Missing kitty

[Kristal]

Yesterday morning, my parents' two cats jumped onto the windowsill in their bedroom and knocked the screen out. They both escaped and ran under the house, where they stayed from about 7am to 4pm (they are both indoor cats.) Fortunately, my dad was able to coax one of them back inside, but the other cat is still missing. They heard him meowing last night around 11pm, and found him sitting in the raised flower beds by their swimming pool. When they approached him, though, he ran away again.

They have set out some food on their back deck, but he hasn't touched it. Is there anything they can do to lure him back inside? He is usually the sweetest cat, but my mom said he was acting wild and actually scratched her arm when she tried to pick him up yesterday.

It was raining yesterday, so I'm thinking he was scared of that and decided to "hide out". Maybe? I don't know. I'm hoping he will return soon, as my parents are supposed to go out of town on Saturday. At this point, they don't even know where he is. :(

Any good thoughts you can spare for little Sparky, and any advice on how to bring him back home would be appreciated!

[Grace]

Oh no, Kristal!! How awful!! I'm so sorry :( I would be beside myself. Poor kitty. And your poor parents! I don't have any words of advice - I'm sure others will, I just wanted to say I'm sorry and I will be sending Sparky and the P's lots of good thoughts.

[Beth H]

He's probably hiding somewhere close to the house - when cats get scared, they often retreat and bunker down somewhere. Perhaps entice him with a favorite treat like tuna?

[wallycat]

Cats bite and scratch when they are afraid, even people they like and know.

I am sorry they are dealing with this...
if your folks are home, they can always get a shiny foil toy that glistens and will get the attention of a cat...play with them and lure them into the house that way.
If they have a have-a-heart trap, they can put food in it and catch them that way too. Most cats can hunt even if they were never taught, but it is less likely they would even try so I'm sure it will get hungry and may go into the trap if they recognize the food.

Good luck and post back on the success.

[Valerie226]

My kitty is indoor /outdoor but occasionally if he can't be found I sit outside where I think he'd be able to see me and wait quietly. He gets curious & shows up. Since they aren't used to being outside, is there any place they could have climbed to, like a tree? or on the roof? under the house or porch? Look with binoculars & listen closely if your trees are leafed out now. The only night our little guy spent outside he was stuck up the neighbors huge tree. we got him down the next day with a ladder & some patience.

[Chris415]

I don't have anything to add, although I take it as a good sign that they've seen and heard him, so he hasn't wandered off. I agree that he's probably nearby. I'll be sending good kitty vibes that he comes back from his great adventure very soon!
Chris

[Autumnsun]

When we were moving our cat got out and was missing for four days. We put out flyers to let the neighbors know that we were looking for him. A neighbor saw the flyer and called to let us know that they saw him in their yard the night before so we ended up searching around that area and found him. It was pouring buckets of rain and he made it through. Cats are very good about taking care of themselves. We did put out his food bowl because we were told that they won't stray too far away from their house (especially if they are an indoor kitty). Well, my cat was found more then 5 blocks away from our house but in good health (although sopping wet). He meowed pretty loud when we got him and spent the whole night in between my husband and I in bed.

Good luck. I love my pets!

[Valerie226]

whoops, I'd tried to edit my post but the edit didn't 'take". also look under and in any vehicles. cats can hide in the engine or the wheelwells so look with a flashlight. Crawlspace under the house? look under bushes, behind things. any small space a cat could hide in. Call the kitty like you normally would and then listen closely from all corners of your property. He may answer even if he won't come to you. your job is to zero in on where the call came from. it at least narrows the search area.

[Laurielee]

I agree about going outside for a while and just sit there and call him and see if he comes to you. Also have a can of tuna. And put signs out too.

When my indoor kitty got out he was missing for 3 days. I finally decided to sleep outside and sure enough he wondered up to me at 3 in the morning


good luck

[Grace]

I finally decided to sleep outside and sure enough he wondered up to me at 3 in the morning


:D :D I love that!! Sounds like something I would do!! :D Glad it worked....

[HDgirl]

My indoor cats sneak out once in a while. One more then the other. I've spent the night on the front porch too! Actually, it was a few hours, thankfully.

Artemus got out yesterday so I took Gizz, put a leash on him and sat on the front porch for a while and Art showed up wanting in.

Good luck. I hope he comes home soon!

[mbrogier]

Mine come running when I open a tin of tuna. Because of that, it took less than 5 minutes to get Ziggy in the other night when he pushed past me and got out.

(he wasn't afraid, though)

[Kristal]

Thank you all so much for your good thoughts and suggestions! I actually forwarded your responses to my parents. My dad did put out some tuna already, but he had to shoo away a different cat who smelled it. :p

They really liked the idea of sitting outside and waiting patiently, so my dad is going to sit out on the deck and read a book. Sparky loves to sit on his lap when he reads, so he's hoping that will do the trick.

I will keep you updated. We really do love this sweet little guy and are very worried about him.

[Chris415]

Just bumping up to see if little Sparky wandered back home, I hope so!
Chris

[Kristal]

Just bumping up to see if little Sparky wandered back home, I hope so!
Chris

Very good news, Sparky IS home! We were starting to lose hope as my dad sat outside ALL day yesterday and did not see him once. The tuna remained untouched. But around 7am, they heard a meow and saw him at the window of their sunroom. My dad took the screen off in hopes he would jump in, but he ran under the house again. My mom went outside with one of his toys, and he finally came up to her and let her pick him up. Whew! He seems fine, but he is very tired! :D

Thanks to everyone again for your good thoughts, suggestions, and words of encouragement! My parents were actually going to cancel their trip this weekend, but now they will be able to go. :)

[Robyn1007]

Kristal I am so glad to hear Sparky is home. I didn't want to post earlier because my mom and step-dad's cat ran away a couple of years ago and was never seen again. :( We're pretty sure something got him because they offered a $5000 :eek: reward so if someone found him they surely would have gotten in touch with them. I always have something in front of the screen so my kitty can't push out which he has done before.

[TieKitty]

I am thrilled that Sparky is home. :D I know how it feels to think you have lost a pet! I had a cat once who pushed out a screen, but he just ran around the front lawn until he exhausted himself. It's amazing how strong these little guys can be.

[Kristal]

Robyn,

How terrible about your mom and step-dad's cat. I'm really sorry. I think not knowing is about the worst thing of all. :(

Good advice about the screens. My parents have had Tigger for about 9 years and Sparky for 5, and neither one of them has ever done anything like this before. They were quite surprised at how easily they escaped! They will definitely be more careful with open windows from now on.

Thanks again to everyone. :)

[Chris415]

What great news! And think of all the stories Sparky can now tell Tigger of his outdoor adventures! :)
Chris

[Valerie226]

Great news. so glad to hear sparky is back!.

[Sallycyber]

I'm so sorry for you all. My littlest kitty jumped off a balcony and was out of sight for 3 days in cold weather. We left out food, called him, but no luck. On the 3rd night, I heard meowing from under my front window bushes (he had only ever been an inside cat) and went out at 9pm and found him scared and happy to be home. I'd keep looking but I'm sure he'll appear when he gets hungry and cold again. I hope you'll tell us when he comes home.

[Casey1230]

I'm so glad that kitty is home!!! I don't leave my windows up enough for Casey to get in... just have his 'kittybed' in front of it. At 22 pounds he could push out the screen with no problem! And with the windows on the porch, don't need anybody or anything coming in thru the screens either:eek: