Missing!

My babysitter moved from her house about a month ago and left her cat outside since it didn't come back before she had to leave.
She hasn't tried to find it, but I have been going by every few days to look for it and try to bring it home.
At first I wasnt too concerned as the weather was still decent and it was an indoor/outdoor cat, but its been a little over a month now that the poor thing has been outside by itself. A few of the people in the neighbourhood have been looking, and it was last spotted yesterday. My problem is that every time I go to look, the cat is nowhere to be seen.
I need some help to find this poor guy. There is a major snow storm comming on Monday, and I am despretely trying to find him before then.
Any advice on what I should do??

Trapping her will prob be necessary. Especially if she isnt very people-friendly (many outside going cats are a little shy by their nature - which is good for them - not all people are nice). And if she doesnt know you very well she wont come to you just because you are calling on her.
They dont always come forward to the owner either, esp after beeng a whole month on their own.
So a human trap. Animal society, the towns animal control, or some rescue group in your neighborhood do have such a one to lend.

Good luck!

I wish I could, but the only way to get a trap around here is to buy one, and they are pretty pricey. One of my ferrets has to go to the vet next week, so I my budget will be a little stretched after that (especially if he needs lots of tests)
I talked to my sitter a few minutes ago, and I was wrong- I thought that she had never looked for it, but apparently she has found it twice and taken it back to her new house, only for it to escape the next day and go back (which is like 7 miles away!!) I'm not sure if shes telling the truth or not, I know she's not too fond of the cat. Is 7 miles a reasonable distance for a cat to travel to get back to their 'territory'????

Originally Posted by gothicangel69

I talked to my sitter a few minutes ago, and I was wrong- I thought that she had never looked for it, but apparently she has found it twice and taken it back to her new house, only for it to escape the next day and go back (which is like 7 miles away!!) I'm not sure if shes telling the truth or not, I know she's not too fond of the cat. Is 7 miles a reasonable distance for a cat to travel to get back to their 'territory'????

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Oh yes, 10 miles = 16 kilometres is not strange for a cat, especially if she is used to roam outside.

I have myself a friend who did moved. And her old cat escaped several times and went back. Only a couple of miles, not more, but in town milieu.
But after several times she now did accept this new place.

The only to do is to try again, and keep her at home till she does accept the new place as hers. In the bathroom or in a cage in the beginning, if necessary.
A Feliway diffuser may also help some.

It is of course not easy for the cats used to roam outside: it is not only the flat. It is also the territory. In the new territory they must fight for their rights with the residents there. But in the old place the fights are already done, and he is accepted in the herarchy there....

Poor guy, Im sending my vibes for him.

and a heart and vibes for you Gothic:

I FOUND HIM!!!!!
Just on a whim, I decided to take a quick swing by her old house on my way home, and he was laying in their driveway. Good thing I had a can of food in my car. Took a bit of a fight to get him in the car, but he's now safely in my bathroom.
He's a mess though. Completely full of matts and what look like some scabs and small cuts. I'm waiting for him to settle down some before I give him a thorough assessment.

So glad you found him. He does look a bit rough, poor guy. What is his name? Are you going to keep him or try to get him back to his former owner?

Not sure exactly what I'm going to do yet. He needs some major fixing up though before I decide anything, as I do have some thinking time.
He'll need to be de-flead and de-wormed, de-matted, a vet check, and possible neuter though.