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.

Who was it that took her to the rescue? It’s a very odd story, do you have the name of the rescue?

Sorry that you find it odd Bookworm4!

A family member took her.

I'm confused. What's odd about a pregnant cat coming into a rescue? That happens multiple times a day in our rescue alone. They are either stray or belong to entirely irresponsible owners. The world isn't short of those!

Have I misread something?

Have I misread something?

I read it as a backstory to that that might suggest that kitty will adjust to a home environment well ... as in - that's not the full story.

Ah, I see. Quite possibly. But whatever the back story a timid cat is a timid cat. Any prospective owners need to be aware what that can entail.

OP - are you saying there is no way to shut those windows properly? Even those vented windows normally have a little lever thing that holds them closed I think?

I hope you get a trap sorted OP, like I say if you are in the NE I can lend you one, they are simple to use and plenty of youtube vids if you get stuck! The main thing is to ensure there are no dishes or anything that can get caught under the trip plate as it would stop it going off properly and just scare the cat.
Regardless of whether the rescue is good or not, the poor cat and neighbour need help. There are hundreds, if not thousands of cats that aren't neutered and end up in terrible states, so well done your neighbour for trying to help one. In the right homes timid cats can come round, my elderly mother has a stray that was young, terrified and had kittens outside, they are both inseperable now!

To clarify,

I don’t think there is anything odd about a pregnant cat arriving in a rescue. What I’m saying is the back story about why it was brought to the rescue is not quite believable imo. The rescue didn’t say it was a timid cat.

The windows can be closed, I’m worried that they might not be as NDN said oh well when I get her back she can go outside now, no need to keep her in. I did explain that the cat needed time and patience and to be inside for a while to get it used to it’s new home and used to sounds and smells etc. This is where I’m not sure the rescue have explained properly what is required when you adopt.

Anyway, rescue place aside. I really need to help this cat. I’ve convinced myself I know where it’s hiding. So I’ve put down water. I can’t get to the place I think it’s hiding, so that’s why I think it’s there.

Ah right. I see. Well yes, something definitely has gone wrong in the homing process and they are certainly the wrong people for this cat. If you can't get through to your neighbours I would maybe suggest to the rescue that they take the cat back (when you catch it) and give them something easier.

Thank goodness you're around to pick up the pieces!

NDN said oh well when I get her back she can go outside now, no need to keep her in.

What the actual???
Are you sure NDNs have had cats before? Does she realise the trouble you are going to, to try and catch the poor thing?

I work in rescue and she is obligated to inform the rescue!

Bookworm4 Can I ask why and how long for? It must be so hard to enforce. I signed to say if I couldn't look after Harry I would return him to the rescue but there's no way I would, I'd rather he went to another rescue (not that it's likely to happen!).

OP the more you write about the neighbors the more I think the cat would be so much better of with you.

My local CP league homed a cat with me and my small children (5 and 2) without a home visit. The cat was actually very approachable at the foster carer but as soon as it could legged it through my locked cat flap. It caused me no end of stress. I don’t blame the CP league. It was my cat flap it got out from. The cat was far more timid than they thought it was and was therefore unsuitable for my home. (It’s now with a more suitable owner).

I agree the cat probably shouldn’t go back to the neighbour, they don’t seem to understand cats and it will escape again given half a chance (based on my own experience!)

I’ve got my own cat.

If this cat doesn’t get on with the NDN or needs a new home then I think it needs re homing properly. That’s if we ever manage to catch it. I’m going to put food out again later and check the night vision camera. Personally I think it ate last nights food and ran off and hid again.

It doesn't sound like a very responsible rescue if they're not bothered (and it sound like they might not have done proper home checks?)

And if they do lend you a trap, please don't leave it unattended - animals can seriously hurt themselves if they panic when the trap door closes, so it's best to be nearby so you can remove them and cover them over (and hope they calm down!)

They aren’t lending a trap.

I’m feeling so sad for this poor thing. She must be terrified and hungry. Nothing on the night vision camera, but our security light might have stopped it working. DH is setting it up and hopefully it will work. We will test it anyway when it’s dark. I’ll put the food down again later. No point in the day as my greedy boy would steal it. She didn’t eat the food this morning and I kept him in. There has been water available for her all day.

Oh no. Well the first step is to get her coming regularly anyway. So yes, just keep putting the food out.

Later on you may gain her trust enough to be able to scruff her, or you could perhaps borrow a trap from somewhere else. Cat's Protection for example. Sometimes vets have traps they lend out.

The most important thing is that there is food available and she knows where it is. Just keep doing what you're doing and try not to worry.

My inexperienced trapping experience was very stressful tbh. If you know she has a safe hiding place, and she starts coming for food every night, you could just try and gain her trust that way. I think I’d do it that way if I did it again. It’s hard though as all the while you can’t see them your are worrying. (Meanwhile the cat is pleased their hiding place hasn’t been foiled!)

Ps OP I can almost guarantee that if she starts associating you with food she’ll be sat on your driveway waiting at teatime in a few weeks!

Well she didn’t eat any food last night. My NDN put out food too and it didn’t get eaten. I’m wondering if she’s moved on. She must be so hungry. The night vision camera isn’t working, so I’ll try and fix it for tonight.

Oh dear. Well keep persevering. I'm sure she'll turn up.

She may have wandered a bit further as her confidence has grown. Keep putting the food out as I'm sure she'll be back to where she knows there's a food source.

I’ll keep putting the food out. She literally could be anywhere. I’m hoping as she is a timid cat she will be nearby.

It was really wet last night, but it’s been warm today. Poor thing.

The food wasn’t eaten again last night....