Cat was afraid to go outside, but is now missing. Why would he go outside?

Thanks for your kind words and advice everyone.

What discourages me is that so many of these stories of cats coming back after being missing for so long involve outdoor cats. I feel like there isn't much data for cases like mine.

Logan is strictly indoor and would want to stay indoors if possible. It feels like my particular case is bizarre and haven't heard of others in my situation.

Most cases involve sentences like "My outdoor cat never came home when he usually does" or "My indoor cat escaped through an open window".

So what about the indoor cat who wouldn't even be trying to escape? How does this happen?

If he is linked to your family he will be trying to return to you. Again he's probably lost. I'd keep going around the neighborhood calling for him and ending up the calling from your home so he can hear where he is supposed to end up. I'd also put things that have your scent in the yard so he knows it is yours. Because he is an indoor cat he doesn't know what your yard smells like from the outside. I'd put things in the front and back yard.

It's ok but still don't worry my cat that was missing 2 weeks - the first one I mentioned had never been outside in his life and I thought for sure he died the first night out but amazingly he didn't here he is.

He was covered in ticks and super skinny, has been a bit skittish ever since. I wish I could come and help you.

All I can say is my cat ran out because something scared him when I opened the door and he took off out of fright. Maybe something fell or he saw a bug or something, it could be nay number of things that could make a cat run out when they don't normally do so.

When you were searching your house did you find any clues like something fallen over?

Any news on your baby?

I'm so curious what's going on, it's been awhile no update!

Please update us!

Update: Day 14 - No Sighting / Some calls.

Neon posters are up within a three block radius.

Had a few calls about black cat spottings in my area, but majority of them are quickly dismissed when Im told they are wearing a collar.

One call two days was very promising. A woman had found a black cat that looked about right, albeit a little smaller than Logan. I assumed he may look different as he's been outside in unfamiliar territory for nearly two weeks stressing and likely not eating. This cat was very close, but ultimately I knew it wasnt my Logan.

I ready a lot of stories about cats being missing for a month or two before returning. This kind of keeps me going. But Im worried about the upcoming change in weather. It wont be until the temperature drops. 

I doubt he can survive -30C (-22F) nights. 

The worst part is not knowing if he's even okay right now. Does he have the skills needed to survive on the streets? He's been an indoor cat all his life.

Thank you for update, I thought you found him and you're busy with him that's why you're not posting.

I don't know if he could survive the streets...hope others could tell you, my cat came back to me.

I hope you will find him soon.

He does you would be surprised they still have the instinct. I would just make sure you keep food out for him and lots of scent markers in your yard.

Hey if you have not found Logan yet, he may be ok with the weather change my co-workers cat who is 15 went missing for 17 days in -2 to -16 degree weather and she though he died because he is old and skinny to start with, amazingly on day 17 he ran up her driveway.

She has no idea where he could have been all that time and where he took shelter.

My indoor cat survived 15 days in the rainy season and had never been outdoors in his life.

Cats are very clever, he will find somewhere to take shelter if necessary.

Hey all,

I'm happy to say Logan is now back home safe and happy.

After seven whole weeks from the day he went missing we finally got a call from somebody two blocks away saying a black cat slipped into their garage when they opened it. 

It was Logan trying to escape the cold weather. In an ironic twist, the cold weather I was so worried about actually forced him to come out of hiding and ended up helping me.

We had a snow storm a few days ago. It's been an unusually warm fall for us, but this caused the temperature to to drop to -20C (-4F) for a while. This, combined with the winds and snowfall made me lose any sort of hope that I'd see him again. Yet somehow he managed to survive though that.

So after living on the streets for seven weeks with no experience how to do so, surviving harsh weather, and managing to avoid any sort of detection the entire time, he popped out of nowhere.

The real hero of the story? Fliers / posters. If not for these, the person who found Logan in their garage trying to get warm would have no idea to call me.

And thank you all for your support.

OMG that's amazing news!!!!!  Wooohooo

I am so happy for you and Logan, please give my love and big hugs!

I jsut found this thread, so all I can add is that, after I read every word, my feet are doing my happy dance around my computer chair.

I love these kinds of updates, I am so happy for you and Logan. Great of you to not give up on him.    

I am so happy for you!

What an amazing story. Post pics of you kitty when you can.

HUGS

Yes...please post pic of Logan, we would love to see, I am loving Logan already even I don't see the pic yet.

It would be wonderful to share us...please :-)

boy if he could talk I bet his stories would be amazing. A small thank you gift for the calls would be a cool thing to do.