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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Feel empty, cat isn't coming back

169 replies

allyf92 · 16/07/2021 23:11

My cat disappeared two and a half weeks ago. We found out he'd been transported 20 miles away in a delivery van that he'd climbed in, and since the day we found out where he'd been camping out, he has totally dropped off the face of the earth. People were seeing him up til the day we found out the village he was in, and now nothing. No one has seen him since that day. He must be either dead or travelled somewhere else.

We've put posters all around the area, but it's big wide countryside and he could be anywhere and if he's gone further, people won't know he's missing.

I know I'm not going to get him back. The chances feel too slim. It's too far for him to get back on his own.

I'm totally heartbroken. I've got a 4 month old baby and I can barely sleep, I feel awful, l know I'm grieving essentially, but I still have this lingering hope which almost feels worse as there's no closure. He's only a year old and was my baby. He was there for me for 6 weeks in the first lockdown that I spent completely on my own and we were so close. How can I feel better and get on with life?

OP posts:
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MrsGru · 25/07/2021 22:45

Hi OP, just wanted to share our story as it’s quite similar and might be of help. Our cat went missing recently- he escaped from a cattery so was also in unfamiliar surroundings miles from home. After several weeks of hunting and following up sightings which weren’t of him we had some definite sightings and found he was still quite near the cattery eating food that was being put out for stray cats. One of the people putting out the food set up their wildlife camera overnight and caught him on film so we knew he was definitely around and then we saw him in the woods nearby and heard the bell on his collar so knew he was in the area. They agreed to us putting out a cat trap which we borrowed- we put a blanket on top to cover it, a blanket he’d slept on inside and his favourite treats and water. It took 9 days but he did eventually go into the trap and he is now back home with us after 6 weeks away on his own. One tip we had was to put in some smelly fish so we put in some tinned mackerel and sardines starting the day before he went in it so I don’t know if that helped. I wondered if he would have gone feral after so long away and he wasn’t responding to our calling but I think he was just very scared. He has been very affectionate with us since we got him home! So it’s really positive you have had more sightings of your cat and now he has found a food source he will probably stick nearby and a trap may well work. I completely empathise with how awful a situation it is - we hardly ate or slept for weeks - but there is definitely hope and your recent sightings sound very positive. Really hoping your cat is home soon and sending you every good wish.

OriginalTaste · 26/07/2021 08:28

OP this is really positive news, and I hope it resolves quickly and he's home with you!

Can you get one of those solar-powered security cameras, and ask the kind land owner to connect it to their WiFi, that way you can see if it is your boy getting the Dreamies?

Stickytreacle · 26/07/2021 09:25

MDC Eezicatch traps, the longer ones are better, but put fishing weights on the door for faster closure a wary fast cat can occasionally get out before the door is fully down, and practice setting a few times before use. Feeding in the same spot will keep him in the area. There are videos of use/setting on youtube.

Stickytreacle · 26/07/2021 09:33

This video shows the fishing weights on an try catch trap, which are exactly the same as eezicatch, it shows how the door can bounce.

Stickytreacle · 26/07/2021 09:33

Oops forgot link! vimeo.com/277864842

Original poster
allyf92 · 26/07/2021 20:43

@MrsGru

Hi OP, just wanted to share our story as it’s quite similar and might be of help. Our cat went missing recently- he escaped from a cattery so was also in unfamiliar surroundings miles from home. After several weeks of hunting and following up sightings which weren’t of him we had some definite sightings and found he was still quite near the cattery eating food that was being put out for stray cats. One of the people putting out the food set up their wildlife camera overnight and caught him on film so we knew he was definitely around and then we saw him in the woods nearby and heard the bell on his collar so knew he was in the area. They agreed to us putting out a cat trap which we borrowed- we put a blanket on top to cover it, a blanket he’d slept on inside and his favourite treats and water. It took 9 days but he did eventually go into the trap and he is now back home with us after 6 weeks away on his own. One tip we had was to put in some smelly fish so we put in some tinned mackerel and sardines starting the day before he went in it so I don’t know if that helped. I wondered if he would have gone feral after so long away and he wasn’t responding to our calling but I think he was just very scared. He has been very affectionate with us since we got him home! So it’s really positive you have had more sightings of your cat and now he has found a food source he will probably stick nearby and a trap may well work. I completely empathise with how awful a situation it is - we hardly ate or slept for weeks - but there is definitely hope and your recent sightings sound very positive. Really hoping your cat is home soon and sending you every good wish.
Wow that's remarkable and very similar to our situation! How wonderful you managed to get him back. It's been so draining, physically emotionally and financially, so as well as massively missing him, I so want this to be over and done with for my own mental health.

I picked up a cat trap from CPL today and will be taking it to the house tomorrow, setting it up with his favourite food.

I was thinking possibly lining it with his blanket and/or covering it so it has his smell, what do you guys think? Will that help?

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 26/07/2021 20:44

It should help.

MrsGru · 26/07/2021 22:15

Yes, we were also told to put something that smelled of him in or on the trap. We covered it with a blanket so it didn’t look like a cage too. Make sure the food is right at the back - twice a cat went in ours and ate the food without triggering it so we used smaller containers for food and water right at the back and that’s when our cat was trapped.

Stickytreacle · 26/07/2021 23:38

Nbe careful puttingblankets insude the trap, itcouldget caught in the trip plate and end upnot trapping and just frightening the cat, covering the trap is fine, again, makesure the door closure isn't affected and both ends clear so he can see through. Good luck!

Original poster
allyf92 · 27/07/2021 17:48

Cat trap is set - fingers crossed it does the trick

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 27/07/2021 17:55

Good luck. Hopefully it won’t take too long.

Stickytreacle · 27/07/2021 17:55

Fingers and everything crossed!!

Toasty280 · 27/07/2021 18:02

Paws crossed

RunningFromInsanity · 27/07/2021 18:03

I do dog trapping and we tend not to put blankets down incase they stop the door closing. We usually put a layer of hay on the floor, then some smelly fish around and into the trap.
Best not to cover the trap up either. They need to be able to go all around it to investigate before being tempted in by the food.

MrsGru · 27/07/2021 20:34

All fingers and paws crossed here - hope he’s hungry and heads into it soon.

Floralnomad · 27/07/2021 21:43

Hope the trap works .

Newnamefor2021 · 27/07/2021 21:50

My cat returned after a year missing www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4193039-my-cat-returned-after-a-year-missing

This is my post 👆 my cat was missing a year. She's back and so happy and back to her usual self. So don't give up hope.so sorry. What a stressful thing to happen.

violetbunny · 28/07/2021 08:18

Good luck!!!

RuthTopp · 30/07/2021 18:14

Have you had any news ?

Motorina · 31/07/2021 09:05

Good luck! Thinking of you.

Original poster
allyf92 · 31/07/2021 16:52

Only a hedgehog caught so far. Hoping he decides to seek shelter with this chillier weather and biblical rain!

OP posts:
MrsCatE · 31/07/2021 17:02

Paws crossed for better news x

Lifeispassingby · 31/07/2021 17:24

Keeping everything crossed for you OP. What a lucky cat to have such a devoted owner ❤️

SurferWoman · 31/07/2021 18:20

Good luck OP

Mpsister · 31/07/2021 22:09

I really hope you get him back. Don't give up 👍

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