My cat ran away. I have a question.

[Kire]

I just moved two blocks away the other day. She's been gone since yesterday.

I put food out for her, but here's my question: am I just really fucked up to think that putting something with her scent on it (like something from her litter box) outside the door might work? What if I mark the territory outside with my own scent?

Thanks for being there, Lounge.

[WolverineDG]

1. She may have gone back

to your old place. Have you tried looking there?

dg

[Kire]

10. We still haven't closed on that house.

I will definitely look when I go over there to finish cleaning.

[WolverineDG]

21. Glad to hear kitty came home!

:bounce: :bounce:

dg

[Breeze54]

2. No, you're not crazy!

But marking with you're own scent? :shrug: Huh? :rofl:

The cat is probably waiting for you at the old place!
But remember! It IS mating season!

[Kire]

9. LOL

some other people say a dirty t-shirt will do, I like that idea better. I don't want to get caught peeing on the bushes. This is an apartment complex with lots of cars and neighbors watching.

:rofl:

[Southsideirish]

25. Look in local garages and up trees. That's where they go when they are

scared.

[bertha katzenengel]

3. Do whatever you think will work. Put her litter box out there.

Does she sleep on any of your clothes? Put them out there. Put out some of her favorite food or treats. Is there a word or phrase or sound she always responds to? Forget about feeling like an idiot: walk around the neighborhood calling out that word or phrase or sound. Call her by name. And remember to pause frequently and be still to listen.

Above all, do not worry for her safety. Cats, even housecats, are WILY CREATURES! They have incredibly keen senses, lightning reflexes, very sharp claws and teeth. She will come home when she's ready.

:hug:

[Kire]

7. She responds to "meow"

It's like I'm speaking her language. It's very adorable.

Thanks for the help.

[bertha katzenengel]

13. When one of my young semi-ferals gets out, I call her as a mother cat

would call. It's how a mother cat calls her babies to her in the wild. it works on this feral kitten -- just like when yours answers to "meow," it is the cutest thing.

Here, I'll try to type out how it sounds:

mmmraat-mrrroooowww???
mmmraat-mrrroooowww???


The "mrat" is quieter than the "mrow," and the "t" in "mraat" is pretty soft; more like a gentle glottal stop. And get louder, and raise the inflection in your voice, on the "oooowwww" part. Repeat 3-4 times. Listen hard. Repeat again 3-4 times. Listen hard again. If you hear nothing in response, then go somewhere where she won't see you if she comes to the call. -- Unless she'll come right to you when she DOES see you.

:shrug: I dunno. Worth a try.

Best of luck. I'm pulling for you both.

[Kire]

23. thanks for the phonics lesson

I know her language

Plus, she's sitting in my lap right now, so I don't have any worries,

[bertha katzenengel]

26. YAAAAAAAA HOOOOOOOOO!

I know just how you feel. Congratulations! :purr:

[Mz Pip]

4. Put out food

and something with her scent and something with yours. You don't have to pee on anything - a dirty t-shirt will do.

Our neighbors cat diasppeared for a month. She was in the neighborhood, people would catch a glimpse of her. Finally she decided that being an indoor cat in a nice house was better than scrounging the neighborhood and sleeping under bushes.

I've moved a lot with cats. They don't like it. They are more "place" critters than people critters. WHen she comes back, keep her inside for a week until she gets used to her new "place."

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Kire]

8. LOL

Thanks for the idea of a dirty t-shirt.

[jobycom]

5. One of my cats has done that twice

She ran away, both times after traumatic (to her) events. Both times she stayed gone two days and returned on the third.

If she lived in your new house long enough to know you are there, she may come back on her own, even without coaxing. Food and stuff can't hurt, though. Might make the opossums happy, too.

Good luck.

[Kire]

6. In the other house, there were other cats that would eat the food I left.

thanks to everyone for the advice

[Kire]

11. She Came Back!

Thank you to everyone for the support!

I am so relieved. The last time she ran away, she was gone for over a week.

[begin_within]

15. Get her a collar with a name and phone number tag on it right now!!!!

[Hissyspit]

17. Whenever you move, keep cats inside in their new location for

two weeks.

[Kire]

22. the door is a sliding glass one

near impossible to keep her in if she wants out

[LynzM]

18. Yay!!

I'm so glad she's back!! :bounce:

[billyskank]

19. She was probably sulking

:thumbsup:

[northofdenali]

20. If you have a fenced yard, try a "Cat FenceIn" -

They work. Kitties can go out, can't get out, others can't get in -

http://www.catfencein.com/

I'm so glad your little one is home. Scratch her ears once for me, ok?

[Mz Pip]

27. Good news!

Now you can wash your t-shirt.

Keep her inside for a week or so so she can get used to her new environment.

They make us crazy but we love them. Sigh.

Glad this story had a happy ending. :loveya:

Mz Pip
:dem:

[CottonBear]

12. PM me. I cat used a pet detective. I have info & tips for you. CB. n/t

[CottonBear]

16. Don't mind my previous post which makes no sense at all! (couldn't edit)

I'm glad your kitty is home! I used the services of a pet detective (see the link in my journal) to find my lost kitty just last month!

:woohoo: Your kitty is home! :)

[Kire]

28. like Ace Ventura?

I didn't know that was real vocation. :shrug:

[begin_within]

14. Put signs all over the neighborhood with her picture and your phone number

This has worked for me in the past.

[Strong Atheist]

24. Glad you found your kitty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nt.