Losing hope that our cat will never come back home

[MommytoA]

Our cat went missing 10 days ago which is very out of character for her. She will usually go into the garden for 30 mins or so and then want to come back inside. The night before she disappeared she was running around the house like she'd had catnip. OH left to go to work and she darted outside the front door and has not been seen since Iv posted leaflets and knocked on all the doors in our road and surrounding roads. We had a call on day 6 to say someone thought they had seen her but it was a cat who was similar. We then had a call on Saturday to say a cat had been spotted on the bypass unfortunately deceased. My OH went out to look and it turned out to be a badger. Iv rang local vets and searched everywhere for her. Iv uploaded details of her disappearance on numerous vet sites and her litter tray is outside in the garden but still no sign. Our other cat doesn't seem bothered in the slightest and she's an outdoor cat so I was hoping she would have seen her. Do cats eventually find their way back home?

I'm so sorry to hear this. 10 days sounds so horrible for you but I do know cats who have returned after much longer and I hope she is home with you soon.

She could be accidentally locked in someones garage or shed.. don't give up hope yet

Thanks both. I keep thinking she must be locked in someone's shed or garage because she doesn't like being outside. Our neighbours directly opposite have been on holiday ever since she went missing. I can't remember if they went on holiday before she went missing but I'm waiting for their return so I can ask them to check. She's a very vocal cat so will let you know if she's hungry/sad etc. Just very strange that she's disappeared after having her for 7 years and shes never done this before. I'll keep positive.

Don’t wait - can you get access to their garden and see if you can hear her in the shed. If she’s trapped she will be getting weak and ill. Also knock on as many doors as possible and ask to check their gardens/ sheds/ garage yourself as most people don’t seem to bother just from a leaflet through the door.

Search under decking and in hedges. Take a torch out at night, the light will reflect her eyes if she’s in an open space and you have the best chance of hearing her when she’s quiet. I really expect she is trapped or injured if it’s out of character. Cats are habitual and if they normally come home religiously, and then don’t, something has stopped them.

*hearing her when it’s quiet

I recently spotted a cat in my garden that had been missing from the other side of town for 3 weeks. After getting him to stick around by feeding him his owner came and collected him. Don't give up hope ❤