Missing Foster Kittens

So, I'm in a huge bind.

I got home a short time ago to find that my 4 three month old foster kittens and my 2 five month old semi-ferals were missing. Apparently a door was left open or something while I was not home.

Long story short, the 4 little ones are county shelter foster kittens. If it is not bad enough that these poor little guys are missing and possibly out in the cold somewhere, the shelter was actually in the process of transferring them to a rescue group and wants them back.

I've been looking everywhere for them but they are super sweet and friendly, so I can't figure out why they would disappear like this (aside from my semi-ferals).

I'm putting out traps and will be knocking on doors as soon as I feel it is reasonable too. I'm doing my best not to panic right now but no one else seems to care in my house!

I'm worried about their safety but I have the additional worry of what kind of trouble I have just gotten myself into.

Any advice on how to find the little ones?

I've only hoped on here a brief second and then am going back to look some more. It's so cold out and I'm so worried!

Oh dear, all six of them have gone missing? Have you searched the house? Could they be hiding somewhere indoors?

How long have they been at your place? If they've been there for a few weeks they've probably started to think of it as home and won't have wandered far. At that age they'll probably be too nervous to venture that far from your house and have probably holed up somewhere close by, especially if the weather is bad.

Traps and some smelly fish is a good idea, I think.

After you check your house thoroughly and make sure they are not in closets, under beds or sofa's I would call the shelter and ask for their help. If you have eagles or hawks in your area you should be very concerned. My new kitten ran out the door yesterday when my hubby was bring in groceries and she got hit in the face with the wind and ran right back in the house. Today in the northeast, Philly, it's 5 degrees out with a -10 wind chill not good for human or animal to be outside. Then I would start questioning everyone in the house, especially whoever it was that left the door open. See how long that door has been open, if all day n night it could be a problem. But call the shelter they may be able to assist with some suggestions.

blackcat416 said:

After you check your house thoroughly and make sure they are not in closets, under beds or sofa's I would call the shelter and ask for their help. 

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This.  I know you list as a concern that you might be in trouble with them, and honestly you may be but the longer you let it go on without notifying them the worse it will be and the less they will be able to do to help you.  They may be able to mobilize volunteers to help (the one I foster for does this when an animal who has been adopted from them goes missing) and may be able to provide you with traps and tips. 

Definitely leave food out, smelly food if possible.

Good luck.

Have you tried knocking on doors, putting up fliers or even contacting your local news.  I would also contact the rescue group for help and guidance.  I hope you find them soon and they are all safe and sound.

Please update when you get  a chance.

Any sign of them yet?

Sending lots of vibes your way, I hope all the little ones make it home again.

Sorry for the long wait. Been pretty occupied and just left the computer up and running all day. I did hop on here for a bit to read the suggestions and try them out.

Did thoroughly look through the house and the garage. Since no one saw them get out and i wasn't home, our best theory is that the laundry room door was left open (where they were staying to keep them away from the other cats and the little ones were helping to socialize the semi-ferals). Unfortunately the laundry room is attached to the garage which happens to be occasionally left opened. Normally no one is supposed to go through that door.

All of them have been with me for at least 2 months but we are visiting a relative for the holiday (another reason my fosters were being kept separate from the resident cats).

I notified one person all ready (a rescue person who helped arrange transport to the new rescue group) but don't know if she notified the shelter. I'm about to send that dreaded email. They can't do much to help as I am out of town but will ask anyway.

I've done rescue for a long time and have never had this happen before and at such a crucial time (It kind of makes me look suspicious as the shelter already knows I was not happy about their recent stunt). But I would like nothing more than to get them into a rescue (and get the shelter off my back) but now I haven't a clue what to do and since I hand raised these guys, I am quite attached and worried to death for them.

We do live by woods with hawks and the like but I haven't seen any lately and doubt one could have gotten all of them. I also have serious doubts that they would wander off so far. I have a sinking suspicion someone saw them and snatched them up. I asked around though and everyone claims to have not seen a thing though.

My next step is a CL ad, notify the local shelter and keep looking. I have my baited traps. Keep your fingers crossed. I'm still worried to death but I'm a bit more angry at this point that it even happened.

Me and my kitties are send you a real big "Good Luck" for a swift and safe return.

Good luck! So sorry this has happened.

So I have good news. I caught one of the semi-ferals in the trap. She is the sweeter of the two of them and I saw her brother nearby (he quickly hid in bushes next door though). I didn't approach him because I didn't want to chase him closer to the woods. I'll reset the trap as the other one may be too small for him (but perfect for the little ones). No sign of the little ones though so I have mixed feelings (beginning to feel like they are long gone because they follow the older two everywhere and I didn't see one sign of them). I'm going to crack open the garage again to see if I might coax anyone in.

You would think I would be relieved but I'm feeling rather sick to my stomach. Also sent the email to the shelter (main line of communication and fastest) and am feeling quite sick over that.

Thanks for the good luck wishes.

This is wonderful S, it's a start in the right direction.

Yea!  Glad you have one.  Hopefully you will find more in the morning.  Keep us posted.

Can you get some bigger traps from places like the SPCA?  Around here they ask a $50 deposit, but return the entire deposit when you return the trap.

Also, do you cover the traps with sheets or towels so the entire trap except the entrance is covered?  If you don't, that might help.

Traps is probably the best way to go.

Sorry for the wait our internet has been sporadic. I keep getting booted off!

In any case, I've got my two semi-ferals but I think the little ones were taken by a neighbor. I am suspicious of one in particular but I can't prove anything. Not really sure what to do about that.

Gonna keep this short as I don't want to be booted off my connection mid posting.

I'd tell the rescue center about your suspicions. Maybe they'd have advice. 

Good even more progress.