House cat missing for 5 days and counting

[MyFavouriteFurballIsMissing]

My DCat is around 10 years old. We rescued her around 5 years ago from a dysfunctional flat, where she wasn't allowed out.

She's incredibly bonded to us as humans. She is allowed out but won't go further than the garden or half way down the drive at the front. She won't use a cat flap at all.

She literally disappeared from the garden into thin air on Tuesday evening. Stupidly we thought she was inside and so didn't realise until the next morning.

We've tried posters, leaflets, door knocked the neighbours, done physical searches, gone out to look at night, cooked chicken and wafted it about etc. Her litter tray is outside as is her favourite blanket.

There was a very credible sighting of her last night around 8pm but unfortunately we didn't get a phone call until this morning as the man who saw her is older, doesn't have internet and only saw the missing poster on his way to the shop this morning (I hadn't done flyers in that area by then). We've searched and searched that area but she literally could be anywhere.

We are distraught and so incredibly worried what with the heat wave. I just feel sick - I'd rather know even if she were dead, at least we'd have some closure. The kids aren't sleeping and are having panic attacks.

Any other suggestions? I'm desperate and can't stop crying.

[RannisLord]

Have you looked with a torch? When my house cat went missing she had gone to ground in the neighbors garden. She was only meters from home but fear of the unfamiliar surroundings she found herself in meant she wouldn’t respond to my calls. I was advised to search with the torch and then I spotted the reflection of her eyes deep in a bush I had previously looked in. Without the torch I couldn’t spot her and even when I know she saw me back she was still to scared to move.

[justasking111]

Facebook local groups are useful we find

[coffeecupsandfairylights]

My indoor cat just went missing for five days and turned up in the neighbours shed around 10pm last night.

Cats are surprisingly resilient - I'm sure she'll be absolutely fine even though you're worried sick. I'd be glad she disappeared in the summer and not the winter, though, so at least it's not freezing cold at night - but saying that, another of mine went missing through the storms last year and she was fine too!

Post all over social media - local Facebook groups and all the "missing pets" groups you can think of. Try NextDoor too. I would also try spreading the contents of the vacuum cleaner on the grass and hanging up dirty clothes of yours on the line so she can smell her way home, as well as putting litter out - it really does help.

I got mine back by shaking dreamies and calling his name. I was actually about to give up for the night when I heard him squeaking in the shed - I called him again and he was too scared to come to me so DH had to go in and get him, but he's absolutely fine - he was just absolutely starving when he came in!

Good luck!

[Toddlerteaplease]

My indoor cat doesn't go far if she's got out. She's too scared. She hears me call but won't answer it respond.

[CatChant]

Did you ask the neighbours to check sheds, outhouses and garages? Two of mine have been terrors for getting themselves locked in.

I hope you have good news soon.

[DorritLittle]

Put hot tuna out at dusk and early morning. It made be hiding and that is when it will come out.

[coffeecupsandfairylights]

Oh, and the advice I had was not to leave any food out - or they'll just come out at night, eat the food and scarper. And I saw mine do just that, the little sod

Food needs to go inside so that when they come in to eat it, you can shut the door behind them and keep them in.

[MyFavouriteFurballIsMissing]

Thanks all, much appreciated. I'm literally doing everything. I even sat on the kerb in the street she was last seen in for 90 minutes at 12.30am last night hoping for a sighting. I'm exhausted. I can't stop crying.

[coffeecupsandfairylights]

It's positive that she's at least been sighted.

She'll come home eventually I'm sure ☺️

[MyFavouriteFurballIsMissing]

I've found and retrieved her and she's back home. Dirty, exhausted but very pleased to be back home!!

Thank you all

[DorritLittle]

So glad to hear it!!

[Beefilm]

What a lovely ending!

[Snozzlemaid]

Excellent news. I’m so pleased for you.
They really test our nerves at times, don’t they.

[Moonflower12]

I was just coming on to say that my friend's cat had been missing for 8 days and had returned at 1am demanding food, so there was hope.

I've just seen your update! Brilliant news. 😊😊

[cushioncovers]

That's fantastic news op. Where was she?

[MyFavouriteFurballIsMissing]

She was EXACTLY where she was spotted on Friday, between two sheds about 3 streets away. But given that she's not been further than the perimeter of the house before, that's like Australia to her!!

Have discovered a few nasty injuries I didn't see on first inspection and she's quite dehydrated, so emergency vets at 5pm.

But I'm just so so happy she's out of the blistering heat and home where she's loved and we can take care of her

[coffeecupsandfairylights]

Yay! I'm so glad you have her back.

At least she's home and in good hands now - I'm sure she'll be fine once the wounds are cleaned up and she's had a good meal in her! :)

[Wolfiefan]

So glad she’s back. Is she chipped and neutered?

[CatChant]

Lovely news.

[justasking111]

Wonderful news

[MyFavouriteFurballIsMissing]

@Wolfiefan

So glad she’s back. Is she chipped and neutered?

Yes - chipped, neutered and a collar with a name tag on too.

Back from vets - some nasty injuries including a burst abscess.

But all medicated up now so hopefully on the mend soon

[cushioncovers]

Ah so glad she's recovering and home op.

[Pudmyboy]

Oh what a relief! Poor puss!
From her injuries do you think she got into a fight which resulted in her running away to escape?
Here's to a speedy recovery to your cat and to you!💐

[blackgreywhite]

Bless her she's had quite the adventure!
So glad she's back home safe, it's horrible when they disappear, you can't help but imagine the worst.

Hope you've all had a good nights sleep!

[SummerNightsDriftingAway]

@Pudmyboy

Oh what a relief! Poor puss!
From her injuries do you think she got into a fight which resulted in her running away to escape?
Here's to a speedy recovery to your cat and to you!💐

No, still not sure why or how she left the garden...but her injuries were caused by a notoriously vicious cat from the street she was found in...I know she'd been attacked by it as the man who spotted her originally had gone out to shoo the nasty cat away as he'd heard a spat.