Ardmore, PA Lost Female Cat, Kristina Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Karla S.

2 months ago

I’ve been in this situation with an indoor cat escaping outside. Everything you think should work to find them is probably the opposite of what is actually involved when thinking like they are right now being outside. They’re likely in survival mode because they’re completely out of their element being outdoors. So you would think they’d come running to you as soon as they hear your voice or hear treats shaking, but that’s not how they’re thinking. They’re likely thinking if they come out of their hiding place, they’ll be extremely vulnerable to predators. You & I think, we’re standing right there, why don’t they come to me, but they’re seeing everything as a potential threat so they’re likely not going to leave their hiding place, especially during the day. If they’re indoor only & spayed/neutered, then they’re not outside having fun exploring & it’s normal for them not to respond to you when you’re outside calling them. They won’t approach strangers & will possibly even run from you if you stumble across their hiding place. If you see your cat outside, do not approach, sit down & try coaxing your cat to you. Do not chase if you see them. If your cat is indoor only, then I recommend setting a motion activated camera up right outside your cat’s point of exit so you can see if it returns during the night, which is what they often do, trying to get back in under cover of darkness. Put some of your dirty laundry out there as well for scent. Do not put the litter box outside, as it will attract other neighborhood cats who will prevent your cat from returning. Only your cat will recognize your scent on your dirty laundry. You can also set up a humane trap outside the point of exit & have it ready at dark. If you do the motion activated camera first & do see your cat on it, then absolutely get a humane trap set up there the following night. Once you set a trap, do not go outside & keep the outside lights off. Monitor the trap with a camera or from an inside window. You can buy a humane trap at Tractor Supply or sporting goods/hardware stores. A trap is how I successfully caught my indoor cat. He returned in the middle of the night to where he originally got out. If you don’t have a motion activated camera, then get a humane trap set up where your cat exited your house asap & have it ready at dark. Some cats will come back inside if you leave their point of exit open after dark. If you try this, make sure other pets are secured in another room. Indoor only cats often return after dark to the exact spot where they exited your house, so a humane trap set there is important & monitoring from an inside window or by camera.

Holly L.

2 months ago