Princeton, FL Lost Male Cat, Oliver Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Diana E.

5 months ago

Letty Larrea, if Oliver has never been far from your door and is, therefore, lost in uncharted territory, please try not to panic -- he's likely hiding nearby but is too scared to respond to your calls. As I explained in my original comment, he may attempt to return on his own overnight if you know just what to do. This is my advice: DURING THE DAYTIME, alert nearby neighbors in case Oliver is hiding just beyond your property (under a vehicle, in a garage, shed, or carport, etc.), then, if there’s time before dark and you can search SILENTLY without dislodging him from his hiding spot, focus your efforts close to home and tiptoe around using a flashlight, but be quiet and discreet so as not to frighten him (shhh! DO NOT CALL or shake treats), check every crack and crevice, look in, under and around sheds, vehicles, furniture, under foundations and porches, into trees etc. but suspend searching when it gets dark to give him the chance to return voluntarily. Make sure the pups have wrapped up their outdoor time by dusk because they must remain indoors overnight also. Lay a familiar blanket or worn teeshirt flat on the doorstep where he escaped (it must be inconuous so his approach home looks exactly as it did when he got out) to give Oliver the confidence to come out of hiding, and place tempting food in front of the door (making sure you can still open it when he returns). Call him softly to provide a familiar sound and direction, then watch and listen closely from inside (DO NOT GO BACK OUT AFTER DARK!) and if you see Oliver approach and settle on the food be very careful not to startle him as you slowly and quietly provide a clear path back inside. If you can't wait up set an alarm and watch again just before sunrise. Please let me know what happens tonight and if he's not back by morning, I'll provide more detailed instructions. I'm hopeful for some good news.

5 months ago

Diana Ellis Oliver is an indoor cat and only went out to my yard with my other dogs to pee, nothing more. He was always under someone's supervision when he went outside. He escaped when I was returning a dog I had found in the area to its owner. The irony of life: I was helping others, and the next day I was asking for help myself.

Diana E.

5 months ago

Letty Larrea, Oliver is a beautiful gray kitten (Russian Blue with large, wide-set ears) -- I'm so sorry he's lost. Is Oliver an escaped indoor kitten or allowed outside? His familiarity with the environment will dictate how to find him. Escaped indoor cats usually hide close by but are too frightened to return or respond when called; while a cat that knows his way around may have become stuck somewhere and needs help getting home. I have recovered many lost cats and assisted others so if you tell me about Oliver I can provide complete instructions that may help. Please understand an escaped cat may emerge when it's dark and quiet to sneak back inside — if you do just the right things. This usually happens within the first few nights so until I hear back from you please implement this strategy if Oliver got out accidentally: tonight lay a familiar blanket or worn teeshirt flat on the doorstep — do not use a litter box, bed, trap, or anything conuous -- along with tempting food at his point of escape. Call him softly to provide a familiar sound and direction (he won't come on command) then watch from inside (DO NOT GO BACK OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT!) and if you see Oliver approach and settle on the food be careful not to startle him. Slowly and quietly provide a clear path inside and he may put an end to the crisis himself. If you can't wait up set an alarm and watch again just before sunrise -- it's a popular time. And although some will suggest putting out kitty's litter box, experts say DON’T DO IT. I've never used one in all the times I've been successful recovering a lost cat. Please read this to learn more about why it's neither necessary nor recommended: https://www.facebook.com/notes/lost-cats-georgia/why-we-dont-recommend-putting-your-lost-cats-litter-box-outside/1101245526665296/

5 months ago

Thank you for the advice, I've already tried everything you suggested and nothing has worked yet.

Paula V.

5 months ago

The only way a lost cat can find its way home is with its nose. Immediately anything with the cat's scent on it and anything that stinks of you like your smelly socks something that you sweated in overnight and your stinky sneakers even your dirty clothes and your underwear! Cats usually stay within a five house radius of their own home for up to a week sleeping in the bushes and coming out at dusk Dawn and late at night. These are good times to take walks shaking the treat bag and calling for them. Cats can smell up to a whole mile away. So do that immediately and also put this on nextdoor. com and the other lost and found pet sites. Go on those sites looking at pics of found cats too. There might be a match.They tend to come home late at night or early in the morning so if you can keep a window cracked or a door cracked so at least you hear them. Good luck IF YOU HAVE FOUND A CAT: Please post this on all the lost and found pet pages in your county as well as all the neighborhood pages. Look on those pages either type the word bangle in the search boxes or just look at the photos try to make a match to someone that lost this cat. Almost certainly a pet that got out. I did see a similar looking cat on one of the pages. Any vet will check for a chip for free.

Holly H.

5 months ago

❤️🐾 Make sure to check your local animal shelter DAILY to see if your cat was picked up or turned in.

Holly H.

5 months ago