Preston, VIC Lost Female Cat, Smoochy Is Missing

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Barbara C.

1 month ago

Re your lost cat: Stressful! Please be open to many possibilities. Research indicates most 'lost' cats are hiding, scared (especially if chased or injured), possibly disoriented, locked in or trapped somewhere, usually within 500 metres from where lost (less for indoor cats). Some cats fear making a noise in case it attracts predators, so might not respond to your calls.They can squeeze into the tightest crevices (sometimes get stuck), why very thorough searches are required. Please search all through sheds, garages, under buildings, desks, in drains, bins, skips, in between tall walls and fences, roof and wall cavities, on rooves, up trees, vacant buildings, storage areas etc. (Might be hiding or locked in / trapped somewhere, surviving on insects, etc). Don't trust neighbours to search!!! (Or at least not as thoroughly as you. Some don't search at all. Cats have been found dead too late because neighbours "forgot" / did not bother). You are more likely to do the thorough search required. (Best ask permission to search yourself, or go with your neighbour). Call down drains with strong smelling food. If you can lift the grate and enter the drain, even better. (One cat recently found 500 metres away, down a drain). And /or create a temporary, stable ramp (eg with a branch of wood or towels to cling onto) from inside to outside of the drain, call down & leave strong food outside overnight. 10pm - 5am walks with strong smelling food and torch, when no cars: call calmly, stop, listen, wait. Leave a door open if safe with food inside. Leave strong smelling food (eg tinned Whiskas cat food meat and fish flavour or hot BBQ chicken) and water out overnight, near exit point and possible hiding places / where might be trapped. If food eaten, last resort, a cat trap on level ground in a safe, discreet location. Google how to use safely, monitor closely. Do not leave a trap unattended! Remain nearby. Posters, leaflets and door knock. CCTV cameras. Vets, pounds and animal welfare organisations, regularly with photo. Ensure microchip details are correct, register as lost. Do all at previous address, if puss recently moved home. (One cat recently travelled 26km to previous address, arrived 6 weeks after lost. Another found 500 metres away from where lost, 7 months later). Most cats need to be locked in for 3+ weeks to bond to a new home, otherwise sooner or later might try o head back to previous home or territory. Most cats are escape artists until bonded to new home! (eg breaking through mosquito netting and forcing sliding doors / windows open). Be extra vigilant !! New / timid cats & kittens are prone to hiding / getting stuck under / behind / in, furniture. So also check in / behind / under drawers, wardrobes, low lounges / beds, recliner chairs (don't move leg rest until double-checked), behind fridges where warm, washing machines (always check inside before washing). Be extra careful moving furniture! Behind / under kitchen cupboards & behind rangehoods, are other potential areas to be trapped. Do all of the above many times (in case your cat moves). Track down where any vehicles puss might have entered travelled to, do same there. 😞 🙏 (See Find Booboo page: determined owner perservered for 7+ months before found her skinny cat). Please consider keeping indoors and / or invest in a very secure cat enclosure or catio. (Research has found it adds 10+ years to average age of cats. Safer for cats and wildlife). Be aware of dodgy scams claiming to find or rescue your cat. Seek independent reviews before engaging & providing your personal detail and money. Don't give up searching ... 🙏 Re your lost cat: Stressful! Please be open to many possibilities. Research indicates most 'lost' cats are hiding, scared (especially if chased or injured), possibly disoriented, locked in or trapped somewhere, usually within 500 metres from where lost (less for indoor cats). Some cats fear making a noise in case it attracts predators, so might not respond to your calls.They can squeeze into the tightest crevices (sometimes get stuck), why very thorough searches are required. Please search all through sheds, garages, under buildings, desks, in drains, bins, skips, in between tall walls and fences, roof and wall cavities, on rooves, up trees, vacant buildings, storage areas etc. (Might be hiding or locked in / trapped somewhere, surviving on insects, etc). Don't trust neighbours to search!!! (Or at least not as thoroughly as you. Some don't search at all. Cats have been found dead too late because neighbours "forgot" / did not bother). You are more likely to do the thorough search required. (Best ask permission to search yourself, or go with your neighbour). Call down drains with strong smelling food. If you can lift the grate and enter the drain, even better. (One cat recently found 500 metres away, down a drain). And /or create a temporary, stable ramp (eg with a branch of wood or towels to cling onto) from inside to outside of the drain, call down & leave strong food outside overnight. 10pm - 5am walks with strong smelling food and torch, when no cars: call calmly, stop, listen, wait. Leave a door open if safe with food inside. Leave strong smelling food (eg tinned Whiskas cat food meat and fish flavour or hot BBQ chicken) and water out overnight, near exit point and possible hiding places / where might be trapped. If food eaten, last resort, a cat trap on level ground in a safe, discreet location. Google how to use safely, monitor closely. Do not leave a trap unattended! Remain nearby. Posters, leaflets and door knock. CCTV cameras. Vets, pounds and animal welfare organisations, regularly with photo. Ensure microchip details are correct, register as lost. Do all at previous address, if puss recently moved home. (One cat recently travelled 26km to previous address, arrived 6 weeks after lost. Another found 500 metres away from where lost, 7 months later). Most cats need to be locked in for 3+ weeks to bond to a new home, otherwise sooner or later might try o head back to previous home or territory. Most cats are escape artists until bonded to new home! (eg breaking through mosquito netting and forcing sliding doors / windows open). Be extra vigilant !! New / timid cats & kittens are prone to hiding / getting stuck under / behind / in, furniture. So also check in / behind / under drawers, wardrobes, low lounges / beds, recliner chairs (don't move leg rest until double-checked), behind fridges where warm, washing machines (always check inside before washing). Be extra careful moving furniture! Behind / under kitchen cupboards & behind rangehoods, are other potential areas to be trapped. Do all of the above many times (in case your cat moves). Track down where any vehicles puss might have entered travelled to, do same there. 😞 🙏 (See Find Booboo page: determined owner perservered for 7+ months before found her skinny cat). Please consider keeping indoors and / or invest in a very secure cat enclosure or catio. (Research has found it adds 10+ years to average age of cats. Safer for cats and wildlife). Be aware of dodgy scams claiming to find or rescue your cat. Seek independent reviews before engaging & providing your personal detail and money. Don't give up searching ... 🙏

Erika S.

1 month ago

Hopefully hiding nearby. Night time walks are super important

📷 View photo on Facebook

Erika S.

1 month ago

📷 View photo on Facebook

R K.

1 month ago

Knock on neighbours doors and put out flyers everywhere. Do offer rewards. Also go out in the night. You can hear him better then. Check the pounds too. Airtags on collars help greatly.

Smoochy is Missing in Preston, VIC

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Smoochy is Missing in Preston, VIC

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