I’m so upset - missing cat

[Ethellsmum]

We rescued a 7 year old cat a month ago. Last week he managed to escape out and hasnt been back since.
its 8 days now and im honestly so heartbroken. We got him as my daughter (asd) was desperate for a cat and she has bonded so much with him. I know she is missing him lots which is upsetting me more.

We’ve done all the recommended - leaflets, searched neighbours, SM posts, marked as missing with vets and microchip company, Hoover contents outside, blankets and our clothing etc left outside.

Hes been spotted in neighbours gardens a day or two after going missing and yesterday he was possibly spotted going towards a field near us.
Before coming to us he lived rural.

any words of wisdom? Anything I’ve not done?

it’s crazy how attached we all are to him after a few weeks. He is the most beautiful cat.

I'm so sorry, I had one that came back after 2 weeks! If he's been spotted you know he's not locked in a shed. Can you borrow a trap from the vet and bait it with food, leave in the neighbourhood garden where he was last seen, or even your own garden? Have you walked around calling and shaking treats?

He’s not been seen in any gardens for about 6 days now so not sure if he’s going back to those gardens. A lady from the local stray cat place is hopefully calling tomorrow and said we can borrow a trap.
Weve moved the ring doorbell and have it so we can see if he comes back overnight but so far we’re just getting neighbours cats walking through.
Ive been out loads shaking the treats - I’ve not had a good night sleep since he went as I’m out until midnight and then out early on. I’ve been round the block every hour or two today.
2 weeks gives me hope!

Have you contacted the rescue , they'll have heard it all before, cats can be little escape artists .
They might have some other tips for you but it sounds like you've covered them.

Hope he makes a quick return to you

It's a very hard waiting game, I'm afraid. I searched every day, multiple times, walked around with flyers so I could give one to people I saw. You just have to keep the cat fresh in people's minds, so new/updated posts on social media, make sure posters are all still up and you can see the pictures clearly.

They're scared, so even if you do see him you aren't likely to just be able to walk up to him. It was one of the most upsetting things when my cat eventually turned up at a house 1/2 a mile away only to run from me. I thought after 5.5 weeks she'd come running to me but I was so wrong!