Akron, OH Lost Male Cat, Charlie Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Angelina W.

10 months ago

Shared 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Matt C.

10 months ago

Search Your Home and Alert Neighbors When indoor cats get out for the first time, they are scared and do not know what to do. Their first instinct is to find a place to hide. If they have ever escaped before they will run the same direction and go the same place they did before (even if it was years ago). Cats will usually stay within a 3-4 house radius from where they went out as long as they can find a place to hide within that area. They look for the first place to hide and then they stay there (sometimes for days on end) as long as it is safe and dry. If they venture out, from their hiding spot, it is generally at night when there is less activity. They usually will only start to look for food/water after about 2-3 days. The longer they are out the more confidence they gain. The demeanor of your cat will play a big role in how they act when they get out. As a rule – males will tend to come out of hiding sooner and wander farther than females. Is your cat friendly to strangers that come into your house? If so, they may approach strangers outside after they have gained confidence. As soon as you notice your cat is missing, talk to your family members or housemates and ask where and when they last saw your cat. Search your home carefully—under beds, in closets, dark places, small places, behind bulky furniture— in case your cat is hiding or sleeping somewhere. If you are sure your cat is not in/around the home, take a slow ride or walk around your neighborhood. Bring along a recent photo of your cat and ask neighbors if they’ve seen him or her. Check under porches and shrubs and ask neighbors to check in sheds and garages in case your cat was accidently locked in. If you did not see the cat run out then make sure you check all hiding places inside your house. The cat might not be feeling well and is hiding. Figure out which door the cat escaped from. Go out the door and look both directions. If you were a cat which way would you have wandered? Are there objects that the cat can use as cover to make her way to a great hiding spot? Cats will not run out in the open (across a driveway, yard, or field) unless they are being chased by something (you, a dog, or a predator). Best time to find a cat is once it is dark, using a flashlight to catch their eyes in the light. Softly call their name and shine the light under all decks and objects. Cats operate on the sense of smell first (before sight). They can smell 1000 times better than us. If the cat has been with you for longer than a couple weeks they are bonded to your house and the smell of the house. Try to get as much of your scent outside so the cat can smell it and will stay in their hiding spot knowing that they are close to home. Shaking a food dish, treat jar or favorite toy will sometimes lure animals out of a hiding place. If they are outside, cook up something smelly on your grill, bacon or liverwurst; something that might bring your cat home for dinner! Open the windows of your house and get the house smells outside. Put your blanket or article of clothing outside. Cut strips out of a sheet or towel and hang them outside the house. Put the litter box outside. Put canned cat food outside. Spread dry food around where you think the cat might be. Put up posters and go door to door telling all of your neighbors to be on the lookout for the cat. Make sure they have a picture of the cat with your phone number on it. Please note, we do not suggest having large groups of people out searching and calling for your lost pet. This will only scare your pet and drive them out of the area. People wanting to help can drive around and the call the owner with any sightings, but never chase the cat or call out to it if it is not your own cat.

Matt C.

10 months ago

Sharing. Post to Pet FBI Ohio and these…

Julie W.

10 months ago

Prayers for safe return

Keith S.

10 months ago

Mary HackinsonGlad to hear it. I hope you find your day soon.

Mary H.

10 months ago

Keith Segina We already got a feeding station setup along with shelter, pillowcase/socks with my boyfriend scent on it, and 2 of his toys. As for the flyers, I already made them (just need to print them out). The leasing office, maintenance, and a few neighbors know about the cat missing. He’s been looking around those times as well.

Mary H.

10 months ago

Sherry Carnahan Thank you so much. I’ll inform my boyfriend about the trap. We already got feeding station outside along with a pillowcase and socks with my boyfriend scent on it. He’s been looking everywhere for Charlie and the leasing office, maintenance and some neighbors already know.

Sherry C.

10 months ago

Mary, If you haven't already, set ingup a feeding station with a Havahart trap outside like you would if you were going to TNR a community cat. My husband and I have helped to reunite many lost cats this way. Most of the time they are very close by but hiding a bush or etc. It can sometimes take a sometime but if your cat is in the area there is a good chance you will eventually trap it. Here is a how to guide, just adjust to finding your cat, not neutering it. 😍 Praying you find your baby soon!! We live close by so will keep an eye out for him and if you need to borrow a trap, we have one. https://www.alleycat.org/resources/how-to-help-community-cats-a-step-by-step-guide-to-trap-neuter-return/

Keith S.

10 months ago

If you have a garage crack it enough so he can get in and out. Put out some food and water so he doesn’t go searching for it. Heated bowls if its getting cold. You can try shaking a bag of food or snapping a tab on a can, if he’s hungry enough he may come running. If you’re searching at night make sure you have a good flashlight. The light will make his eyes glow. Keep in mind cats like to stay in the shadows so they will walk close to or hug against buildings, homes, garages, bush lines etc to avoid being seen. If he’s never been out before he won’t go far. You can try putting out cat nip and a bell toy. If he finds it you may just hear the bell. Make sure to let your neighbors know and pass out flyers with all the information they need to get in touch with you including his picture. He’ll know your voice compared to others so keep that in mind as well. You should also get a trap and see if you can catch him that way. Some of the rescue shelters will loan them out. If you’re worried about the cold, you can build a cat shelter out of a tote or foam cooler. Just make sure you fill the shelter with straw not hay. Hay holds moisture. Also, ask your neighbors to check their garages and sheds to make sure he didn’t get stuck in there by mistake. I hope this helps and he comes home soon. cats are most active at dawn and dusk. 9pm or so and around 5:30am.

Mary H.

10 months ago

Jeannie Jones Sadly, it’s not Charlie😭

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