Hi everyone,
My cat, Maya has been gone for almost 2 days now. She's an indoor/outdoor cat and likes to hunt and mingle with the other cats in the area. There are a lot of strays in my neighborhood and they often come into our backyard (as well as other people's leaving nearby). The people in my neighborhood are generally friendly to cats and some even leave food out by the side of the road.
That being said, my cat often goes outside but almost always returns home for the evening to sleep in my bed. She has gone missing before --once she was locked in a neighbor's shed and gone for 3 days, another time she was in a different neighbor's yard and gone for 2. So, it's not unusual for her to be away from home for a couple of nights.
However, this time feels different particularly due to her age and health. She is 12 now and has asthma and arthritis. Before she went missing, she wasn't exhibiting any symptoms of either --in fact, that afternoon she brought home a bird... Last I saw her she was sleeping in a cardboard box in my garage.
Since she disappeared, I have searched everywhere in my vicinity and asked around. She NEVER goes out into the street and if she had, my neighbor would have seen her (he typically sits outside for most of the day). I've put up posters, went to the nearest animal shelters and the vet's office. I have even put out some food and bedding for her.
I guess I am just really scared now. She's a tough cat, but not as tough as she used to be. Different people have been telling me different things. Some say she probably went away to die, others think she may just be hanging out with the stray cats (she seems to have a good relationship with a few, though she is spayed). I just don't know what to think and I would appreciate some advice and/or reassurance.
Thank you.
My cat, Maya has been gone for almost 2 days now. She's an indoor/outdoor cat and likes to hunt and mingle with the other cats in the area. There are a lot of strays in my neighborhood and they often come into our backyard (as well as other people's leaving nearby). The people in my neighborhood are generally friendly to cats and some even leave food out by the side of the road.
That being said, my cat often goes outside but almost always returns home for the evening to sleep in my bed. She has gone missing before --once she was locked in a neighbor's shed and gone for 3 days, another time she was in a different neighbor's yard and gone for 2. So, it's not unusual for her to be away from home for a couple of nights.
However, this time feels different particularly due to her age and health. She is 12 now and has asthma and arthritis. Before she went missing, she wasn't exhibiting any symptoms of either --in fact, that afternoon she brought home a bird... Last I saw her she was sleeping in a cardboard box in my garage.
Since she disappeared, I have searched everywhere in my vicinity and asked around. She NEVER goes out into the street and if she had, my neighbor would have seen her (he typically sits outside for most of the day). I've put up posters, went to the nearest animal shelters and the vet's office. I have even put out some food and bedding for her.
I guess I am just really scared now. She's a tough cat, but not as tough as she used to be. Different people have been telling me different things. Some say she probably went away to die, others think she may just be hanging out with the stray cats (she seems to have a good relationship with a few, though she is spayed). I just don't know what to think and I would appreciate some advice and/or reassurance.
Thank you.
