My beautiful cat is missing - can’t sleep :(

[varvara]

She’s been gone for over 24 hours - it doesn’t seem a long time, but she’s not a wanderer and never usually stays away for more than an hour or two. She never goes far from home and if we go out she’s always waiting for us when we get back.

I feel so bad as it was only this evening that DH and I realised that neither of us had seen her since last night. DH thinks he let her out last night, but she always comes back the next morning.

I know she’s only a cat but I’ve had her 10 years and we all love her - she’s a part of our family. DS is only 4 so we’ve had her for all of his life and when he meets people she’s the first thing he tells them about - he loves her. I’m just so worried Staying up tonight in case she comes home.

My girl cat disappeared for a day. I had called all the vets and shelters. Then she just came back. I hope yours comes home soon.

I'm sorry to hear that. My first thought is she may be stuck somewhere along her usual patrol- so if she stays near home then she probably will still be nearby! Knock on neighbours tomorrow and ask them to please check garages, sheds, gardens for her. Leave food outside and something smelly like her litter tray or blanket.

Thanks for replying, I didn’t think anyone would be up! The rest of the family are asleep but I wanted to wait up in case she comes to the window. And I know I wouldn’t sleep anyway

Rosemary, thank you, that is reassuring. I just would do anything to hear her miaowing at the window

Wets thank you, that is good advice. I’ve wondered myself if she could be stuck somewhere - she’s just not intrepid, and anytime I call her she appears right away; so I know she never really wanders far.

Just waiting until it’s light enough to go out looking for her again and will go round the neighbours as soon as it looks like people are up and about.

Sheds and garages are open more now this time of year so she may have strolled into one without someone noticing before closing it....I took care of a friends cat a few weeks ago and worried every night until she came home....oh I do hope you find herxxxx

Hi OP. Still up here too. Just wanting to echo all the good advice you've been given above. It does seem to be this time of year when more cats go a-wandering, or get stuck in sheds and garages. Leaflets through letterboxes and posters on lampposts and trees can sometimes help too - be careful though because you can get some crank calls. Spread the word at your son's nursery or school, and in local businesses. A neighbour's puss turned up last year after 3 months, a bit thinner, but strolled back in as if she'd never been gone. Thinking of you and hoping all is well again very soon.

I hope you find her, OP. And for the record, she’s not “just a cat,” she’s a part of your family. Please update the thread to let us know when she is home safely. 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Aw thanks forever and mini - it’s so nice to read some supportive words at 3am! It’s a bit of a lonely vigil but I just want to be there if she does come back.

Every so often I check to see if she’s out there but it’s a bit frustrating as I can’t shout her properly in case I wake folk up.

That’s definitely true about sheds - I was hearing a lot of lawnmowers this weekend for the first time this year. Oh please let her be somewhere nearby

She’s such a lovely wee thing - small and black and very purry and affectionate, and she’s such an important part of my wee DS’s world. I just feel so guilty that I didn’t realise sooner that we hadn’t seen her all day, but it’s been a lovely day here, so I just assumed that she had found a comfy spot in the sun.

And thanks Annie too - you’re right, she’s never been “just a cat” to me. I’ve had her for 10 years - before I even met DH and she is definitely part of the family. Thankfully DS hasn’t realised yet - am just praying she comes back before he does.

I read on here awhile ago that putting her litter tray outside may help lead her home. I’m not sure if it works but it’s got to be worth a try.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you, OP. I’m in Canada so I’ll be around for the next hour or so before bed. I hope your wee one comes home soon.

Thanks Annie - that is definitely worth a try! I’ll put it out just now, and I’ll put some of her food out too. You are all so very kind .

I wouldn’t put out food - you may attract other animals. I’m willing to admit I don’t have a clue what I’m talking about, but it sounds like a bad idea.

Your neighbours will probably all be in their deep sleep now OP, so you could probably risk calling her, shaking biscuits, banging her food bowls together for a couple of minutes. And listen, really listen - though the dawn chorus has started here already.

Disclaimer: If a neighbour throws a shoe out of the window at you, I never gave you the above advice!

Just wanted to say my fingers are all crossed for you and your fluffy family member. Don't lose hope!

Thanks Lass, I’m trying to stay hopeful. It’s light here now so off out to have another hunt for her.

Big early morning hugs for you, I'm sure she's just got herself shut in somewhere and will appear wanting brekkie soon. Our fat ginger feline manages to cause a huge amount of worry so thoughts are with you x

Our old cat wasn’t much of a wanderer but she did get stuck in neighbours sheds and garages a couple of times. Always ended up coming back!

I do admit I have a moment’s panic when DKitten doesn’t come to his name. But he always ends up strolling in when his body clock tells him it’s mealtime again.

Good luck, OP. I hope you find her ASAP.

Oh thank you so much everyone - these tales are giving me a wee bit of hope hope.

I’ve been round the neighbourhood again with no luck. I don’t really think she would go that far away anyway - she never normally does, but I was thinking something might have spooked her - maybe a fox -and made her run off and then she couldn’t find her way back.

I’ve made some fliers to post around the neighbourhood so will try to so that before work. I have to leave in about an hour, don’t know how I’m going to concentrate all day

Thanks so much everyone for the support - DH has been asleep all night, so I really appreciated the company and support.

I’m sure she’ll come home, try not to worry

Definitely put some things outside that smell of her eg litter tray. Is she chipped at all?

OP, does the area you live in have a local Facebook page? Or a lost and found pets page? The area I live in has both, and people frequently post lost and found pets there. It tends to end with a happy story almost all the time. Might be worth looking into and posting your girl's information on there.

Our boy disappeared for a week. We scattered his litter tray contents around the edge of the garden and he was back within hours. It was windy and we think the scent might have carried. Thinking of you.

Any luck??

It's worth knocking on neighbours' doors, showing them a picture, and asking them personally to check sheds. I have found that lots of people don't really look at fliers that you post.

Good luck-I really hope she comes back soon-

WE FOUND HER!!!!

Someone who saw our poster contacted us to tell us they’d seen a cat like her outside a house quite a bit away from ours. My DH was sceptical - he thought it was another cat, and I thought he might be right. But I thought I would take a wander down there with DS anyway - more in hope than expectation, really. Anyway I was standing outside the gate when a lady came running out and asked me if I was looking for a cat and then invited me in. There she was and she had made herself right at home! I reckon something frightened her and so she took off. Thankfully she found kind people who looked after her and were trying to find out who she belonged to. I’m so thankful to them and to the person who spotted her there in the first place.

Thanks so much to everyone on here who shared support and advice - you helped raise my spirits at a really difficult time. Our wee cat seems happy to be back and our sad house is now a happy one once more!

Brilliant news!

Oh I am so pleased for you all! You must be so happy.