Missing cat and seeming unlikely he'll come home

[BookWorm45]

This is a sad time - our cat has gone missing and even though we've done all the possible things for alerts, searches, posters, neighbours, social media, no sightings at all.

I've had older cats (in the past) put to sleep when their time came, and that was dreadful, but this feels almost worse because he is a young cat, and also because we have no way to know for certain what's taken place.

Still hoping of course that he might come home but it's starting to seem more and more unlikely.

Sending a huge amount of love Just wanted to let you know that we are in the same boat and it's so distressing. Our cat is 13 and went missing over 2 weeks ago now and our searches, door-to-door enquiries, posters, social media posts, calling all local vets etc have not come up with anything. It's the not knowing that's so awful, isn't it? If she had passed away and been found I'd have been sad but able to accept it as she's had a wonderful life, but it's the thought that she's in pain or hungry somewhere that's destroying me.

Just wanted to let you know you're not alone. Many people around us have been lovely and have kept a close eye out for her. One said to just do our best to think that she's sat in someone's house somewhere being well cared for and fed lovely food and has decided she's happy enough there to not return home. I hope that thought gives you a little comfort as it helped me a little.

One of mine once went missing for 9 months, then strolled up one day as if she'd never been away.

One of our childhood cats was shut in a neighbour's caravan cupboard for 9 days, and came out alive!
It was a metal cupboard so presumably licking condensation off the walls.
We had done the door knocking and checked the caravan but not the cupboards.
Have you asked neighbours to check lofts and unused vehicles as well as sheds etc?

So happy to say our cat has come home (4.30 a.m. this morning !). Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment on this thread, really appreciate it and it was helpful hearing your "virtual" voices of support.

Springblossom I really hope for you that the same thing happens, sending you support and best wishes.

I'm now going to start a new thread about GPS / radio collars to get people's views.

Great!! Glad he's back.

ah that’s lovely news! So pleased for you. One of our cats did the same a couple of times when she was younger. One time she was shut in somewhere for about 5 days we think, the other time she was stuck up a tree (probably chased by a dog because of where it was).
we considered GPS but didn’t ever get round to it as she stopped wandering as much at that point!

Omg I'm so so happy for you.
I opened the thread in total sympathy, as I understand the feeling when they don't turn up.

Soooooo pleased to see your post.

Mine went missing for a few hours she's very elderly, and I know how your mind starts working.

The relief!

Then I'm afraid to say I was thinking, when mine strolled in 'you little shite!'

I had been calling and calling, at midnight and I am pretty sure she was having a lovely snooze behind the fence!!

Oh I'm so glad he's back! Do you know where he's been? Is he starving or does he look like he's been fed?

He's looking thin, certainly seemed desperate for his breakfast. However no signs of any obvious fight / damage / impact from a car etc. There is nothing to show us where he may have been. I really was starting to think that I would never see him again, now am so relieved.

I can't work it out ! I did wonder about the getting shut in somewhere. But I can't work out what sort of place it could be where someone opened up the theoretical shed / garage etc as of ~ 0400 on Sunday morning of a Bank Holiday weekend. We live in a very residential street with gardens backing on to the gardens in another residential street - of course it's possible that someone might have been a very early riser but seems unlikely.

We don't think he was having a "second home holiday" as he was thin - if he'd been ingratiating himself elsewhere then surely he'd be looking normal size.

Our neighbours have been helpful, I know they've been checking sheds etc, and a couple of them allowed us to go round into their gardens so we could directly look for him.

I've closed off the cat door for today just to ensure I have a chance to get used to having him back (hoorah) and to check in case there is any damage that I haven't seen in all the excitement, or if he needs a vet for anything. But we will let him out (in the day) as from tomorrow as he does really love being in the garden - I know I'll be nervous and hoping he doesn't do a bunk again !

And another pic because I'm so pleased to see him again !

Oh he is gorgeous. One of my cats got stuck in someone's cellar once. And my neighbours have had to turn around their car when they heard my cat miaowing from their boot!

I guess he might have figured out a way to get out. Or he was stuck up somewhere high and was scared?

I would keep him in today too. So many cuddles!

Lovely news, and gorgeous cat.

Beautiful cat OP

Glad he’s home 😻

Great news. 😊

Love a happy ending!

One of mine came home after three weeks when I'd prepped the kids he may have died. Don't give up hope just yet - cats are strange & resourceful creatures and we can never really know what they get up to.

Aaand rtft!! Glad he's back!

Brilliant news. He's a very handsome chap.

So glad he's home. The relief is mighty when they return. He's a gorgeous boy😃

Woohoo, such good news! So happy for you. Little bugger! 😂

Congratulations great news. Mmm I wonder where he's been?

That's a Zebra not a cat. So glad he's home. He's gorgeous.

Congratulations 🐾

Little buggar!!

So pleased for you OP!