Rescue cat missing after 48hrs.

[DobbyTheHouseElk]

My neighbour adopted a timid cat from a rescue place at the weekend. Last night it disappeared through a window.

I don’t know where to start to look for it. I’ve suggested putting the litter tray outside and some food. But other than that I’m clueless.

So calling on the advice of the litter tray!! What on Earth can I do and where to start looking? We are rural.

I’m concerned for the welfare of this poor kitty.

I agree with others that the cat will be hiding close by, if it isn't still in the house!
Plenty of food both outside and inside, just in case it is hiding inside and I'd probably buy or borrow a trap, it will be unlikely to be caught easily by a person if it is timid.

It’s a vent window. She feels awful.

Yes I know. People just don't understand the sort of windows cats can get through. We explain until we're blue in the face and many people still seem to think they know best. I do feel sorry for them though. Everyone makes mistakes (heaven knows I've made more than most).

They do need to contact the charity and either they or you need to be pro-active. She will probably be found.

I did say all windows need to be closed. I’m only a neighbour there’s only so much I can do. She’s very elderly.

I can’t get any reply, so I think they are probably snoozing, I’ll try again later on.

I will do all I can to find this cat. But don’t know what to do for the best. I’ve put the litter tray outside the open back door, got food outside. I’ve alerted as many neighbours as I can.

When I get to speak to my neighbour I’ll ask about calling the rescue again, chipping etc.

Are you on Facebook? Post it on your local lost and found pets page. My cat was found this way after 6 weeks missing as there were lots of vigilant people on the group.

Yes, I said upthread I’d posted on the local page.

If you know the rescue call them yourself.

The window is a high vent window. It was to give the cat fresh air. She didn’t realise the cat could reach it.

I take it she's not had cats before? 😆

I also assume as they are very elderly, the cat rescue place gave them a relatively old cat? Which is also probably a reason that it hopefully won't go too far.

The cat is a young cat.

Ok, so I’ve been and had a chat.

She called the rescue place who said the cat will probably make its way home! They aren’t coming out to help.

Cat has a collar from rescue and is chipped. Collar is a quick release.

Rescue place aren’t concerned!!

Seriously? They’re not concerned? That’s shocking, I’d love to know what rescue it is.

As I said upthread. It’s not a rescue I’d use.

They don’t do home checks, or give any support. I think it’s shocking too.

They've given a young cat to a 'very elderly' couple? Unbelievable and very irresponsible, what kind of rescue was this??

Can you PM me the rescue please? I work in rescue and this is very concerning.

Well it’s perfectly true.

I agree I’d have thought a elderly cat that needed a warm lap would have been better. It’s not a National one. It’s not nearby to us. I did suggest the CP.

I’m really concerned about the welfare of this cat. I’m going to try and look again. The food is outside and in this heat should be smelling nicely.

Hope you find the poor thing .

Unfortunately I've heard of many similar incidents (I too volunteer for a rescue) and so far it's been about 50/50 whether the cat is ever found or not. One of my ex-fosters went missing from her new home a year ago after 5 days there and she is still missing.

I agree with the advice others have given. Food needs to be left out to tempt it to return if it's nearby, but also leaflets, posts on local FB groups etc. so you can get potential sightings if someone starts noticing a new cat around.

And someone needs to let the rescue know, the cat is most likely microchipped and they'll need to mark it as missing on the chip if it gets picked up again as a stray. And the rescue will have photos.

As for windows, the advice we give to adopters is that windows should be open no more than 2 inches if it's possible to lock them in that position.

I honestly think a trap is the best bet, they are available online and there are plenty of youtube videos on how to set them. I'd imagine the cat will be hiding close by. www.amazon.co.uk/Defenders-Animal-Rabbits-Similar-Wildlife/dp/B000TAWHOI/ref=asc_df_B000TAWHOI/?hvlocphy=1006669&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=225363222612&hvpone&hvlocint&th=1&hvpos=1o2&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=aud-548500765412:pla-423184594998&hvrand=10470253727865765671

I think it’s important not to give up too. A missing rescue cat in my neighbourhood turned up at the vet after 3.5 years, he was taken there by someone he had befriended over winter who wanted to check he wasn’t owned and take him on. She lived about two roads away from where he went missing.

Any chance it has gone upwards from the window and is trapped up high on the roof/ in a tree somewhere?

Any farms or stables nearby? There’s usually food, shelter and lots of safe space to hide, I’ve certainly found more lost, or temporarily strayed cats than anyone I know in a traditional house. Plus the fact I tend to notice a new cat around the fields when someone not living here wouldn’t.

Plus try late at night/ early hours of the morning. If it’s scared or hurt it’s more likely to come out when it’s quiet

Can the useless rescue at least send a photo and have the chip flagged as missing?

The rescue have provided a photo. They said that as the cat is chipped and has a collar it will be found. I’m doubtful that the cat will return when it’s hungry as per the advice of the rescue.

I don’t think the cat will know where to return to. But we are looking in all our sheds incase it’s close.

I really appreciate all your advice. It’s helping. I think for now, there’s not much more I can do. I’ll leave food overnight and see if it’s touched.

Small update

About an hour ago I put out a pouch of wet food outside and it’s gone already. DH saw a timid cat in the area running off.

So I’ve put down a second pouch. Hopefully the cat is very close and I can keep it nearby.

Great. Sounds promising. I don't suppose you happen to have a motion activated camera?

Yes we do. It’s set up at the wooded area of the garden, we checked tonight, but no sightings on it from last night/early morning today.

Do you think it’s worth moving it to the feeding area? Ive out the food on our drive which I think would be the route the cat took from the escaped window next door.