San Diego County, CA Lost Male Cat, Mittens Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Kimm L.

7 months ago

Most indoor cats will stay very close to home, but they will go into hiding because they go into survival mode, especially during the day. If it’s at all possible for you to put some recently worn clothing, bedding, a cat tree, if your cat has one near a open door window or garage where the cat will have access to return home, they usually will do it between midnight and 3 AM in the morning. Do not put a litter box out because that will attract other predators such as coyotes, raccoons, skunks, etc. At night time, you can also take a flashlight looking under cars in trees and bushes Taking with you a bag of treats if your cat is treat motivated, calling its name softly staying low to the ground, shaking the bag and using the flashlight to possibly light up your cats eyes. Sometimes they can stay in hiding for days so don’t give up. Hope these tips help and that you’re beautiful. Cat returns home safely and soon🙏🐈‍⬛❤️ don’t give up sometimes they can stay in hiding for over a week until they get really hungry, especially when a lot of commotion is going on during the daytime

Penny S.

7 months ago

What worked for me was Notifying County Animal Services each day at (9.0.3) .. 2 . 5 . 4 .. 5.0.6.5, Yesterday my pet was reunited with me.

Lydia T.

7 months ago

Stressful! Please be open to many possibilities. Research indicates many 'lost' cats are hiding (or locked in / trapped, prevented from returning home), frightened (especially if chased or injured), possibly disoriented, 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 become wedged in), why very thorough searches are required. I am aware of 100's of situations where a cat was accidentally locked in / trapped somewhere (eg in a neighbours shed, garage, holiday home, roof, crawl-space under a home / industrial building). Most somehow survived (eg by eating insects), many others didn't. 😞 Please thoroughly search through sheds, garages, under houses / buildings, bats, decks, in bins, skips, bushes, between tall walls and fences, roof and wall cavities, on top of rooves, in trees, vacant homes / buildings (even neighbours on holidays), construction / storage areas, etc. Don't trust neighbours to search!!! (Or at least not as thoroughly as you. Some don't search at all. You are more likely to do the thorough search required. Best ask permission to search yourself, or go with your neighbour). You might need to offer a reward for unco-operative / uncaring neighbours. 😞 Call down drains with strong smelling food. If you can lift the grate and enter the drain, even better. (One cat found 500 metres away, another 3km, down a drain). And /or create a temporary, stable ramp (eg with a branch of wood) from inside to outside of the drain & leave strong food outside overnight. 10pm - 5am walks with strong smelling food (eg Whiskas sardines, salmon & meat flavours or hot BBQ chicken) and a torch, when no cars: call calmly, stop, listen, wait. (Cats eyes glow with a torch). Leave a door open if safe, with strong smelling food inside. Leave strong smelling food (eg Whiskas cat food meat and fish flavour, sardines, BBQ chicken) out overnight, near exit point and near / in possible hiding places / where might be trapped. If food eaten, set up a sensor wildlife camera, to ensure it is your cat. Next night try waiting nearby with food and a carrier ... Or if safe, gradually move the food into your yard / home and close door from behind, while cat is eating. As a last resort (as lots can go wrong), place a humane cat trap on level ground in a safe, discreet location. Google how to use safely, monitor closely. (Do not leave a trap unattended! Some people release distressed cats, or steal the trap with cat in it! Remain nearby). Put a towel over trap to keep cat calm. Posters high on telegraph poles, noticeboards and leaflets (pay postman). CCTV cameras. Vets, pounds and animal welfare organisations, regularly with photo. 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 a 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, washing machines & dryers (always check inside before using, cats have in these :-( ). Be extra careful moving furniture! Behind / under kitchen cupboards & rangehoods, or any other spaces where might be trapped. Do all of the above many times (in case your cat moves around). Track down where any vehicles (eg tradies / removalist vans) which puss might have entered, call the driver where went to, check cctv cameras & do all of the above there. 😞 🙏 Please consider keeping your precious cat 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). 🙏 In Australia, two microchip organisations have gone bust, which means microchips won't show up if scanned! (Cats need to be registered with another microchip organisation, with updated details, inc if lost). Also, not all vets are aware: microchips can migrate.(One cat's microchip recently located in arm pit!). Request vets to do an extra thorough, all over body scan 🙏 (Be aware of dodgy scams or people offering to find, or claiming to have already found, your cat. Seek independent evidence eg ask for photos or distinguishing features, do reviews, etc, before providing personal details or money). Don't give up searching ... 🙏

Ruth O.

7 months ago

Lost Cats‼️ Indoor only cats and limited outdoor access cats never go far. They go into survival mode and hide in silence. Most of them will not respond when they are in survival mode. 3 AM is the best time to find a missing indoor only cat. This is the time they become most active and responsive. Sit and quietly call for your kitty. Try to stay low, standing is intimidating to cats. Place some dirty socks and pillow cases outside. Your scent will attract your kitty. If you have a garage, place the items near the garage door and crack the door enough for her to get in. DO NOT leave food or litter box outside, it can attract predators and aggressive Tom cats. Because indoor only cats hide so well they are not as likely to be ed by a predator. Don't give up, it can take months to find a missing indoor only cat. Use a flashlight as late at night as you can to look in trees, under cars and in bushes. Try to look for the glow of her eyes. The best chance of you being reunited with your cat is to do a methodical search of the area. Most indoor only cats will be within 160 feet of your home. Survival mode lasts 5 to 14 days but can last longer. Once their hunger gets to a maximum theyqq snap out of it but this is a dangerous time because they come out of hiding. The majority of cats will try to make a break for home on the 5th night. In addition to posted flyers, make mini flyers and hand them out to your neighbors. Some people don't pay attention to posted flyers. It's VERY VERY important that you look for her as late at night as you can. If you have other cats, watch them. If they are spending a lot of time looking out a certain window, that’s a good indication the missing cat is in that area. Wildlife and motion activated cameras are also helpful. a lot of people are successful trapping their indoor only cats. If you decide to trap, you must watch the trap closely, predators can a cat in a trap.

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