Help! New cat got out!

[Dilbertian]

Our new rescue cat has just got out. We've had him less than a week. He is microchipped.

Any advice?

Get out there and start looking, he probably hasn’t gone far.

Put his litter tray outside and walk around shaking a bag or treats and calling his name. Do you live near where he was rescued from? Sometimes they try to return to their old area.

He's still very nervous about everything. Too nervous even to explore the house. But clearly not to get out of the house! We've looked around the neighbourhood and dd tried to tempt him with food, but every time she spotted him he ran away from her. And she's the one he's really bonded with. She knows not to run after him. She's very good at getting cats to come to her. She's so distressed. I hope he's safe and will come home soon. We don't know where he was rescued from.

How did he get out? Through a cat flap? Through a window? Into the garden or into the road?

I'm pretty sure you will see him again and, if he's nervous, I don't think there's much point in going out calling him or anything like that. You just need to leave food and water outside, day and night, somewhere near to where he got out and also probably, on the other side of the house too if there is fairly easy access between the front and the back. He will almost certainly find the food and you should start to see him within a few days. Then you can work on getting him back inside.

Did he definitely leave the house and isn't hiding somewhere inside?

Leaflet every house in the area, so they know he’s lost and will let you know if they spot him. Once you know where he is, or if he is already coming back to your garden, contact your local rescue to see if they have a trap you can borrow.
You say you rescued him, but don’t know where from. Do you mean you don’t know his original area and that you did adopt him from a shelter? If so call the shelter they will have loads of advice on how to get him home. Fingers crossed you have him safely home soon.

I would contact the rescue first thing tomorrow if he isn't back. They may be able to lend you a cat trap.

He's come back! Phew. At least we know that he knows where to come for food! Now that he's eaten he's begging to be let out again. Not happening.

So glad to hear he's back.

@Dilbertian

He's come back! Phew. At least we know that he knows where to come for food! Now that he's eaten he's begging to be let out again. Not happening.

Glad to hear! We kept ours in for the 8 weeks recommended by the rescue, but he was desperate to get out. He's the biggest softie though, so didn't mind us putting a harness on him to take him out in the garden during those 8 weeks. Worth a try, OP?

All my cats have been rescues and all have been out from day six onwards because coincidentally that was the day they managed to escape. Never had any problems with them coming back. Little buggers.