I just can’t believe it...she’s back!

[Luckybe40]

My much loved cat, 1 of 2 sisters went missing from my parents in laws house last summer, they were cat sitting, she got out in a storm and got lost...they looked and looked for her for ages, we were all heartbroken 6 months go by, we get another small kitten as we missed having 2 cats. Had totally given up...low and behold DPIL were still canvassing and posting in Facebook and they started getting calls about her location a few nights ago. After a couple of tries they finally manage to get her! She’s coming home today! As happy as I am I feel SO bad that she’s coming home to a strange cat in her house and a traumatic last year. I don’t know how I can ease her into the homelife after so long! She’s amazingly in good nick, (she’s not got a new home, she’s still got her Old collar on and had been living in a shed as far as we know...) but must be traumatised. Any ideas how to ease her back into homelife? With a strange cat?

I have no idea what you need to do to re-acclimatise her - I'm not a cat owner, I cat-sit rather than own - but I'm so happy for you! What an amazing thing to happen - and poor little cat, it's hard to imagine what she's been doing all year and how she's survived. So pleased for you OP. And looking forward to hearing more when she gets home.
I hope she knows you - that'll be a big bit of how well she adapts to being back I guess?
Good luck later!

Buy some Feliway friends. Keep her locked in a room alone with litter, food etc initially.
Give her a blanket to sleep on and do daily exchanges of bedding with FF between her and the other 2 cats (so she remembers the old one as well as introducing her to the new one).
Let her settle for a few days and remember who you are. Re-introduce her to the old cat first - make sure they have plenty of space .

Ensure you have multiple feeding and resting spaces and don't let conflict or resource-guarding occur.
Use this document to ensure that conflict doesn't occur
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X13477537

Thank you both for your input, I’m SO happy that she’s back, just can’t believe it! Never thought I’d see her again...

Glad someone turned up with practical advice OP! I'm just here for the joy...

That’s such good news, don’t rush the introduction because it can really affect their relationship long term. What a clever cat to keep herself alive for a whole year especially over winter!.

No disrespect to your pil but I’d use a cattery next time. You can get some really rice cat hotels now and it’s cheaper than ending up with another cat.

Or a house/cat sitter. Care for animals in their own home, no changes to routines etc. I love doing it! So many cats to love...

My cat went missing, not as long as yours but for four months. She knew she was back home and settled in straight away, but I guess yours may be a bit traumatised after a year.

I agree with the feliway suggestion and restricting to one room for a few days/weeks (and lots of attention if she wants it). Then gradually she should want to come out.

Cats have a good sense of smell, she should remember your smell and hopefully know she is home.

The introduction to the new cat can come later when she's more settled.

Congratulations, what wonderful news 🥳

No advice, just wanted to say that's brilliant news!

Oh how wonderful! Will we be treated to some photos when she’s home and settled in?

Wishing you luck in getting all the cats together. 🌷

Never again will I take them somewhere else, this year I got a friend to move in for 2 weeks, he loved the space, I was happy the cats were at home...I’ll keep her in our bedroom ( her fav room because of the big bed!) for a few days and be guided by her...I’ve missed her so much! It’s really amazing news

Photos to come! AND I’ve always wanted 3 cats!

Looking forward to the photos...

As others have suggested, keep her in one room to re-familiarise her to the smells and sounds of your home. Make sure to worm and deflea her. Couple of feliway plugs will be good. Try and keep her in for a couple of weeks, as you’d do if you move house, as she may try and wonder back to where she was.

My cat reappeared after 17 months, wandered in, curled up on the sofa in his old spot and had a snooze. It was like he'd never been away.

Is she home @Luckybe40?

Hopefully no news from @Luckybe40 means good news! Possibly a whole weekend of cat snuggles keeping OP away from the thread...😊

Hope she’s settling in well!

Wow that is just amazing

Is there an update?

I hope she settles back in quickly.

Friends of mine had a cat that went missing. She tired up about 2 months ago after 4 years!