Distraught - my cat has been missing for almost 2 weeks.

Well, I guess I could get a camera thing going, but it would take ages to get one, set it up.. and although it takes a picture, by the time we get there she'll be off again.  From what this man says, she seems to have established a routine of sorts, and comes to his house via the same route.  He's seen her several times which means she's using him as a food source.  Having put my scent and the food she knows and loves AND her own stuff right on his doorstep, I'm hoping it will encourage her to hang around.  She gets regular food from him, albeit scraps, so with me giving him a good quality meat meal, she should be encouraged to come more often... thank you for your support.  I'm so tired!!!

Not sure how close you are to big box stores, but most hunting/sporting goods stores will see these.  I bought mine off Amazon and had the camera the next day by choosing next day delivery.  I am not sure what your options are in France.

I would definitely go and sit in this mans yard around the time he normally sees your cat. 

Yes, we are going to do that.  My husband has just gone to do a reccy around the area and tomorrow I will be there for the whole of the morning.  The man who lives there is going out and has said it's ok for me to go and sit.  I'll get there early and stay for as long as I need to.  It bothers me that she must be able to hear me, but doesn't come.  I was so optimistic that she goes there regularly, and so can't be too far away, and goes there to eat but she didn't come when I called her.  I thought she'd hear me and come running, but nothing.  She loved us and her new little life.  I can only imagine she is far away during the day, and staying out of this interminable heat. 

Good luck I'm hoping she comes to you and that you're reunited best wishes

Been following and sending prayers. Oh please let this be it! She needs to come home!

I so hope she comes home to you! Have been following this and thinking of you, hopefully soon you'll have her in your arms again.[emoji]10084[/emoji]️

Happy to hear that Rubis has been seen , and not too far away!  I'm not surprised that she doesn't come to you when you call--it is my understanding that cats that are lost often don't respond to their name because they fear that will give their location away to a predator. But, since she has now found a food source (thank God) you can be sure she will return to this location.  I pray that you have her back home very, very soon.  

P.S. - You may have to resort to using a humane trap to catch her since she is so fearful now--many lost cats have to be caught this way.  If that becomes necessary, and you don't have a humane trap, look for a  feral cat rescue group in your area--they may be willing to either help you trap her or loan you a trap and provide you with all the information you need to be successful.  

Thanks to all for the support and good wishes.  Got another phone call last night from a woman who had trapped a cat in her garage and rang us straight away... we arranged a meeting point and she drove to her garage where her husband opened the doors with a cat in his arms... VERY like Rubis, but a boy... a big disappointment, but so uplifting in many ways because these people put themselves out to let us know and drove out of their way to meet us to take us to their garage.  The kind wishes and effort of so many people is heartening if nothing else.  Puts a bit more faith in the human race.

So I decided last night to go back to where she is supposed to be hanging around.  This was 10pm and so I drove very quietly in the 'lottisement' where a few houses are situated.  I have to be careful because loitering around a small country estate is asking for trouble, and the last thing I want is to be carted off by Les Gendarmes!  So I parked up near the man's house and gently shook a treat bag and called her name quietly...I did this for about 10 minutes then I heard a small sound.  I looked round and saw a little ginger face.  My heart literally stopped.  I slowly walked towards it gently saying her name, but it ran away.  I stayed there trying to encourage it back, but it wouldn't come again.  I decided to leave it.  It was a funny feelilng, to be honest, because I thought, if that's Rubis, why didn't she come running up to me?  Why run away?  We adore her and gave her all the love and care and affection any living creature would want... and she was very happy in our home.  So this was odd and very upsetting.  As I drove home I thought   "...you know what?, if she doesn't recognise me because it's been so long, and seems to be getting food here, the man seems a good man - should I let her go?..."   I got home feeling actually ok about it because she was clearly well, and seemed to have adopted a different way of life. If she was happy and well - then that's all I can ask if I can't get her home.  I actually felt a bit relieved.

But when I woke up at 6.30 this morning, that 'maternal instinct' was pulling away at me again and I decided to drive over there and try again.  You see a lot more cat life late and night and first thing in the morning - between times it's roasting hot here so everything stays out of the heat.  I went back, did the same thing... and saw a ginger cat - which wasn't her!  As soon as I got home, my phone rang and it was the man who said she was there... I knew it wasn't her and as he looked more closely he confirmed it wasn't.

He's going out this morning and has agreed for us to go and hang around to find her if we can.  My husband is taking some flyers to post in local boxes...

...and so the saga goes on. 

Would the man feeding her be willing to put food in a trap or let you come and do it? Sometimes a trap is the only way to catch a stray.

Feeling with you and all but in tears here in Ireland. One of my cats went missing some weeks ago. She had occasionally been absent a couple of days and once five days. At that time i was nursing my dying collie so not as with it as I should have been. That time when after five days she came back she was over the moon to be with me and although hungry, not thin or starving and we think someone maybe in a holiday let or second home may have been or may be feeding her. It is isolated here and I am disabled. I have posters up etc. I have dear friends who are sure she is not dead and hoping that when the holiday season ends ... one thing for sure she is NEVER going through that door again... keep hoping for me as I w ill for you. She was the cat of my heart..

I guess so, I could ask a trapper for a humane trap.  I'll think on with that.  Thanks.

Doodiebird said:

I guess so, I could ask a trapper for a humane trap.  I'll think on with that.  Thanks.

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You may be able to borrow or rent one from a shelter, rescue group, etc..

Hi doodiebird

Did you ever get your cat back? I have been reading your thread as my cat went missing two weeks ago after we moved house (2 miles from previous address). I am devastated and am looking for some hope. I really hope you got her back.

You probably know to keep an eye on the old place. When relocating cats, it is best to keep them contained for a few weeks, to adjust. Otherwise they will try to go "home". I hope everyone finds their babies.

LookingforAmber said:

Hi doodiebird

Did you ever get your cat back? I have been reading your thread as my cat went missing two weeks ago after we moved house (2 miles from previous address). I am devastated and am looking for some hope. I really hope you got her back.

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She got out after 36 hours and I didn't have any litter to place outside as she had been holding it in he whole time and not eating or drinking. She was relaxed in the house before she got out and didn't run once she did. She was in the garden exploring and with her toilet habits on hold, I thought it'd be in her best interests to let her relieve herself while she was out there. I have a lot of regrets and wish I had kept a closer eye on her and tried harder to get her back in. Her sister went out not long after and she is fine and has definitely established her new territory. I am hoping that my missing cat picks up her sisters scent. They are 3 years old so have been together long enough to know each other's smell and hopefully not forget.
I'm torturing myself about what I could've done differently and where she could be now.
The old neighbours are looking out for her. Luckily they are cat lovers and used to feed her for me when on holiday.

LookingforAmber said:

She got out after 36 hours and I didn't have any litter to place outside as she had been holding it in he whole time and not eating or drinking. She was relaxed in the house before she got out and didn't run once she did. She was in the garden exploring and with her toilet habits on hold, I thought it'd be in her best interests to let her relieve herself while she was out there. I have a lot of regrets and wish I had kept a closer eye on her and tried harder to get her back in. Her sister went out not long after and she is fine and has definitely established her new territory. I am hoping that my missing cat picks up her sisters scent. They are 3 years old so have been together long enough to know each other's smell and hopefully not forget.
I'm torturing myself about what I could've done differently and where she could be now.
The old neighbours are looking out for her. Luckily they are cat lovers and used to feed her for me when on holiday.

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That is just so awful. She seemed fine, so you should have been able to trust her to stay put. So great your old neighbors are helping. Well, I guess all you can do is all the normal stuff; posters in stores, vet clinics, etc., checking in daily with animal control and any and all rescues, etc. Good luck, I hope you find your girl soon.

Did you find your cat in the end? Want to know as one of our cats has been missing for 2 weeks now and we're very worried about him. It would be great if it was a happy ending for you and Rubis

Yes OP, you're very persistent and I appreciated reading all these lovely posts. My cat has been missing for a little over a week and I'm devastated. Did anyone else (including OP) find their kitty yet?

We are going through the same thing with a missing cat. We have done all the things including hiring Pet Detective. It is has been devastating.