Letting cat out after move - terrified of losing her

[Claire5417]

We moved house a couple of miles away 2.5 weeks ago. Cat is absolutely desperate to go out, she’s always been an indoor/outdoor cat with a cat flap to come and go as she pleases. I’ve moved a few times with cats, but not with her, so know about letting them out hungry and staying with them at first. The new area is quieter and safer and very near woods. Not too worried about traffic but I’m terrified of her wandering off and getting lost. I’ve been walking her around the garden on a harness for the last week, she’s been fine with that but keeps trying to jump fences. She’s spayed and microchipped and wearing a collar and tag with address and phone numbers. I’ve bought an air tag and have been meaning to try this out but have been so busy unpacking etc. I had planned to set it up tonight and put it on her tomorrow morning and let her out. Or is there another tracking system people would recommend? The other options seemed very bulky. I don’t mind what it costs within reason but don’t want her to have to wear a huge bulky collar. Thanks for any advice.

I'd say 2.5 weeks is too early.

When we adopted our 2 rescues, we met them indoors for a couple of weeks and then let them out. No problems. I think 2 weeks is the recommended time isn’t it?

*kept them indoors

I think we’ve waited a couple of weeks the times we’ve moved. Is she much of a wanderer generally?

Personally I’d let her out but still keep her in for extended periods overnight etc. for a while longer. Realistically I don’t think there’s much difference between 2.5 weeks and 4 weeks in terms of her understanding this is her new home.

My cat (who sadly is no longer with us) insisted on going out on the same day of us arriving at our destination. I was nervous, and hoped she'd stop miaowing to go outside. In the end (a few hours later), I caved in and let her out. She didn't go far to begin with, just stayed around the immediate vicinity and left her scent on a few things. As the time went on, she ventured further out. It amazed me how she just knew how to come back everytime, no matter where she was living at the time. Hope your cat enjoys her new surroundings :)

My first cat was a stray who 'chose me' and just moved in. When I moved a couple of streets away about 12 months later, I planned to keep him in for a few weeks. Unfortunately he had other ideas and demanded to be let out at 3.00 in the morning, the day after we moved in. Being too tired to argue I let him out. At 7.00 he had got onto the roof and was banging on our bedroom window to come in for breakfast.

I was most impressed that he'd worked out the external geography of the flat so well. He was a very streetwise & clever cat though. 😼

Far too early, at least a month, preferably six weeks. Does she have scratching posts and climbing tree indoors?

Yes she has both

Cute!