Missing cat. Can anyone help? I don't understand.

Hello. I'm new here. I've been reading everything I can to see what I can do. Over the years if I saw a stray cat or dog I would try my best to help. There are a few strays around here and I put food out to feed them. Now I hope this isn't too long but it probably will be and the reason I mention everything I do is because it kind of goes together. About 2 or 3years ago maybe there was one cat that looked pretty young so me and my mom would feed her and try to take her inside. She wanted no part of it. We put a box outside on our porch and cushioned it so she had some place to stay. It's one of those tupperware storage bins. She would stay in it most of the time. She would come and go. She stayed here all winter too. She would come in for not even minutes but want to leave. Like I said wanted no part of inside. Meanwhile there are other stray cats around. I even took one in before that belonged to a neighbor that didn't care. Why I say he didn't care is because he saw his cat in my yard and the only thing he said was "there he is". "He doesn't want to stay inside". "I have 4 cats and 2 dogs". So his cat would come here almost everyday. He wanted to come in so we let him. The guy moved a while after and not once before he moved or after when i saw him did he ask me about the cat. We have him since. He still wants to go out and we let him. He mostly stays in the yard but sometimes leaves but he always comes back. He doesn't go past a few houses. If we don't let him out he cries but sometimes gets over it.

One day a cat comes in our yard and was eating. He would come once in a while. Me and my mom went around the block and would see him in the guys yard that the cat we took in came from. So I'm guessing it was one of his and maybe the 2 can be related..i strongly think that. He would be the only one to tell me. Anyway he started coming here everyday. He got used to me and became very friendly with me. He started staying here everyday and took over the box we put out there for the other one-the girl. By that time she didn't stay as much. But we put another box outside for her. Turns out she belonged to the people few houses down. We know that because we called the cops thinking they were trying to hurt her but they had papers for her. I don't know but to this day she's still outside-almost everyday she's here she was even here today.

Anyway back to the one that came everyday and took over the box. He becamey buddy very quickly. He even wanted to come in so we let him in. I live with my family cause they aren't very good health wise especially my grandmother. My uncle even wanted him to come in. He would stay for a while then wanted to leave. So we kept doing that until he got used to the house. I already have 1 dog and 1 cat since he was a kitten and is around 10 now. Plus the one i took in a while before that might be related to him and i think that came from the same guy. He never wanted to stay longer than maybe 2 hours. He would come in eat,sleep, play a little then want to leave. I even put cat litter by the back door for him but he never used it. I guess because the guy let him out so much he got used to using the bathroom outside. He only used the litter box upstairs once. I would put him in it but nothing.

So i took care of him for a year inside and outside but the last year he was inside more than before. He would stay on my porch, lay inside the box, on top of the box, on the chair that i put shirts for cushion, or just on the porch or in the grass and sometimes in a little bush we have. He was here every single day, just about all day. He would leave the yard for a while but always come back. 2 years in total, like I said this past year more inside than before. He came inside everyday. I tried to keep him inside but he always wanted to go outside to use the bathroom. If I didn't let him outside he wouldnt go in the litter box he would go on the floor. I don't like telling people that but that's the reason why he wanted to go out. Like i said before he only used the box once. My cat wasn't used to him at first and he would stare at him. The dog and the cat i took in..not a problem at all. He didn't have a problem with any of them. When he comes in, he lays on the chair next to me, or on the floor next to the chair i sit in. He would sleep there or even sleep on all 4 chairs in the kitchen(they're a little cushioned). He would even just lay on the floor curled up. He wasnt sure about upstairs even though he went there a few times he would stay downstairs. We got a new microwave and the Styrofoam that comes around it was on the floor and he layed on it and kind of made it his bed. It was so cute. He's a big cat. So i figured i would leave that on the floor for him in the kitchen under the table. That kinda became his bed. Other than laying on chairs and floor. I tried to keep him in all day but like i said he never wanted to stay in. But he came in everyday for a while basically in and out everyday. Him and the one i took in would even sit and lay on the porch together. One on top of each box. He even layed on an recycling bin that we have an awning folded on..he made that his bed too. The porch became his i guess. Other cats would come and eat-the ones that have been around for the same amount of time plus the girl that belongs to those people(they got used to each other and would eat together outside). They never bothered each other. New strays came and went for a while. Never bothered. There's only one he would have a litle problem with that i would have to watch them so they didnt fight. Everytime I was outside in the back he was with me-always. I cut the grass-he's with me laying there, rolling around in the grass, laying on the porch, I take the garbage out-he follows from back yard to front then back to the back yard. I loved it and thought it was so cute. All day/all night he was in and out. I always let him in when he wanted to come in. Sometimes I would try to get him in but he wouldn't come in. Of course he was in more in the winter than summer. Sometimes he wouldn'tcome in. Maybe cause he was so used to being outside. Other times he ran inside as soo. As I opened the door. At night i would look out and he would be laying on the box and its like he knew i was looking cause his head went up, gives me the cutest look and meows, and i unlock the door to open and he's already sitting there and runs in. He did that alot. Sometimes would even scratch on the door. Sometimes I'mnot sure where he would be outside of my yard but as soon as i come outside to let the dog out, or even my uncle or my mom-he comes popping up. He knows the sound of the dog leash, the food bowl and even our voices. Another thing that he knew while being in the housr was the sound of cans, and the can opener, and that when you open the refrigerator he knows there are goodies in there. I gave him treats..like little pieces of chicken. Also when i pick him up to hold him he lays flat on my chest/stomach with his arms on each side of my neck. Like a hug. I love it.

Now, the day he went missing. It was a bad day. I was up all night taking care of my grandmother and went to sleep in the morning. By that time he was sleeping in the box outside. I didn't see him sooner to let him inside. I sae him earlier that night in the yard. By the time i went to look and unlock the door he wasn't there. I figured he would come back. But he didn't til a little later. So i went to sleep, my mom got up tokd her he's in the box sleeping. Later on she wakes me up saying my grandmother had to go to the hospital because she wasn't good. I got up made a cup of tea. I looked out like i didbevery single day at all hours to check on him to let him inside. He was sleeping in the box. It was like 930pm on a friday night and with the ambulance on its way and me having to focus on my grandmother and what they were doing to her (she is bed ridden and needed oxygen that night and that's what they were doing before they had to take her) i had to write down her medication and i couldnt let him in. I thought when all this excitement dies down and my grandmother is taken i will let him in. Well i went outside in the front and the neighbor wanted to know what was going on and i was telling her. By the time i got back inside it was 1130pm. 2 hours. Time just flew by with what was going on. I came in and the first thing i did was look outside to let him in. I didn't see him in the box. So i went outside and called him. Nothing. Thought maybe he took his normal walk. 12am tried again. Nothing. Tried at 1am. Nothing. All night i kept looking out and nothing. My mom was at the hospital with my grandmother. I was here with my uncle. Wasn't sure what was happening with my grandmother. All we knew was it wasn't good. So i was up all night tired, and worried. I was worried about my grandmother and my cat. But didn't think it was that serious with my cat cause he goes for little walks. Morning i was still awake waiting to hear about my grandmother..no word about her or my cat. My mom came home, they gave ny grandma medication and doing what they can. My uncle went out walking to the store and looked/called for my cat. Nothing. Then he went to dialysis then to the hospital to visit my grandmother. So fast forward a little. My grandma was getting better a little at a time..but still no kitty. i was running on little to no sleep and would try to nap but between the 2 i slept on and off. While i slept my mom went around the block that weekend. And so did my uncle..calling him/looking-nothing. Monday..me and my mom went around the alley (we have alleys between the blocks) calling him-looking-nothing. We went around a block my uncle didn't go through..nothing.
The way the area is there are blocks but in between there are alleys..kind-of like you can go in and out the back of your house and it's either fenced in like mine with grass or no just cement and people have little driveways or more like a parking space..cause it's not that big. So from my back yard there's the alley then the other neighbors back yard. I keep calling him from my gate-nothing. My uncle walks to the stores-nothing. My grandma was in the hospital for 2 weeks so i couldn't do as much looking as I would've liked and wanted to. And i only have my mom and uncle to help me and they aren't in the best health either. But we were at the hospital and then went looking for my cat when we could. My uncle did more than me..for me when I couldn't. We did go through the alleys around here amd even the blocks. But there's no place for a cat to hide in the front of these houses. I do have one kind of friend neighbor..sent him a picture cause he has camera infront and back but hasnt seen my cat..just the usual ones around. When my uncle went looking he asked around and described him..there's no cat around here that looks like him. But no luck. I showed a few people in the back alley here a picture but no luck. The one neighbor her and her 2 sons know my cat from being with me here but haven't seen it. Everyone that's outside that we ask and describe or show a picture to around here hasn't seen him. Just the usual. There's still other people i can ask in the back alley from the block over. But they aren't out. The other two neighbors on the one side know my cat amd like him the way he looks but haven't seen him. The one neighbors son(he likes how my cat looks lol) and his girlfriend are looking out for him everytime they go out-they have a cat and a dog. I tell them even if you took him in it wouls be better cause atleast i know.

I know when he left that night it was the back cause i was in the front with the ambulance and neighbor. He didn't come to the front. But one of the usual cats came running out of the alley in between the house(i live in a row house-there are little walk ways in between)but i didn't think anything of it. I figured he got scared by the kids next door. And figured by cat was ok in the box. He knows the neighbors next door and the kids but never goes near them. We don't have a fence to seperate the yards with those neighbors (we are the only ones that dont have a fence).but the back is fenced in.he never goes next door. The only way he leaves the yard is squeezing through the gate or jumping over. Our gate is even locked-ours and the neighbors so noone can get in. He avoids the people next door when he's outside. I keep an eye out. But i feel so bad like it's my fault because I didn't let him in when I woke up or didn't check to see if he was there when the other cat(one of the usuals)ran out cause i figured he was fine and safe in the box like always when he's outside..with my grandmother being taken to the hospital I wasn't thinking straight. Like i said before there are a few ususals that come around and he doesnt have a problem with them..only one and that's the one that ran out but i know that wasn't the problem. Cause it's been 2 years and this never happened. There has been a new ish cat coming maybe 2 weeks before my cat disappeared but my cat was still here. One time when that cat got close enough to me on the porch and was ok with me- it was him, my cat, and the girl cat all together on the porch waiting for food. But usually i let mine in and feed the others outside. He's a calm cool cat to me and my family but doesn't go near kids or people. I think he's a very aware cat. I miss him so much. And i think it's my fault. My mom said earlier that day she put food out and pet him for a while but he didn't want to come in. My neighbor said that day he was just laying in the yard.

I just dont understand how he just like disappeared in 2 hours and didn't come when I called 3 different times that night. Even looking for him. I brought the small food bag and i would shake it and scoop food calling him, or just talking so he can hear my voice. You can see in the yards here so I've been looking, doing the food, calling his name(he knows his name since I've been calling him that for 2 years and he comes to it and looks at me), i even call out my other pets names that he knows and nicknames and other things i usually say to him. People probably hear me and think I'm crazy walking with food saying all these things. But no luck. I'm scared to put flyers cause i don't want to attract wrong people and put a target on him..I'm scared of what people might do. I go around and ask people and show pictures. I called the humaine society near me but no cat with the description, asked garbage men..nothing., mail man-nothing. I even emailed the humaine society last week twice so i can email a picture but no answer. I emailed one in town that's 30 mins away they emailed yesterday and said they dont take strays just the ones that are signed over by people/owners. I don't have a car. But they told me to call them and file a report. I have to call when they open. By the time they emailed me it was too late. I don't know what else to do..i feel so helpless, it's my fault. I don't understand how he just disappeared after being here for so long everyday. The others are still here. Even a younger cat that was around last summer that i didnt see all winter but popped up this summer again. I don't understand. He's been here through everything, bad neighbors that didn't like the cats being around, noisy mean kids. I protected him since the very beginning before i took him in..telling people he was mine so they wouldnt do anything to him. Now i feel like i failed him. And the worst part is i didn't even get to give him a kiss and talk to him like i do every time he wanted to go out. My grandma is home and doing better-somewhat and i thank god for it. I was praying for her..still do as usual but now especially I'm praying for my cat. I always pray for my family and my pets and strays and other things. I've lost a dog and cat when i was younger and it's like that all over again but now as an adult. I don't understand how he just disappeared and i think the worst. The looking we did we don't see him dead anywhere. I know he wouldnt go in a car or truck or just up to anyone..he wasnt like that. I get so emotional when I'm out in the back, doing the usual-garbage and grass cause my buddy isn't here.and at night i look out hoping to see him waiting to come in. I dont trust walking around here in the middle of the night. I still have my 2 cats and 1 dog but even they look for him. It's just sad and i cry every day.

I'm sorry this is so long just wanted to say everything I could at once. And there are still a few more details..but I'll wait. Sorry if there are any typos. Anyway words/advice/opinions i would appreciate it. Thank you very much. Especially if you read this very long post of mine. Sorry. I had no where else to go to talk to anyone.

I am so sorry your sweet kitty is missing.  I am a bit unsure from your post how long he has been gone?  Have you put up posters or gone door to door with fliers.  Also social media can be very helpful too.

Also is the missing cat neutered?  Unaltered male cats can roam for miles and miles in search of a mate.  They are completely hormone driven.  One of the feral cats I cared for went roaming before I could get him neutered.  He was gone for 5 months.  He came back skinny and very tired.  If your cat is not neutered he may have encountered other tom cats.  He also may be on the scent of a female in heat. 

Here are a few articles that may help you

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/248019/tips-for-finding-a-lost-cat

http://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-tips/lost-cat-behavior/

https://www.petfinder.com/cats/lost-and-found-cats/tips-for-finding-lost-cats/

Thank you shadowsrescue I've read the missing pet partnership. I haven't really read the others that you and others posted. I try, i start and then my mind wanders. He's been missing for 6 weeks today..so almost 2 months he is neutered. He never left here at all. They farthest I've seen him go is maybe to the end of the block(i think where he came from)but in the back alley and across the street in the front but he comes back the same way. That's why i asked my neighbor friend across the street if he saw him at all-he has a camera. I've been asking people that are outside if they saw him and I either describe him or show a picture..but no luck. A few neighbors 2 on my right and 1 on my left and 1 behind me know what cat I'm talking about because they've seen him here but haven't seen him the night he went missing. Or days after.
I'm scared to put fliers up and getbthe wrong kind of attention on him. I know that sounds stupid. But i always think the worst. I think wonder if theybfind him and hurt him instead of call me. I can't afford a reward and not sure if i would put on it either. I'm just so confused and aggravated.
The night he disappeared there were kids playing in the front then in the back alley. The alley is big enough for a car to go through and a parked car. But the kids were only back there behind my house for a minute. But with me being in the front cause of my grandmother i wasn't thinking at the moment that something could've happened.
But the kids aroUnd here don't hurt the animals..that i know of. I've asked if they've seen him-no. But they like playing with the young stray around here. But of course afterwards I'm thinking like maybe thise kids that were playing hurt him..not because they picked him up, but maybe throwing stuff or chased him. I don't know. Maybe they didn't do anything and I'm just thinking too much negative things.
He is a big cat. My uncle said maybe 15 pounds. He's not fat,just big. He doesn't go up to people, he doesn't go to kids. Maybe he'll walk by but that's it. Last time he followed me and my mom down the block while kids were out he was nervous so i hadnto walk back to the house..that was a while ago. He would not let anyone just pick him up. At the beginning he wasn't scared of me but he was aware then he let me pick him up after getting to know me. one time inside..i picked him up in the kitchen and my mom started to do something as i was putting him on the chair and he got scared and bit my jaw on the left side. I have a little light scar now but now I guess it's another memory. Weird i know. But i know that's why he wont have it. Then i think what if someone did try and then he scratched or bit them cause he was scared and they hurt him. But then i think he wont go to people like that. He let's me pick him and carry him cause he knows me. But lets me know when he wants to get down.
Anothet thing is the kids next door. He doesn't go near them but I'm positive they bothered him before a few times. A few times there was food (eggs,chunks of food) on my porch especially between the box and the house. We asked them next door and since the parents and grandparents dont speak english the kids translate but of course probably lie and they always deny everything. And its happened either when i let him out or before i can let him in. He knows to stay her on the porch when hes outside. I tried so hard to keept him in but he would go to the bathroom inside if i didn't. But these kids next door last week i think. I was outside with the cat that showed up 2 weeks before mine disappeared(that ive seen..not sure if he came before).i was feeding and petting him and he was laying outside in my yard. The neighbor on my othet sode was outside. I went in 5 mins later got a phone call..she said that the little bratty girl next door came out and threw a plastic hanger, dust pan, and water bottle at the cat. She yelled at her and told her to pick it up and apologize to the cat. She picked some up and said sorry..thats what my neighbor said. Well anyway me and my mom went 2 doors down to the guy to translate (the one that likes my cat and is looking for him too while hes out and about) we were beyond mad. And so was he. And the kids deny as usual. But we said no thr neighbor saw. So there was that issue. The guy translated everything that just happened and that we had a witness. I even brought up something the neighbor told me about that happened with/to my cat which was that the same little girl came outside while he was laying in my yard and started hitting the ground with a bat going up to him and scared him away. That's why i would always keep an eye and let him in when they are out there. They never actually touched him that I've seen. But he was still here after that. But the guy translated that to the adults for me too and i said it to the kids. I was so mad. I wanted them to know what they do that they always deny it. That guy was even mad. I said that could be a reason why my cat isn't coming back. He told the adults that my cat is missing and the kids could be a reason. Even though he was always here and her after that happened. I find it odd and i can't understand why he isn't here but every other cat is. The same few that have been around for the same amount of time still come and eat and walk the neighborhood and even some new ones. But not mine. He was here all day everyday. I did everything i could to protect him. I'm trying everything i can to find him. Except fliers cause im ify about it. I don't know. My uncle thinks maybe too many cats so he found new territory. This was his territory. Unless its a mix of cats, and kids and didnt want to deal with it anymore. My uncle also thinks he could be about 6. I don't know. I'm just so sad, confused, angry, and feel like its my fault, and helpless.

Sorry for typos and another long message. I need to vent and talk about it and talk it through. I just dont understand.

I read that you already emailed the Humane Society a photo. You should see if there are local cat rescue people where you live and get them a photo as well. Where I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada we have "Ottawa Stray Cat Rescue" and "Cat Rescue Network" as well as others. Search the Internet or you could see if the Humane Society, pet stores, vets, etc. know of any local to you.

It is most definitely not your fault. In no way, shape, or form is it your fault. Please don't beat yourself up over it. You don't need to be sorry either, every one of us that visit this site would be as devastated as you are. Typos mean absolutely nothing compared to the hurt you are experiencing right now. Unfortunately I can't offer you much other than moral support as you have done everything I could think to do. I am by no means a missing cat expert so that is not to say there isn't more things you could try.

I pray you find your cat.

Hi BellaB,

It sounds to me that he was scared by something, either the ambulance coming to help your Grandmother or noisy kids, and ran off. Maybe he went further than usual and now can't find his way back. I've had cats go missing before for 3, 4 or 6 weeks and when I've found them they've only been a mile or two from home. They seem to wander around until they find a safe place with a food source and then stay there if they don't know the way home.

What's your neighborhood like? Rural, suburban or more built up? Try to think like a cat and decide where you would go if you had to fend for yourself. In rural areas cats hunt. Most predators stay near where the food is, so where would there be the most food? If there are barns nearby there will be mice, in wooded areas there will be deer trails that smaller mammals such as rabbits also use. Just walking around these areas and calling him might bring him out of hiding.

In more built up areas people sometimes feed feral cats. Are there any colonies nearby that he could have joined? Any restaurants that leave the trash out over night? Cats will be attracted not just to the food but to rodents that come to eat there too.

I think putting up posters is a good idea. The more people that know he is missing the better your chances of finding him. Even very friendly cats won't let total strangers pick them up, I don't think there is much chance of your cat letting anyone grab hold of him and hurt him. He's got his teeth and claws to protect him and it's actually a good thing that he's scared of the nasty little kids next door. He'll be wary of them and won't let them get too close.

Stay positive. Cats are very smart and resilient and they know how to look after themselves. Make sure you do something every day that takes you one step closer to finding him, visiting shelters, putting up posters, talking to people etc, etc. Every little thing counts!

This thread may cheer you up.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/317653/my-semi-feral-cat-has-disappeared

Thank you for the kind words Shane Kent I just feel bad coming on here with my issue when there are others that are going through or went through the same thing. But I didn't know where else to go or what to do. I do appreciate the moral support so thank you.
I'm not sure if there any local cat rescue people around here. I've never seen anyone come around here for any cats and there are more than a few cats around here. But i will try to look for anything around here like that. I wish there were more things like that here. Only thing I definitely know of is the Humane Society here and in a town 30 mins away. They recently turned a little 1 floor old tv station into a animal clinic. It's part of the Humane society. Which is good. I did email both Humane society here and 30 mins away. The one here never emailed me back. You can file a lost and found report but no option to send a photo. Just a detailed description. I'm thinking there has to be an option to send a photo or atleast email me back when I sent 2 emails so I can send a photo. The other one like i said told me they don't accept strays just people that sign them over. But gave ne a phone number to call to file for lost/missing cat. When I called they were closed for the day. Mine was not a stray obviously because i did take him in. But my opinion i can file a missing/lost cat report and describe him but how would they match it to my cat without a photo? There aren't cats around here that look like him that I've seen..well maybe one last summer looked similar but what if they match it with my description and it's not mine. Sorry..just venting.

I will continue to call and check the Humane society over here and send another email just to make sure and maybe they can keep an eye out. That's what there website says. The other one in the next town emailed back and gave me a number for spca in that town and their number so i can file lost cat. But when I called it was closed for the day. Sorry..i didnt exactly type that right before. There's a pet store a few blocks away where we go to get flea drops. A nice lady owns it i think. She brings her cat there too..but it's many blocks away and I know he wouldn't be all the way over there. Also there is a vet but almost on the other side of the town/city. So really the closest thing is the Humane Society here.
We have called Animal Rescue before for a kitten 2 years ago and a really skinny cat last year-both in our yard. But they aren't close by at all. I think a few towns away. I can maybe still call there. I checked there website and the Humane society website and didn't see my cat there.

B bellab

Hello, I am so sorry you're going through this right now. I had a similar situation happen to me, and unfortunately it didn't end well and we never found him (but he was old, sick and there are a lot of large preditors like coyotes and cougars in my area).

But I wanted to ask if you've tried posting on Facebook? Many areas/cities have lost and found pet facebook pages. Like the one for my city is called Indy Lost Pet. They allow you to send in a picture of the pet and add a short description, phone number and last known location.

Hello Norachan Do you think that's what it was that scared him? I was thinking that too. That maybe he did leave the yard while I was in the front or inside while the ambulamce was here or right after maybe on his own or the kids next door came out while he was standing in the yard and they scared him away (like the girl before) and maybe when he left those other kids playing maybe came around and scared him even more and that he wasn't sure about coming back. But after days and weeks i start to think. How come he's not back yet? Maybe he went too far and cant get back. I also start thinking did someone kind of corner him to grab him? Were they watching him before? Did the kids playing hurt him? The kids were only there for not even 5 minutes cause they were just running by playing tag or something but i have these thoughts like if they did hurt him or was scared near here then how come he didn't run backnin the yard like he usually would? I have all these thoughts. Cause to me it's odd that he is gone for 6 weeks now. It was odd to me when he was gone for 1 week. He's here everyday almost all day..inside and outside. I don't understand how he can disappear into thin air like in 2 hours.
My neighborhood is suburban/city. I explained my best before to describe it. Not sure if i explained it good enough. But he never leaves this block. There are row homes here. In between the houses are little breezeways to walk through to get to the back from the front. WhileI was outside while ambulance was here and right after..he didn't come through that way. But like I said before the other cat came running through and ran down the block. But not my cat. I figured mine was fine cause he stays in the box when he's outside and doesn't want to come in or waiting for me to let him in or if he wants to be out but in a safeplace. Other times he's fine on the box or on the chair. The porch was his basically. Its not just a box..i should say kitty bed/condo kind of. I tried to anyway. Even when it rains he would want to come in cause of the thunder or hard rain. Except for a few times he didn't cause it was nice outside. But stupid me I should've went back there to check, or something. But my mind wasn't exactly there at that moment with what was going on. I feel like its my fault.

So since he didn't come through to the front I know he had to leave through the back gate (which is locked). But as soon as i came in he wasnt there and never came when i called 3 seperate times that night. Like disappeared. there are alleys in between the blocks. If he were to hide in yards, the yards here are small and can see in them. There's no place to hide in the front of the houses here. But while walking and looking i stop if there isa little bush and call..cause i know he sleeps in the little one in my yard. Some people have a wooden fence but ibtey my best to look through it and stand there and call and shake food.
There is a little bar around the corner a block down on one side, and a bar/little restaurant around the other corner down 2blocks on the other side. But that's like 2 to 3 blocks away. Not sure if he would cross a street if its a busy 2 way and intersection. He did cross the street in front here but its a small one way. He knows to move when cars comes-that I've seen, also from what I've seen he doesn't like noisy kids. My neighbor 2 doors down was talking to me one day and talking about him and he waswith menin the yard and started to walk to lay in the grass and the guy way calling him to get his attention and he just ignores him. Is that a good thing? Of course he's used to the neighbors on both sides of me plus they don't bother him except for next doorwith those kids. So i don't know what to think. I feel so lost and i don't even know. I already checked by the bars cause of the food but that was before. Plus my uncle always walks by one to go to the store and he walks in that direction everyday.
But i realized something. I was/we were looking in one direction at a time instead of a circle/square. I was trying to think like a cat/him. If he left the back..his usual direction is to go right. So i was looking that way the first few days. Even my mom and uncle. Then my uncle even walked the opposite direction to the other store. Another time me and my mom went around one way, my uncle. Of course asking everyone we saw. I don't trust people and kids and think they will do something to him..but while walking through other blocks calling him and looking shaking food i noticed a few other cats just walking, or laying, or going to hide. So i figured why would they go after mine. I don't know i just have thoughts all over the place. Cause noone hasnt seen him. So i don't have a leed.
I thought in the beginning he had to be in one direction. But no luck. So we tried another. We didn't go further than the busy streets in 2 directions out of 4. The one other direction is kinda of like a dead end. There's a street-kind if busy but houses. No intersection so i know he can't be that far away..cause its like 3 to 4 blocks already. The other busy street -across is a bus station(the office and wherethe buses park..so he cant be past that either. I doubt it. We've been that way. So there's one way that my uncle went and it maybe more quiet than over here..but he didnt see him. But we are going to try that way again. And instead of one way at a time go in a square.
I don't know what else to do. Can I out up fliers with his picture? I just dont want any wrong attention on him. Maybe just a description? You can't miss him if you do see him.
Then i start thinking a few neighbors said hes a nice looking beautiful cat. And they like how he looks and that he looks tough (hes a sweetheart to me though) so maybe someone did take him. But how unless they were planning it. they even say maybe someone did. Another that knows the story said he has a good feeling and he will be back. He's around here. But it's so hard for me to believe. I just dont know what to do. I think i know him well enough to defend himself with people..cause he did it to me once before when he got scared. He doesn't like noise. Another thought i had was he disappeared June 10th. People around here were doing litle fire works and fire crackers on and off every day. Maybe that put him into more hiding and away. I don't know. I just find it odd. There isnt any wooded area around here but I know he can hunt and catch birds. I've seen it twice. Well not the whole thing just him picking at something and that's what it was. Poor bird. And he probably goes after mice too. I just dont know what else to do. Where else to look. I'm asking people while walking,showing pictures but sometimes noone is outside. Not sure if anyone around here even posts about stray cats or found cats. I don't even know where or how to start to look for that on the internet.
All the usual cats around here are here and he's not. I don't understand. If someone wanted a cat there are smaller ones here and a younger one thats friendly. Why a big about 15 pound cat? Or if someone hurt him, theothers are fine. Wouldn't they be hurt too?
I'm so confused. Thank you for saying even friendly cats wont let you pick them up. I know a few over the years that were like that..but i know some do. The cats around here are used to me. Maybe they know I'm nice and not going to hurt them. They warm up to me. Well 4. There are others around but i think they jusy come around and go. I saw mom cat with 3 younger ones-her babies. Walking together. I only saw them once. I think theybfound a spot to hide. And i saw her anothet time i guess to hunt for food for her babies. They didn't get close to me though.
Anyway i just don't know. I do know that if he hears me he will come to me like he usually would. I'm positive. But no luck yet. He even know my uncle and moms voice too. I feel like i can do so much more but have no idea what and where. I want to stay hopeful but it's hard. And thank you for the link. It made me a little better. I hope it can happen to me.
Your cats go missing that long too? Mine was 6 weeks friday. How do you not have a mini heart attack? Or do you but you know they're ok? This hasn't really happen to me. So I'm going crazy kind of. It happened when i was younger my cat got out and never came back, didn't find here. Same with my dog a while before my cat. But that was years ago. You seem to know alot about this stuff. I appreciate it. Thank you.

Sorry again. Didn't realize i wrote so much.

BellaB said:

Sorry again. Didn't realize i wrote so much.

Click to expand...

B bellab

Did you see my post?

Hi Bella,

First of all, please don't apologise for writing so much. I think it's helping you to write everything down and we're here to listen. A lot of us have lost cats before, but if we can tell you what we learnt and help you find your cat it will mean that we didn't go through all that searching in vain.

Just a few things that can to mind while reading your posts. First of all, don't tell the Humane Society or the Animal Rescue places that your cat was a feral outdoor cat. Say he was an indoor cat with regular outdoor access. Some people think feral cats just wander off for no reason (Which isn't true) and won't pay attention to you the way they would if someone was looking for a lost pet.

One of my mother's cats went missing for a week once. They live quite close to a busy road. Her cats went out the back all the time, where there were gardens and fields, but never out the front. One day something happened to scare her cat and she ran across the busy road. Once she was on the other side she was too scared to cross back again. They spent ages looking in the direction the cat always went, then finally got a call from a lady who lived across the street from them to say the cat was in her back garden. So if your cat has crossed a boundary he doesn't usually cross, a busy road or a yard with a big dog in it for example, he might be too scared to cross back.

I don't think anyone would go to all the trouble of stealing your cat just because they want to do something horrible to him. Sadly there are lots of unwanted cats around and people offer kittens for free on Craig's List. If people wanted to get a cat without too much trouble they'd do that, not bother stealing a large, adult cat that may well give them a nasty bite. 

Don't give up yet. I know you're going through something really awful, but you've got to keep believing in Blue's ability to take care of himself.

raina21 sorry. I must have just missed it while typing. I'm using my phone. Thank you. And I'm sorry your situation didn't end well. I hate to hear that.
I'm not sure if they have a Facebook page like that here. I would definitely try to find out. I hardly use Facebook but I'll check. I'm always a little ify about posting either a number, location for things on pages like that. In this situation it's different..but i don't want the wrong attention on him..I'm ify about posting a picture and number on a page like that cause of the weirdos out there. But i will. Cause i dont know what else to do.
I don't even know where to start to look for stuff online.

BellaB said:

raina21 sorry. I must have just missed it while typing. I'm using my phone. Thank you. And I'm sorry your situation didn't end well. I hate to hear that.
I'm not sure if they have a Facebook page like that here. I would definitely try to find out. I hardly use Facebook but I'll check. I'm always a little ify about posting either a number, location for things on pages like that. In this situation it's different..but i don't want the wrong attention on him..I'm ify about posting a picture and number on a page like that cause of the weirdos out there. But i will. Cause i dont know what else to do.
I don't even know where to start to look for stuff online.

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B bellab

Just search "lost cat *insert your city/area here*" and I am sure something will come up.

I understand your reluctance to post your number. But posting a photo will be the most helpful thing to do in this situation. There may be a few weirdos out there, but they are vastly outnumbered by normal/decent people. And posting his picture online ensures that more people will see it and he will be more likely to be found!

You can also post an email adress instead of your phone number (you wouldn't have to use your main email adress, but you can start an another email account just for this purpose).

raina21 thank you. I'm going to try that and see what pops up.
That is true. A picture is best. Asking people around here if they've seen him and I describe him if I don't have my phone with me..is a little different only cause he's different than what I've seen around here. But online and fliers a picture is helpful. And yes, there are out numbered by decent normal people. I just don't want the wrong attention on me or him. But i have to cause at this point that's all I have left. I really dont think anyone pays attention to cats around here.

I was thinking if an email would be better. I know not for a flier cause it's too much to write compared to a number but for online is good. Thanks. I think i will make an email just for that purpose. And maybe if I can, a Facebook page too that i can use just for that. Would that be a good idea?

Hi Norachan thank you. I appreciate that. I do apologize because I know people on here have been through it or are currently going through it.so It makes me feel bad. Like I'm bothering but I need help. You know what I mean? I wish I could help others including you the way you are trying to help me. It does help by writing everything down and even if only a few people read and give some advice,opinions or anything that's helpful that I didn't do it makes a difference and helps. Even just talking about it helps. I know it doesn't exactly bring him home any faster or at all but it helps because I'm able to let it out and maybe someone will notice something i haven't. Every little thing any of you say makes a difference to me and listening/reading it especially cause i write alot mean alot to me. I really appreciate it.

Your cat is missing too right now? Hope he/sshe comes home soon. Did you say this happened before or was it another one? How can you deal with it?

Yes. When i called amd emailed the Humane society I said my cat. I wouldn't say stray/feral i take care of. I'm sure they wouldn't pay attention like they would if it is yours. I dont doubt it. I would say he is mine and amd indoor/outdoor cause the whole time I've had him and took care of him he's been in/out..it didn't take long for him to want to come in. Thats why i strongly believe he was that neighbors cat i mentioned in my first post. But humane society here never emailes me back so i will try agaim and call the numbers and file a lost cat report. Also it would be better if they will say send a photo in an email with my information. I don't get it. I'm guessing you know they pay more attention to your pet than a stray feral. Like i said i don't doubt it. I know they help animals but wont pay attention. I want them to have a photo not just description so everything is out there amd spred through other shelters. Their site says it goes to others but a photo would help too.

You make a good point. About him crossing a busy street to get away or a yard with a dog and being scared to come back or lost scent. I've read that by walking around they can pick up your scent. Is that true? From what I've seen well not really seen but i know he never left this block. Maybe across the street but that's it. So maybe he's scared to come back even though I'm looking and calling. I don't know. That sounds like what i was doing. Looking in one direction then went the other instead of all at once. And he could've been on the move the opposite way. i know with the fireworks people were doinf probably kept scaring him too. So that's a possibility. Probably left within two hours but off the block when i was calling him from the yard. But becong scared by whatever..he probably just kept going. I don't know. But that's what I think. Then maybe what you said happened. Crossed a boundary he doesn't cross. I went up to where i think he wouldn't cross. I'm glad your mothers cat was ok and found.

I know. I dont think someone would go through all that trouble either. Cause you cant get in my gate cause its locked and in order to take him they have to sit and wait til he leaves. It is too much to steak out on a cat. Plus i never see anyone like that. There are other cats and people do give away kittens for free. But people put in my head maybe someone tookk him while walking. I'm thinking not in 2 hours. And my uncle thinks even if they did when that person opens the door he will leave and come back if he's close. My uncle haf a cat years ago that he wouldlet out and when they moved he woukd go back to the old house. So that also gives me some hope. Along with what you and others tell me. And stories i read.

I do believe in Blues ability to take care of himself but the worry and thoughts take over. My mom said we were taking care of him 2 years. Who knows how long he was out wandering around before he made a home here..or if he came from that neighbor..who knows how long he had him outside for. If he survived before he can now. I told her i know but he's mine now and never left like this and i dont like it. I know it can't be helped they do that but still. I want him safe. I want all of them safe. I said when/if he comes back I'm keepinghim inside. I don't care if he has to go to the bathroom he can use the litter box..even though he wouldnt. Or I'll get a gps..lol. i hate saying if. I want to say when. He never left like this before so i don't know. I didn't even say bye or give him a kiss and talk to him like i usually do when he wants to go out cause je was already outside and i was waking up and the ambulance was coming. So i feel bad like it was my fault.and i didnt want that to be the last time i see him. And i didnt take enough photos of him. I thought I did..but i didn't. I was too busy just petting and playing with him and just being with him that i didnt take photos of some cute things..i thought i did but i i didnt. Some things but not all.. plus my camera on my phone was messed up. Maybe i can post a photo here if you or anyone wants to see.looking at the ones i have amd remembering certain things he did make me sad. But i will. And thank you very much. And for the emoticon. I'm on mobile so i can't do one back. I have to switch to full site to do it. But i think a smiley works

I miss him so much. I'm so sad. My buddy. I've never had a cat like him. With the way i pick him up to hold him he lays flat on my chest and stomach and his arms are around my neck like a hug. And after he eats he moves the food bowl like he's covering it. So cute.

Hello. Just coming on here to say I did contact the humane society near me again. Still no answer back. I described him. I even filed for a lost pet. Left my email and number but they didn't contact me. I also emailed the new animal clinic near me..nothing. My uncle goes out in the mornings so he continues to look. I look. I still call from the yard too..but when I do that the regular 2 to 3 cats come. The newest cat that came around here that was here weeks before mine disappeared is here like everyday. He comes and goes. He had to be someones cat that didn't want him and jusy put him outside. I know he's not the reason mine isn't here because they were both here together since he's been around. My cat was around and stayed here with all the cats that came and went. The regulars and the ones that arr on the move. The only one that he had a little problem with was one of the regulars(he was here the day mine disappeared) he would eye him down all the time and even went after him once. But that cat is still here even of he got scared away by kids or anything.

I'm not sure what happened that night or what scared him away if anything did scare him away. But how come he's not coming back.? I'm just so confused, aggravated, worried, and sad. I just don't understand how a cat(my cat) disappears within 2 hours. And probably wasn't around when I called him after cause he didn't come the separate times i called him through the night and morning. The regulars know my voice too so they come. And i know if I call mine he will come to me. But still no luck yet. Sometimes i don't see 2 of the regulars for a couple of days but then they pop up and plus the one belongs to those people that don't even seen to care about her but maybe they keep an eye on her..i don't know.

There's this kitten-well not a kitten anymore but last year he popped up..now he's a juvenile but i didn't see him all winter and he's here now. So my mom tells me if he survived a summer and winter being small and young then ours can. Also said we aren't even sure how long he was outside wandering around before we took him in. I just find in so odd that having him for the time we did..2 years..and him wanting to come in everyday for a little while then go back out, i give him treats, he follows me, we play,he stays on the porch, just walking for a little bit..just basically being here in and out but always here just disappears into thin air. Noone sees him. I don't understand. Then i started thinking maybe he wasn't mine to begin with like I thought he was. Maybe he was alwaysgoing to wander. But right after i think that, i think no that's not possible..not the way he was with me and me with him. It's not possible. I mean it is because i know they are independent but i mean that in the way that he would be here..he knows he's safe here with me and that this his is home and territory. So i can't understand.
My uncle said maybe he just kept walking. But i dont know what else to do or where else to look.

I know I said some of this before or all of it before but I guess I just needed to vent and talk about it somewhere. Sorry. I might come back and vent or talk somemore. So please jist bare with me. I'm sorry

If someone else was feeding him and thought he was a stray they may have given him away. My grandmother fed stray cats and when I was 16 years old I went to visit her and she gave me a stray cat to take home. A lot of people that feed strays are constantly looking for a home for them. I lived in another city so there was no way that cat would have ever made it's way back to my grandmothers neighborhood. He was a great cat, my family had him for several years and he had a good long life. As you said, yours is a great cat and if someone else was feeding him they would have wanted him to have a nice home not realizing he had a home.

Someone may have taken him inside their home and aren't letting him out. I don't let my cats outside. If I thought he was stray I would take him to the vet and see if he was id chipped. I would let the humane society and local cat rescue people know I have him. Beyond that he would never go outside again and I would keep him. At least he would have a wonderful home, I would treat him like he was my kid and the cat would be extremely spoiled. Not everyone would be like me, some people would probably not let the humane society know they have him because they think he is stray.

I don't think you should give up hope as there are people that have had cats come back after years of not seeing them. Keep your eyes open for him but beyond that assume that he is in a nice home with caring people that love him dearly. From what you described he is a great cat and I would guess someone else thought so and has him in their house.

Again no need for you to say sorry on The Cat Site. It is here for people like you and you never ever need to be sorry. I am sure everyone on here feels your pain and hopes you get your cat back.