats are indoor only with access to outdoor runs but they were free roaming for many years beforehand and I remember the feeling when they go missing. Horrid.

She is likely to be nearby but scared. One of mine was only 4 doors down locked in a neighbours garage and we had been past countless times shaking food/ tapping bowls and calling her. She stayed silent for days. I appreciate you're anxious about neighbours but it would be great if you felt able to ask people if you could just check their garden/ garages/ sheds. Even with missing posters other people are unlikely to get on their hands and knees and search in the same way an owner would.

Have you called round the local vets/rescue centres? I did once find an emaciated cat, took him to be scanned but no chip could be found. I handed him over to a rescue centre after that and his owners found him there. He was chipped but it had failed - unlikely but still best to cover all bases.

Really hope she turns up soon.

Original poster
hiddenhome · 20/04/2015 09:57

We're on the edge of countryside, so I don't know if there's any foxes.

I put more food out this morning and it had been partially eaten within about half an hour. There are a few cats in the area, so it could have been them. There was nothing in the cat box.

I might contact Cats Protection and ask if I can borrow a trap.

I've phoned all local vets and Cats Protection to report her missing and her description. She's on two local Facebook sites. There's waterproof posters around the village outside the school, GP surgery and shops as well as several around the estate. I've told the postman, window cleaners and builders. We have a poster on our front window.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 20/04/2015 10:05

That's good news. You could do with a motion sensor camera. Your windows don't overlook where you've put the food I suppose?

Fluffycloudland77 · 20/04/2015 10:13

Possibly not many foxes then, even arable farmers have fire arms licences to use rifles on them.

We lived in the country for a few years and saw a fox once. When we lived in town we saw loads.

You'd have heard them mating in the winter, they aren't discrete.

Original poster
hiddenhome · 21/04/2015 08:08

An absolute miracle has happened!

Dh came down to the kitchen just now and a little grey face was looking at him through the patio door!

Pearl has gone missing
OP posts:
QueenOfTheSlipstream · 21/04/2015 08:09

YAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So pleased! Just came on to check...SmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmile

Sparklingbrook · 21/04/2015 08:11

OMG OMG OMG

That is brilliant. I could cry and I don't do that often on MN.

Phew x 10000000000. How are you hidden?

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/04/2015 08:15

Thank fuck for that. Best news ever.

You can put cat flaps in patio doors you know, tcn has one.

How is she?.

isadorable · 21/04/2015 08:57

Awww - that's wonderful! I'm so happy to hear it. How is she?

cozietoesie · 21/04/2015 09:01

Wonderful! Smile

How is she at first sight? Shall you hav to nip her down to the vet do you think?

Oh - and is she grounded? (Albeit in a sea of love.)

fenneltea · 21/04/2015 09:02

Oh I'm so pleased for you and Pearl! Grin

sebsmummy1 · 21/04/2015 09:06

I've been lurking and I'm so happy for you hidden Grin

GRW · 21/04/2015 09:21

That's wonderful news, you must be so relieved to have her safely home Smile Smile

timtam23 · 21/04/2015 09:22

GrinGrinGrin Hooray!!! Brilliant news! Don't you just wish they could talk?! I wonder where she's been?

thecatneuterer · 21/04/2015 09:23

Oh what a relief!! I'm so happy for you (and Pearl)

cozietoesie · 21/04/2015 09:31

I'm wondering - the timing of The Return and all - whether she actually was shut in one of the houses (or a cupboard therein sort of thing) and escaped when someone came round and opened up.

Juat glad she's back though. Smile

tangledyarn · 21/04/2015 09:32

Yey! Have been following and hoping for you..so happy little pearl is home safe Grin

Original poster
hiddenhome · 21/04/2015 09:45

Her collar was missing, but she's unhurt and her usual happy go lucky self. I've found her another collar and will have a new ID tag done later on.

Dh reckons somebody has taken her in and then saw our numerous posters and has let her go. I think she may have arrived home late last night because ds1 said he saw a light go on in our garden, but didn't realise what it was - dh has just installed a security light on the front of the shed, so it'll have been that.

Fat Cat is Hmm about it all because she's had the opportunity to relax for a few days.

Pearl has been running around purring like mad and inspecting the place. She wasn't unduly hungry or thirsty, perhaps she's been eating the food I put out.

Thank you so much for all the support. You guys have kept me sane as I was able to explain the things I've been doing to try and find her, and it helped keep my mind straight and stop the panic setting in Grin

The puss fencing stuff should arrive to very soon, so dh will install that right away. This is a nightmare I don't want to repeat.

She's sitting on her sheepskin looking tired right now.

Thank you all so much again, I really mean that Smile

Pearl has gone missing
OP posts:
Rosieliveson · 21/04/2015 10:07

Such good news Smile