Urgent help needed! Likely reasons for missing cats?

I have been taking care of a stray kitten for almost it's whole life now, at without fail, he always shows up at least once. Without actually "owning" him, I have been as responsible as you can get, he has his own vet, his own bed and I feed him quality cat food. He's also been neutered at 6 months. Handled it like a champ. He's quite well adjusted, I can put him on his back, doesn't complain about shots or rectal temps, and I can check his teeth.

Back to what's important, I last saw him around midnight on 6/29. He sometimes sleeps in his bed for some of the night before taking off. He didn't show up for breakfast and hasn't showed up for dinner yet. I live in a fairly large street that surrounds some thick woods, about .25 sq mi. I've seen raccoons on numerous occasions. I've explored the woods following their trail, but it ends abruptly. I've gotten as far as about 150 feet but eventually the shrubs got too dense and no trail to follow.

So I have a few questions:

1. I know that raccoons can kill cats. I know it is hard to answer, but how likely are they to do it? I believe that they don't actively hunt and kill for cats specifically.

2. Likewise, a coyote was spotted recently. We live in a rural area but it surrounds a densely wooded area. I would think that the coyote would just be passing through. Given the success rates of wild animals hunting, surely the odds would be in my favor that he wasn't hunted?

3. Is there any other reason for stray cats to leave if they're happy and content? His mother disappeared about a week ago, and the father who is feral ( but is slowly warming up to us) shows up sporadically but I haven't seen him all day which is rare. Mom, dad and kitten have been fixed.

Given my questions above, I believe it unlikely that a wild animal got him and his mother and possibly the father all within one week. It's just too unlikely. Is my logic flawed?

That leaves people as the most likely culprit. I've circled the whole street, so no accidents with cars. I've been putting up lost and found posters, and given fliers to each of my neighbors, along with checking the SPCA lost and found almost daily. We have lost ads online and I've opened a can of wet food to hopefully attract him. I'm hoping that for whatever reason, someone is trapping them.

Thoughts? Ideas? Am I panicking? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi potatodood,

First of all, is he neutered? If he isn't and he's 6 months or older he'll start roaming further and further looking for girl cats and trying to expand his territory. If you get him back and you haven't had him neutered yet, do so. Male cats are more likely to get hit by cars, injured or possibly killed in cat fights, and infected with things like the feline AIDS virus, FIV, if they haven't been neutered.

Have you checked the woods for signs that he's been attacked by a predator? Large clumps of fur could indicate that he's been attacked by a raccoon or coyote. Clouds of loose fur could indicate that he's been in a fight with another cat, in which case he could be injured and hiding somewhere.

The sooner you start looking for him the better. There are some good ideas on here,

 http://www.thecatsite.com/t/248019/tips-for-finding-a-lost-cat

I hope you find him, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. 

Norachan said:

First of all, is he neutered?

Click to expand...

Yes, the cat was neutered at six months.

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Welcome, Potatodood !! Thank you for taking in this kitty and getting mom and dad neutered as well. GOOD JOB!!! I love to hear these things and wish everyone on the planet would be as responsible. :bigthumb:

I wonder if he ventures off with his mom/dad?? Even though they are all altered, they still may go on adventures. It really is not all that uncommon for outdoor cats to disappear for days at a time. Let's just hope that is all it is. I do know that raccoons have been known to "fight" with cats over food but usually cats and raccoons live harmoniously together and don't want to tangle. But, coyote, that is another story. They will hunt for cats. Most times, though, the feral/stray cats are too smart for the coyote, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Make sure to check out the link that Norachan posted above. Also, is there anyway to bring your kitty inside permanently? That is the only way to assure his safety from danger outdoors. All my best for him to return to you quickly.

Oh, that's right. I missed the bit where it said he'd had them all fixed. Well, that will make the search a bit easier then. 

Any sign of them yet?