Lisa D.
6 months ago
Escaped indoor-only kitties will stay hidden very well, very close to the house/escape point in fear of the unfamiliar outdoor surroundings. **Leave the escape door open as much and as late at night as possible so he can sneak back inside. Remain very quiet well inside the door. Put a trail of your dirty clothes &/or his bedding leading up to and into the door. Remain very quiet well inside the door. DON’T put litterbox outside as it can attract bully outdoor cats & predators so he’ll stay hidden.
***Most importantly, set a humane trap ASAP! This is the most effective way to recover an indoor-only cat. Borrow trap from MEOW Cat Rescue in Kirkland (1-5 pm Sat.) . Ideally, monitor trap & area with a webcam. Place in bushes that are closest to the escape point. Cover the top and 3 sides with a black yardwaste bag or dark sheet/towel & the bottom with a very light cloth. Bait it daily with finely minced sardines on tiny plate (very important NOT to leave any other food out so that he’ll be hungry enough to go in trap, but do leave water outside the trap). Be PATIENT with trap as it can take days to a week for him to get hungry/brave enough to come out of hiding and go in it.
Go out tonight and sit quietly in your yard, shining a strong flashlight around bushes, up in trees, and sides of house to look for his eye reflection. Talk as if you’re having a quiet phone conversation just so he hears your voice (DON’T loudly call how name, cause he’s fearful of being exposed, even by you) and shake a treat bag or open a can of food if that’s something he responds to. Listen for bushes rustling.
Talk with as many neighbors as possible and ask if you (not they) can check their garages, under decks, bushes, sheds, trees, crawlspaces, woodpiles, and in brambles, as he could easily be hiding/stuck somewhere. Frequently do the same on your own property.
Post sturdy weather-proof photo flyers at all mailbox stacks in your neighborhood. Don’t ever give up hope or stop taking action 💞.
