We have a new (ish) cat who we've had for maybe three months. She hasn't been out of the house before but lives in the house with our other cat who goes out pretty regularly (no cat flap though - we just let her in and out).
We went on holiday for a week and I think in the chaos of leaving the house to go on holiday (had friends staying over and leaving with us) the door must have been left open and both cats got out. We had a cat sitter so thought everything was fine although in hindsight the cat sitter was very cagey about the status of the cats. When we got back home after a week away our old cat came rushing up to greet us and be let into the house. There was no evidence that any of the food left down for them had been touched and the litter trays were as spotless as when we left so I think they were both outside for the whole time we were away.
The old cat we've had since she was a baby so she was waiting for us and very happy to see us but the new one is nowhere to be seen. She's not been outside before, doesn't know us that well etc. I'm so worried about her! People who've been round the house say they've seen her a few times so I really hope she's still here. We looked when we got back but it was midnight so she was probably off and about and then this morning it was raining so I expect she was hiding.
I've left her litter tray and a big bowl of food out (we have other outdoor cats so there's been food down during the week but they tend to be fed at regular meal times and eat it all). Not sure what else I can do except walk around calling her name and shaking her favourite toy..
Sorry for this long and rambly post. I feel like such a bad cat owner. In hindsight I should have checked they were both in the house before we left and also been more pushy with the cat sitter (my FIL's housekeeper whose looked after the cats before and we do trust but I know that she's always very reluctant to say if anything is wrong for fear she'll be blamed).