Please help! Tux ran away!

As you can see by the thread title, my baby's managed to get away from me. I live on the second floor of an apartment complex, and I had opened my bedroom window to let in some fresh air. Well, Tux managed to pop the screen free and he fell out of the window! I got changed and ran outside to see if I could still catch him, but he was nowhere to be found.

That was on Tuesday night (Jan. 1) and my boyfriend and I have since walked the entire complex several times a day calling his name and shaking his food bowl filled with his favorite kibble - no luck. I've been trying to locate a humane trap around here that I can rent, but no luck as of yet. I miss my furbaby so much!

Yes, he is collared and tagged, and I've contacted all the local shelters and Animal Control to let them know that he's missing. He was just neutered three weeks ago and I'll be calling the vet tomorrow to cancel his checkup visit, I guess. I'm putting up posters this weekend and knocking on my neighbors' doors to ask them to keep an eye out for him. Is there anything else I can do to try and get him back?

Thanks in advance!

I thought this might fall under behavior and you'll probably get more traffic and suggestions.

There are some websites that let people place "lost cat" ads. www.petfinder.org is one. Click on "classified ads". You can also search the "found" ads for your area to see if someone has taken your kitty in.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things--just keep at it. Keep calling the shelters--and don't give up hope. Another thing you can do is take your poster to the vets in your area for them to put up. Have the vets keep a lookout for your cat among their new patients, too.

Good luck.

Don't give up hope! Catarina found Opie after a few days and he had been badly hurt by a wild animal. Your efforts are all good. We will pray for little Tux to come home soon!
Deb

Elle,

My daughter's friend who lives on the third floor of an apartment building had a cat that popped the screen and fell 3 stories. They looked around and couldn't find him. One of the neighbors took him in and she didn't know. You might want to go door to door to see if someone has taken him in. I wish you luck. I know he'll turn up.

That's my one fear of opening my windows when it's warm out. I have screens that aren't too sturdy so what I do is put another expandable screen in that the window rests on for security purposes. So far (knock on wood) I've never had a problem.

Please keep us posted on Tux.

AAWww Elle, I am sorry about Tux, but don't give up! There have been many stories of cats that disapeared for a while and then just turned up at home. My husband, when he was a kid, his cat ran away for 3 weeks, and then just came home, la dee da as can be!

I will hold your Tux in my heart. Please keep us posted!

Also, alot of the the shelters are not much help over the phone, it's better to visit in person. Does your poster have a picture and are you offering a reward? I would offer a reward but not say what; people can be driven this way (just make the reward a $20 gift certificate for a restaurant or whatever you feel is appropriate).

Have you gone around the complex late at night? It's more quite at this time so you can hear things better like a cat walking under a bush or the clanging of a collar and tag? Hissy has recommended to others the "sweaty sweat-shirt" - work up a good sweat in a sweat shirt so that it's drenched in your sweat and then leave it outside on your patio or by the front door. This will put your scent in the air and hopefully lure Tux to the apartment.

Good luck, all three of my babies have gotten out at different appartment complexes I have lived at and I have all three to this day. It took two weeks to finally find one of them! Don't give up hope!

Awwww, I am so sorry he is missing. I know how upset you must be. I will pray for his safe return. Please let us know when you find him!

If Tux is an indoor only cat it's possible that he became very confused and frightened after he fell out of the window and is still traumatized. He may have gone into hiding somewhere close by. You might want to check bushes and hedges, look under dumpsters, mainly just check out places that a cat seeking safety and shelter might go to.

Another thing you might try is give a copy of Tux's picture to school age children in your area. Tell them what happened and ask them to help look for Tux. Don't give up and let us know what happens.

Good luck!

Get an old shirt really sweaty with your scent and hang it outside so Tux can catch the scent. Look for Tux in the wee hours of the morning, 3:00 a.m is usually best when the neighborhood is quiet and the kitty feels safe. Lay a trail of dry treats from your door a few safe feet away to bring Tux in.....good luck!

I'm so sorry about your little kitty! I hope you find him (or he finds you) soon.

I just wanted to stick my head in and say that Lorie's idea about getting kids to help might be a good one, but I would be careful if you don't know the neighborhood kids already. I've heard that often weirdos use "looking for a lost puppy/kitten, please help me" to lure children into being kidnapped. Wouldn't want people to think you were sketchy! Maybe you could approach parents instead and ask them to ask the kids to keep an eye out?

Hi
How is everything going, have you been able to find Tux????

My kitties and I will keep you in tux in our prayers. That is such a tough situation. I am confident that you will find your baby. Please keep us updated. Be sure to hang signs around your complex and the neighboring areas...

Hi, all! I wanted to update you on our little crisis here - a neighbor lady called my cell phone just as I was knocking around on doors Friday afternoon to tell me that she had found my little guy. Hurray! I immediately rushed over with his cat carrier, scooped him up as soon as I got through with the (very quick) pleasantries, and gave her the reward money I was offering.

Tux is fine, although ravenous (he probably figured out that birds are faster than they look from his second-story perch) and a bit skinny. He'll be going to the vet for a follow-up visit, since he got neutered in December and will probably need a good going-over after his great escape.

Thanks to all of you with your well wishes and advice. I'd strongly urge anyone who owns a cat, even indoor ones, to keep them constantly collared and tagged. There's no telling when our furbabies can sneak out on us and I fully believe that had I not had the collar/tag on Tux it would have taken me longer to locate him.

Again, thanks and God bless!

YIPPEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is such good news! Maybe you need to change his name to Huidini?

Seriously, I am so thankful that he is home with you.

I'm so glad you found Tux! You must've been so worried! Give him a big cuddle for me

YAY!!! I'm so glad to hear that your furbaby came home safe and sound.

This is fantastic, I'm so happy for you!

Elle!!

WOW!! How happy I am for you and little Tux!!!!!!!!!!!

WWhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
:blubturq:

Thanks! That is such great news. You gave me a great end to my day!