Darling cat missing - please hold my hand

[OttersPocket]

My darling furry soulmate has gone missing and I'm absolutely distraught

She's a six year old black and white and I've had her since she was five weeks old (I rescued her from being dispensed of by some horrible people).

I don't know what to do. I can't stop crying. I've notified the microchip people, put up some posters and posted some flyers.

She's always back in the house at exactly 9pm every evening, you could set your watch by her. But she didn't come home last night and there's been no sign of her all day.

I just need a wee hand hold. I can't stand the thought she's alone and scared somewhere

You need to start putting food in the same place at the same time each day. That will get her into the habit of being there at that time.

Did you leave the trap down?

She acknowledged you and that's a good start. Some kind of shock or trauma has probably occurred but at least she doesn't seem physically wounded. Also a good thing. You're doing the right things. If you can keep doing those things she may well remember fully that she has a loving home and safety with you. Just as an afterthought, if you're leaving the trap out would it be worth putting a blanket or toy bearing her scent in it? Also catnip spray/powder. I truly wish you success in this. It's utterly awful, isn't it? You just want to scoop her up and love her better from whatever's happened.

Try thinking telepathically to her. Send her images of being home in her favourite bed. Sounds weird but truly, I had amazing success with this while rescuing a little feral cat with kittens. You can do this from wherever you are too, like an invisible beacon. It needs to be clear and focused, as untainted by panic and fear as you can muster.

The blanket or toy should be right at the very end, btw, so it won't impede the trap functioning; maybe just a piece of blanket rather than the whole thing. If you aren't using the trap then could you leave such an item under a bush near where you see her? Have to be careful of littering laws though. Ask someone for permission to use their hedge maybe .. might be impractical ... just a thought. I'd be desperate enough to try anything and I'm sure you are too. I'm thinking along the lines of encouraging her to stay put, at least, rather than wandering all over the place.

Thank you everyone. We managed to get hold of the cat and it wasn't ours, just a total doppelgänger (apart from one spot on the leg).

I'm devastated.

You tried your best, though.

What's happening to the one you trapped?

We didn't trap it. We spoke to someone we hadn't spoken to before who knows the cat. This one half lives with one of the neighbours but is half feral so comes and goes as she pleases. She got it into her house with some food and called us to go and have a close look.

Oh no. I'm so sorry.

Oh what a disappointment I'm so sorry

I'm in the same boat, OP - hand holding here too, and lots of empathy xxxx

Any update OP? Hoping she is home.

Yes I keep popping back to see if any news. Hoping she's safely back with you.

Hoping posters whose cats have gone missing are reunited with your lovely fur babies soon.

I'm afraid there's still no sign

It's hit me quite bad, I hope she's either enjoying some new adventures or at least not in any pain.

Must be awful

Hi Otter, hope your puss cat comes home very soon. 🌸
Just another tip ! When the children go back to school, see if the HT, will allow an announcement to be made, regarding your cat. You never know, she may have moved in locally.

An update!

After 6 weeks missing darling cat has returned! Very skinny and covered in oil she came running through the cat flap this morning.

There's always hope.

Wow! Really thrilled for you. What a relief. Wonder where she has been - if only they could talk!

Oh fantastic news!!! You must be SO relieved. 😊

otters
Great news so happy for you!

Lovely news - I bet she's thrilled to be home

I'm so pleased for you, I wish they could tell us what happened. What type of oil was it?

We think motor oil. I'm actually away from home for the weekend so it was DH that phoned me in tears to tell me! I can't wait to get home tomorrow to see her and take her to the vet for a check up.

Fabulous!

Stuck in someone's garage/lock up by the sound of it. It's a wonder they survive for so long.

They've got excellent memories to get themselves home after 6 weeks away.