Cat gone missing

We adopted a feral cat from outside about 3 years ago. For the last 2 yrs, she has lived inside with us and interacts with us daily.  Her name is Possum and she would always sleep on my husband at night in his recliner and she and I would play together.  She had a nice warm house with plenty of food and she felt safe and was the only pet.  This is as tame as we could get her. We could not pick her up.  Well about 3 weeks ago she got out of the house.  For the first few days she stayed around and one night while she was eating, my husband was able to grab her by the scruff of her neck and start ed to bring her inside.  She wiggled so badly that he dropped her.  Possum took off and has not been back since.  We live in the country and she has simply vanished.  My question is do you think she will come back? We have been leaving food outside, but so far nothing, nor have i seen her...  Its almost like she was traumatized so badly that she ran away from home.  My heart is breaking as we see other cats but not her...It is so cold outside and I fear the worst.

Oh boy......I can imagine how you must be feeling now, and your husband too

Unfortunately he already knows well how to catch mice for food, but what I do believe is that the memory/bad experience will fade and he will return.

That is unless there are coyotes and/or fox there.

If he does return you can bet he will keep his distance because of the scruffing thing.

What else could he do though?

When a cat is young they get held and adapt to that feeloing, but as in a feral cat turned semi tame, he has no clue and feels helpless for his safety to be held.

So granted he will not allow being picked up but it wouldn't make him stay away for good.

He bolted outside because he wants that freedom again.

I sure do hope he is neutered.

Thank you! Yes, she was fixed about 2 yrs ago... I believe there are coyotes and foxes, but there are also other houses here in which she could hide around.. I beieve there is a colony of cats too.. or so I've been told..

Glad to know she is fixed. Was I calling her him? Sorry.

A cat colony is good news for obvious reasons, however it can also work against her, in that the coyotes are aware of the cats and will go roam in their direction for food.

Fox will hunt cats as well, you wouldn't think so due to their smaller size, but they do, it packs. They work quite strategically at cornering or rounding up a cat.

Let's think more on a positive note though, that she wanted some freedom time, had a little traumatic memory but it won't stick.

I would not put food out for her though, if she comes for food/warmth or the safe feeling she had inside your home, you will know.

Leaving food won't really attract her so much as it will attract every other critter in the area! She knows there is food inside with you.

Thank you for your reply! I just hope she doesn't freeze to death or anything else..  I just have to hope for the best and hopefully she will turn up... If she does, I will let you know.. Keep your fingers crossed..

I will be hoping and fingers crossed!!  sending vibes

I am so sorry that Possum is missing.  She is probably scared right now and it may take her getting really hungry to make her way back to you.  I would suggest setting a humane trap with yummy stinky food inside and see if you can catch her.  You may catch another cat, but you can just release the cat.  I would look for her around sunrise and dusk as that is when cats come out from hiding.  You could also purchase a trail camera to watch for her at night to see if she is coming around.  That way you would know she is around and trapping might be easier. 

I hope she comes home soon.  Do not give up hope.  There are many of us missing cats.  One of my feral males was gone for 5 months one time and then 8 months this past time. 

My feral cat was gone for a month and I also live in the country. Used a humane trap for the first two weeks and caught a neighbors cat and a raccoon during that time. Gave up and even got a kitty from the shelter. But after a month the weather became horrid and I had a feeling my kitty just might still be near. Set the trap out again and behold- the first nite my little cat was in the trap. He was healthy and robust! Made me a believer in humane traps. They are very reasonable on Amazon and have already had someone ask to borrow. So it not only did it get my cat back, it's helping to bring another's home.

Really hope that your baby comes home.