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The litter tray

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

Original poster

Missing cat - please share tips

23 replies

Gardenerboo · 09/12/2022 17:52

Our 18 month old ginger Tom has gone walkabout. It’s not massively unusual but he’s been gone for 3 days and nights now.

He’s a farm cat but it’s so cold lately 😔. Logically I know that there will be many places for him to shelter but I’m still so worried.

I’ve posted on FB and there has been a sighting about 3 miles away (with a photo so I know it’s him).

Is there anything else I can do other than be patient? This is horrible.

Many thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Gardenerboo · 09/12/2022 19:01

Hopeful bump.
Feeling sad.

OP posts:
Clarich007 · 09/12/2022 19:25

Sorry you are going through this Gardenerboo.
I regularly find myself in the same situation. My cat is a rescued street cat, and is constantly missing, so I am used to it, but it's so frustrating.
He's been out now or 12 days and nights now. Luckily he's only half a mile away. We have set up a Whatsapp group, so they let me know when he's about.
Is it possible for you to go to where he was and ask around?

Clarich007 · 09/12/2022 19:28

Is he chipped and neutered.
Fingers crossed he will be back soon

Original poster
Gardenerboo · 09/12/2022 19:30

Thank you @Clarich007 I feel so helpless.
I went to the last place that he was seen and left my number with nearby farms. Seemed so futile when the sighting was 2 days ago.

12 days, that’s tough. I’m sorry, I hope that he comes back soon.

OP posts:
Dreikanter · 09/12/2022 19:45

If he has a cat blanket then put it out on a washing line for him to pick up the scent.

Original poster
Gardenerboo · 09/12/2022 19:47

@Dreikanter I’ll do that now. I thought with it being so cold the scent might not be picked up but it’s definitely worth a try. Thank you.

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Original poster
Gardenerboo · 09/12/2022 19:48

@Clarich007 yes he’s chipped and neutered. His brother literally never leaves the garden. They are so different.

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sarahh96 · 09/12/2022 19:49

Been there a few times over the years, so worrying. The one thing that worked for me was to find a cat calling her kittens on you tube, then play it loudly outside. It worked every time for mine, hopefully it'll work for you. There is always the risk that every cat in a 5 mile radius will make a beeline for you, but hopefully yours will be one of them, best of luck

Original poster
Gardenerboo · 09/12/2022 19:55

@sarahh96 do you think it’d have the same affect on a male cat? Happy to try! Thanks

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sarahh96 · 09/12/2022 19:57

It seemed to. It did for ours. It's the one on you tube of the mum calling her kittens for food. X

Original poster
Gardenerboo · 09/12/2022 20:05

@sarahh96 I’ll do it! Thanks

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Original poster
Gardenerboo · 11/12/2022 19:11

He’s still not home and it’s so cold here (everywhere).

He’s a farm cat and we live rurally, although I’m sure he will be finding somewhere to shelter, Im worried sick.

I feel pathetic missing him so much. I’ve done everything suggested, posted on FB, rung all the vets in the area. I know I just need to sit tight but even just being at home without him is making me sad.

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Suedave · 14/12/2022 19:27

Hi Gardenerboo
Any updates on missing baby?
I do hope he's home...

Rowlingfan · 14/12/2022 19:30

If you have his litter tray, put it outside. They can scent it from some distance. Best of luck OP.

Original poster
Gardenerboo · 15/12/2022 03:07

@Suedave no, nothing 😔. I’m trying to remain hopeful but it’s been so cold.

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Original poster
Gardenerboo · 15/12/2022 03:09

@Rowlingfan I’ve hung his blanket over the washing line and put the litter tray outside. Do you think he’ll be able to smell it even in such low temperatures?

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Summer2424 · 15/12/2022 05:01

Hi, try putting a catnip toy in the garden and every so often get some keys and jangle them and call out your cats name. Our cat comes running at the sound of a bunch of keys.
Hope the above helps and your cat returns back soon x

Rowlingfan · 15/12/2022 06:33

I think you’re doing everything you can and it was a person who worked at a charity for homeless cats who told me cats can scent their litter trays from a long way. I’m keeping all fingers crossed for you and hoping that your boy makes his way home.

Original poster
Gardenerboo · 15/12/2022 07:15

@Rowlingfan @Summer2424 thank you both so much. That’s kind of you.

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Suedave · 15/12/2022 22:46

So sorry he's not back yet....its horrendous.
I too feel so guilty...
I too have lost my boy "Bailey"...
Last home Sunday 4th Dec...
he's a rescue and only had him a week...but formed a bond with him almost immediately..
Have done : informing vets, microchip updated,posters in all nearby shops,posted 200+ leaflets, up to a couple of nights ago,we were going out morning and evening looking,...have his details on Facebook pages,followed up leads...nothing.
It's like he's vanished into thin air 😔😔😔😔
I truly hope you have good news soon x

Original poster
Gardenerboo · 16/12/2022 07:03

We had a confirmed sighting of him visiting a house for food on Weds night and Thurs morning 7 miles away. I went over and called for him… Nothing.

Hoping he visits again today, the woman who’s house it is has out more food out and has a cat carrier ready. I’m so grateful for the kindness of strangers.

We are frustratingly close to finding him.

@Suedave I’m so sorry that you are going through this, it’s awful. I’m so distracted it’s all I can think about. I totally feel your pain. Good luck in finding your cat. Lx

OP posts:
SunThroughTheCloudsAt6am · 16/12/2022 07:17

When our boy went missing, rather than call out (I'd read they might be hiding), DS and I just went on a walk around our area at about 6am, talking to each other normally. About 200m up the road, I heard a meow which I instantly recognised, and after a bit of hunting, found him stranded up a tree in a garden with two dogs (who were asleep at the time, but the cat didn't know that)

We'd both walked up and down that road, even with his sister in a bagpack, calling for him for 2 days - it was only when we were just being normal that he presumably felt safe enough to call back (also maybe the time of day, it was very quiet at 6am)

Original poster
Gardenerboo · 16/12/2022 21:40

@SunThroughTheCloudsAt6am I can totally do this!

Thank you, something else to try.

I’m in bits over this! Totally unlike me. I’ve coped with a grandparent’s stroke and the family fall out and my Dad’s leukaemia diagnosis as if they are nothing. The cat has gone missing and it’s all I can think about.

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