Please I love her so much I could just die. 2 year old, skinny, gray fluffy cat. She escaped 2 weeks ago and I haven't seen any sign of her. I am a horrible owner, I did not get her fixed yet and I am sure that is why she went so far away, but after a day or two I am now loosing my mind. Once before she was gone for 4 days, it was less than 20 degrees out every night, and I had all but given up and had a mental breakdown assuming the worst, but she showed up! I sobbed all night at finding a cat I assumed I lost. She had apparently started her heat cycle either the day she got out or while she was out, because she came back obviously in heat. I sometimes let her out in the backyard because when I rescued her she was an out-door kitten, but she normally never goes far and comes back in an hour or two. So she does know the area somewhat. Not as though she lives out there, but she knows where her home is. I made the horrible mistake of letting her out while she was in heat, and now she is gone. I know they leave for long periods to find a mate, but her heat cycle should be over by now, and still no sign.
the first time I caught her was because I read a lot online about making your cat smell appealing; I left out like 10 cans of cat food and tuna, her kitty litter box, etc, and I found her one night at 3am snacking on the food in my driveway. But now I check every night and call obsessively (for which she usually would meow back) and nothing. A neighbor cat has been sneaking the food I have been leaving out for her, along with some possums. I thought she would just come back like last time, but now 2 weeks has gone by and I am sooooo worried.
I have sprinkled her dirty kitty litter all along my street, her kitty litter box is out, along with dirty towels she pooped on at one point. I even put my urine around my street for my scent. I call for her constantly, at least every hour, from around 5pm until about 3-4 am (I'm surprised my neighbors haven't complained yet), and I leave food for her every day, several cans of the smelliest cat food I can find, tuna cans, even a raw fish. I also jingle her favorite bell toys which she usually finds irresistible. I have wandered the neighborhood, but I read they will not come even to their owner if they do not feel safe, so I don't know if I should keep wandering around calling.
My fear is that she went too far, and can not find her way back, fell down a storm drain, or is stuck somewhere. Or of course the worst case scenario which I avoid thinking about for my own sanity. I hate myself for being so irresponsible. I had the chance to bring her back in that day, but it was a nice day and she seemed happy out there... I made a horrible mistake that she is now suffering for. My sweet innocent baby doesn't deserve to be alone and hungry because of my own stupidity.
Please, is there anything else I can do? I put up fliers last time, but I don't think she is the kind of cat to go up to strangers, she is the sweetest cat alive but is a bit timid. Not terrified but timid. She always comes to me though when she hears me calling, even meows back. She is not micro-chipped but has a collar with reflective material and my number on it, no calls. I stopped by the local animal shelter and no luck.
Is it normal for them to be gone so long when they are in heat? Do they just find a mate and hang out with them for a while? I don't think there are any stray cats in or near my neighborhood. I know she isn't near enough to smell the food because she must be starving, and I'm sure only the other cat has been eating it. But maybe she is eating the neighbor cat's food, as there are 2 that I see regularly around the neighborhood (both have collars so I assume they are just out-door cats).
Should I keep pacing the neighborhood at night calling for her? Would she even come to that? Should I spread her litter out more? Oh god what do I do I am going mad. There has been 2 thunderstorms sense she has been gone and she was out there in them....
Please any hope or advice would help me. I am in agony. I know they can be gone for a while in heat, but it has been 2 weeks now...
the first time I caught her was because I read a lot online about making your cat smell appealing; I left out like 10 cans of cat food and tuna, her kitty litter box, etc, and I found her one night at 3am snacking on the food in my driveway. But now I check every night and call obsessively (for which she usually would meow back) and nothing. A neighbor cat has been sneaking the food I have been leaving out for her, along with some possums. I thought she would just come back like last time, but now 2 weeks has gone by and I am sooooo worried.
I have sprinkled her dirty kitty litter all along my street, her kitty litter box is out, along with dirty towels she pooped on at one point. I even put my urine around my street for my scent. I call for her constantly, at least every hour, from around 5pm until about 3-4 am (I'm surprised my neighbors haven't complained yet), and I leave food for her every day, several cans of the smelliest cat food I can find, tuna cans, even a raw fish. I also jingle her favorite bell toys which she usually finds irresistible. I have wandered the neighborhood, but I read they will not come even to their owner if they do not feel safe, so I don't know if I should keep wandering around calling.
My fear is that she went too far, and can not find her way back, fell down a storm drain, or is stuck somewhere. Or of course the worst case scenario which I avoid thinking about for my own sanity. I hate myself for being so irresponsible. I had the chance to bring her back in that day, but it was a nice day and she seemed happy out there... I made a horrible mistake that she is now suffering for. My sweet innocent baby doesn't deserve to be alone and hungry because of my own stupidity.
Please, is there anything else I can do? I put up fliers last time, but I don't think she is the kind of cat to go up to strangers, she is the sweetest cat alive but is a bit timid. Not terrified but timid. She always comes to me though when she hears me calling, even meows back. She is not micro-chipped but has a collar with reflective material and my number on it, no calls. I stopped by the local animal shelter and no luck.
Is it normal for them to be gone so long when they are in heat? Do they just find a mate and hang out with them for a while? I don't think there are any stray cats in or near my neighborhood. I know she isn't near enough to smell the food because she must be starving, and I'm sure only the other cat has been eating it. But maybe she is eating the neighbor cat's food, as there are 2 that I see regularly around the neighborhood (both have collars so I assume they are just out-door cats).
Should I keep pacing the neighborhood at night calling for her? Would she even come to that? Should I spread her litter out more? Oh god what do I do I am going mad. There has been 2 thunderstorms sense she has been gone and she was out there in them....
Please any hope or advice would help me. I am in agony. I know they can be gone for a while in heat, but it has been 2 weeks now...