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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

MISSING CAT THREAD

28 replies

ArtieTheFatCat · 12/04/2022 14:47

Thought I'd start a thread to give support and advice to those of us with missing cats. Please feel free to add pictures and details of your own cats and any advise you have to offer.

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Original poster
ArtieTheFatCat · 12/04/2022 14:47

What to do?
SEARCH local area, check sheds, under decking, shrubbery, scared and injured cats hide silently!
POSTERS put up posters around your local area and in local shops etc.
LEAFLET drop door to door, ask anybody you see if they have seen anything
SOCIAL MEDIA post on all local facebook groups and lost and found groups / websites
CONTACT local vets / microchip company/ animal shelters/ local police / local council
CALL your cat at different times of the day, call as you walk back towards your house so as not to lead them further away
SCENT leave out dirty laundry, cat bed, litter tray, cats have an amazing sense of smell

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Original poster
ArtieTheFatCat · 12/04/2022 14:48

Cats are territorial and rarely venture out of their territory, if a cat goes missing it could be for a number of reasons: (from missing animal response website)
YOUR CAT IS TRAPPED –Your cat could be up a tree, on a roof, under a house, inside a neighbor’s basement or shed. This means that your cat would likely be within its normal territory, usually a 5-house radius of your home. If you cat has ever vanished for a few days and came home very thirsty or hungry, he might be prone to becoming trapped.
YOUR CAT IS DISPLACED INTO AN UNFAMILIAR AREA – Cats that are chased from their territory either by dogs, people, or other cats who beat them up and cats that are panicked by fireworks will often become “displaced” into unfamiliar territory. Many of these cats, once their adrenaline levels have subsided, will work their way back home, often showing up the next day or a few days later. But many of these cats, especially those with skittish temperaments, will be so panicked by the experience that they will hide in fear and will be too afraid to return home.
YOUR CAT WAS UNINTENTIONALLY TRANSPORTED OUT OF THE AREA –Cases of unintentional transport include your cat climbing into a moving van or service vehicle and being transported to another city or even across the country.
YOUR CAT WAS INTENTIONALLY TRANSPORTED OUT OF THE AREA –Cases of intentional removal include a cat-hating neighbor who captures your cat and either takes it to a distant shelter or dumps it in a field far from your home.
YOUR CAT IS INJURED, SICK, OR IS DECEASED –Injured or sick (or displaced, panicked) cats will hide in silence. What this means is that before you print up lost cat posters or drive down to your shelter to look for your lost cat, SEARCH under and in every conceivable hiding place on your own property and on your neighbors’ property!
YOUR CAT WAS RESCUED –By “rescue” we mean someone found your cat and assumed it was an abandoned stray and they took it into their house. This happens frequently, especially with cats that are not microchipped or that do not wear a collar and ID tag.
YOUR CAT WAS STOLEN –Thankfully, this is just not very likely. While some purebred and exotic cats are stolen, the incidents where someone knowingly steals a cat are quite rare.

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Original poster
ArtieTheFatCat · 12/04/2022 14:51

Here's my cat, Artie, missing from Harrogate for nearly 3 weeks now Sad

He went out about 11pm one night and didn't come back, very unusual as he rarely goes out for more than half an hour at a time.

We moved house in December so fear he's been startled and got lost.

MISSING CAT THREAD
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Original poster
ArtieTheFatCat · 12/04/2022 14:53

A word of warning, if you put a phone number on your missing posters, you are very likely to get crank calls. I decided I would rather risk this and have more chance of getting Artie back, but could be upsetting.

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LoveSpringDaffs · 12/04/2022 14:55

I hope you get Artie back soon. He's beautiful!!!

Original poster
ArtieTheFatCat · 12/04/2022 15:00

Thank you @LoveSpringDaffs

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Want2beme · 12/04/2022 15:11

ArtieTheFatCat thank you for this thread. Artie is beautiful. Wish you all the very best in finding himFlowers

Original poster
ArtieTheFatCat · 12/04/2022 15:14

Thank you @Want2beme

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Rupertpenrysmistress · 12/04/2022 15:43

Oh I am sorry Artie I hate reading about missing cats. I have lost both of my cats previously 1 for 1 week and my 4 month old for 4 days.

I know that horrible feeling. It sounds like you have everything covered. I did all of those things.

I went out all hours even early in the morning so much quieter. I constantly knocked on doors and was so touched by how lovely people were.

I really hope you find your beautiful cat soon.

Original poster
ArtieTheFatCat · 12/04/2022 16:57

Thank you @Rupertpenrysmistress, he really is such a big part of our family, it's so hard when they just disappear without a trace!

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Original poster
ArtieTheFatCat · 15/04/2022 08:47

He's home!!!!!

After three weeks he strolled in at 2am this morning Grin

He is very thin and matted but otherwise seems well, what a relief!

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catstale · 15/04/2022 08:56

Yes! Brilliant news, very happy for you!

Want2beme · 15/04/2022 11:12

Wow, fantastic news. Where has he been, I wonder? Easter Smile

OkPedro · 15/04/2022 13:01

@artiethefatcat
🎉🎉🎉 I did not expect that update 😸😸😸
I am so happy for you all

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/04/2022 14:43

Im so pleased for you, do you think he’s been trapped in somewhere?

You must feel like you’ve won’t the lottery after 3 weeks.

Mia184 · 15/04/2022 15:02

Great news! Maybe he got locked in somewhere?

Want2beme · 15/04/2022 17:13

I locked Ambrose in an outbuilding late, overnight earlier this week. I can't work out how it happened. I was wondering where the heck he was the following morning. It's not somewhere I go into everyday, so he was lucky I found him so quicklyGrin He was not amused😾

MISSING CAT THREAD
Sunshineandrainbow · 15/04/2022 17:25

Wow amazing

Original poster
ArtieTheFatCat · 15/04/2022 17:35

We feel very lucky, he's all skin and bones and his fur is in a terrible state, but he seems so happy to be home, hasn't stopped purring!

The vets are all closed for the bank holiday, but I've got an appointment to get him checked Tuesday morning.

@Want2beme I can just imagine the look you got, glad you found him so quickly.

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OkPedro · 15/04/2022 17:45

Ah the poor thing. I'd say lots of TLC and he'll be fine 💜

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/04/2022 18:20

We locked one of ours in a metal shopping container years ago. She went in there and we didn’t find her for 24hrs.

She was furious with us, you’d have thought we’d done it on purpose.

Rupertpenrysmistress · 15/04/2022 23:12

Oh op, you must be so happy. I am so so pleased for you. This has made my evening.

He must have had quite the adventure, how amazing he found his way back. Update us on his vet trip please. Lots of dreamies needed now I feel.

MrsCatE · 15/04/2022 23:43

So happy for lovely outcome!

Floralnomad · 16/04/2022 21:03

That is fabulous news @ArtieTheFatCat , what a lovely Easter present for your family 😀

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