My Kitty Got Out Last Night and Hasn't Come Home

momof3furbabies

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My 9 year old daughter left the door slightly ajar because she just doesn't look and our 9 month old Maine Coon got out. He's not fixed and he's tried to get out before but we've always stopped him. I didn't realize he was missing until this morning when my younger daughter told me my older daughter had left the door more open then when I had found it last night. It never occured to me anyone had gotten out. It's been 24 hours almost since he's been gone and it's cold and he has no food or water. I put out a can of tuna this morning and he hasn't touched it and I've been searching and asked everyone I've seen. I called my vet. My friend says he'll come back that he's just roaming but I'm so scared. What are the odds he'll be ok and come back safe and sound?
 

ritz

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I'm so sorry this happened.

I suggest keep on putting out food--the smellier the better like fish; old, dirty clothing that smells like you or whoever he is most bonded to. And even his litter box so he can smell his way home.  Go out at night with a flashlight and shine it around, especially behind and around bushes:  because of the way the cats eyes are made, the light will reflect off the cat's eyes.  Cats generally stay within 100 feet of their home base.

Cats will seek shelter, if they can fit their head into an opening, they can fit their entire body.  Yes he'll be cold, but probably won't die of it.

And, why wasn't your cat neutered--hormones being what they are, this increases the chances of the cat trying--and succeeding--in escaping, roaming further than 100 feet, looking for lovin.

Vibes and let us know how it turns out.
 
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momof3furbabies

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thank you. I will change his food immediately and leave out a blanket with my scent on it for him. He isn't nuetered because I was planning on using him for breeding. This has never happened before and I am honestly scared for my little guy. He loves my kids but is very bonded to me. I've searched everywhere and i keep looking outside and under cars. I've searched the bushes around here and no buzz:( I'm so worried he's so cold and  hungry. I just want him home.
 

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Hope you find him soon, has he matured yet? Though I don't find hormones matter much, none of my breeding cats are desperate to escape even when the girls are calling they don't go near the doors. And being cold where you are there's not likely to be any stray girl outside in heat, he simply saw an opportunity to get out and took it. 

Hopefully he's microchipped so if found and handed in you'll get him back. And your daughter will learn the important lesson of being extra careful when housing breeding cats. 
 
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momof3furbabies

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I believe he's matured but there's still no sign of him. If he's within 100 feet then where can he be and why isn't he returning? I'm so worried he's hurt or lost or worse.
 

smitten4kittens

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I really hope he comes back soon. My Dad used to catch cats and he said Fancy Feast classic Seafood Feast was the best bait (turquoise label). It has a really strong smell, lots of cats love it and I hope it might attract your kitty.

Since you are leaving food out anyway maybe you could try this one.

Good luck
 

ritz

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Where did he live before you adopted him?  There is a *remote* possibility he may try to return there.  To make a long story short:  I cat I removed from the colony I take care to be resocialized and co-fostered two miles from where I live, escaped; two weeks, two miles later, he made it back to my colony.  He had been at my friend's house for almost nine months before escaping.  (He was later retrapped and adopted out to a furever home.)

If there are any sheds, buildings, cubby holes, I'd look in them.

Keep on leaving food out.

You could try trapping him (humane trap).

If you could also install cameras to see if he is around.

I'd place food in different places, perhaps trailing back to your house.

Lots of vibes--your daughter must be frantic, too.
 
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momof3furbabies

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thanks. he still hasn't returned:( He's a purebred maine coon. We drove 3 hrs to get him when he was a baby. About 3.5 months. He'll be 1 in may. He's tried to get out before but we've always caught him or stopped him. I've driven around the neighborhoods here. No one has seen him. No one's responded to my craigslist post. Just where could he be hiding? He's so sweet and friendly but he must be so cold and scared:(
 

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don't forget to look up in the trees.

also neighbor's garages and sheds...
 
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determined

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- Make a simple flyer with picture description and PH# and put on all your neighbors houses and on the street. Do it soon, so people will know he belongs to someone.

- Go out and look for him, calling his name.

- Talk to your neighbors, especially the ones who feed cats outdoors

- Check places he could get locked into, like garages, sheds etc. mention that to neighbors.

- Put flyer up in your local grocery and pet shop, speak to managers first

Good luck!
 
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three cat night

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Don,t forget to check with your local shelters, someone may have turned him in. I would also recommend calling your local radio station and ask if they could mention your missing boy, they are pretty cool about helping their listeners out. Good luck, when you get him back take him in for a neutering appt. Keep us posted and I send my good vibes for a re- uniting .
 

ritz

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So sorry to hear he hasn't returned.

Also look at PetFinders and Craigs List for Found Cat.  And might check with other breeders in your area for hints, tips.
 

mrblanche

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thanks. he still hasn't returned:( He's a purebred maine coon. We drove 3 hrs to get him when he was a baby. About 3.5 months. He'll be 1 in may. He's tried to get out before but we've always caught him or stopped him. I've driven around the neighborhoods here. No one has seen him. No one's responded to my craigslist post. Just where could he be hiding? He's so sweet and friendly but he must be so cold and scared:(
Have you read the threads here about looking for an escaped cat?  There are lots of good suggestions.  Put his favorite food (and maybe even some that's not great quality, but very smelly) on the porch, with a T shirt his favorite person in the house has worn and not washed under the bowl.  Put a blanket or something like that on the porch.  Put a litter box with some of his own used litter in it on the porch.  Go around just after dark with a flashlight and shine it under all the cars in the area, in the bushes around houses, etc.  Put up a flyer, and include on it that he is under medication and needs the medication daily (no one wants to keep a sick kitty).
 

ktlynn

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Everyone replying has given you good tips.  Still, the best way to get him home is with a humane trap.   Please read through this website, www.catsinthebag.org     It 's free and has lots of great information as to how to search for your cat.

Most indoor-only cats who escape to the outdoors stay close to their homes.  The mystery is why they don't come to you when they hear you calling.  One theory is that they're somewhat disoriented by being outside and are just too scared to move around much.  Chances are you've walked past your kitten's hiding place during your search for him.

This is where the trap comes in.  The catsinthebag site will guide you as to where to place it and when to try trapping.

Mrblanche's suggestion about mentioning on flyers that your kitten is on daily meds is an excellent one in case someone has found him.   Make sure to post flyers at vet's offices, the library, the supermarket, etc., and the streets on either side of yours. 

Remember that cats are very intelligent and resourceful, even young ones like yours.  Being a Maine Coon, your kitten has a wonderful, thick coat which will keep him warm and comfortable.

He will probably hunt for his food, but as suggested by others, do keep out water and cat food for him at all times, in several locations around your house.

It may take some time to trap him (some cats take several weeks) .   But hopefully you'll trap him quickly.

Wishing you the best of luck in bringing him home soon.
 
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