Plano, TX Lost Male Cat, Baby Boy Is Missing

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Marcie R.

1 month ago

I'm so sorry this happened! It is a frightening and stressful time. I know from experience. 😖 Here are some steps to take that I learned finding my escape artists. The list may be long but I'd rather cover all the bases. ***First things first...did you see your cat get out or are you assuming she got out because you can't find her and there was an opportunity for her to get out? So many times the "lost" cat had found a new place to hide/sleep inside. I once found my two curled up together inside a box in my closet even though the screen on my window was pushed out ! If possible and you are positive he is outside, keep the exit point open. Sometimes they come back on their own. If there are other pets, secure them so they cannot escape. Indoor cats that get outside don't tend to wander far. I've been told indoor cats may wander for about a mile. More than likely they are nearby. If the cat is or has been an outdoor cat, they can wander quite a ways. My post is assuming an indoor cat. ***Step two: Go out and look for her. Look carefully around your house first. Check bushes, trees, under cars and decks, and storm drains. Be thorough not fast. Dawn and dusk seem to be the best time of day to look but you don't need to wait. Some cats come when they hear a bag of crunchy treats. If so, try to do this while looking. Get an open can of tuna (nice and smelly food if no tuna available.) Get a good strong flashlight and go looking. 1.) Call her name - be calm. 2.) Shake the treat bag occasionally. 3.) Wave around tuna can 4.) Shine light ALL OVER. Look especially under bushes and cars. Check all storm drains...look and listen carefully. (Cats, including bobcats, love them and might not be able to get out.) Don't forget to look up. Shine up into trees and on top of structures like sheds or houses. 5.). If it is cold outside, cats have a tendency to crawl up into car engines looking for warmth. Knock on the hoods of cars. As you are doing all this, move slowly, listen closely, look for eye-shine. Give your cat time to respond. Don't shake the bag constantly- you need to stop so you can hear a meow. Remember, she may be across the street when she hears/smells the treats so watch both sides! If you see your cat, don't rush to her. It might spook her and make her run again. Move slowly to her. Be calm! Cats pick up on emotions. If you are stressed, she may get stressed. ***Step three: Guide her home. Some people speculate that cats don't recognize their home from the outside so you need to lure them home. If you live in a house, open your garage door slightly. Just enough for the cat to crawl under. You don't want the predators able to follow them. Gather some of your dirty laundry and put it near the opening. Placing some around the yard next to the house can also help. This way they can smell themselves and you. Their sense of smell is amazing. If he has a pet bed, (or any othe scent soaker), that can be placed outside or in the garage also. If gone longer than a day, rotate your dirty laundry so the scent is still strong. If you live in an apartment, it is more complicated. You will probably have to go to step 4. ***The old recommendation was to put litter box out but that has problems with attracting predators and other unwanteds. It is no longer recommended. ****Step 4: If your cat is anything like mine, you may have to go one step farther. My girl is very skittish and ran every time there was noise or movement...even from us. We got a humane trap and put it inside the garage as well. (Many shelters and animal groups will lend out their traps. I got mine at Harbor Freight.) They work by putting some smelly cat food (or some smelly special treat they like) inside at the far end. They step on a levered plate that shuts the open end. You just have to check often (especially at night) to see if you caught anyone. (Hopefully it will be your cat. 😁). If possible, get a camera so you can check without you having to go outside to look. If the trap needs to be put in the open, place a blanket over it - or a dirty sheet with your scent. Allow airflow so the scent of the food gets out. They will feel safer if they feel others can't see them. Put some laundry with the trap. If you live in an apartment, this is an important step. You can place it outside your door (or on patio if you have one on first or second level.) ****Step five: Canvas your neighborhood. It helps if you have a flyer with a color picture and your contact info. Fliers don't need to be large. Talking to your neighbors is very important but it helps them if there is a visual reminder. If no one answers the door, leave it on or near the door. Post a sign in your yard with the flyer attached. Maybe enlarge the flyer so easy to see. Talk with your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye out for her. Ask them to check their garage, back yards, under decks, etc. and anyplace where you can't go that he may have gotten caught inside like a shed. If they let you check for yourself, all the better. If the neighbor has a camera (Ring or other), ask if they can check the footage to see if your cat was seen. You might get an idea of direction traveled. Sometimes a well meaning person takes in the "stray" without checking with each neighbor to see if it is theirs. Step six: Go to the area shelters. Going in is better than calling. Take the flier. Talk to them. Look around at all their cats. Go in often (it is recommended to go every 3 days) to check out their new kitties. They are often busy and cannot check all incoming cats. ****Step seven: Is she chipped? If so, is the info at the company up to date? ****Step eight: There are many agencies in the area that will disperse info via internet. My brain is going blank. I can't think of the names. 😖. The good people here on NextDoor will provide the info. ****Step nine: contact a pet detective. The ones I've seen use search dogs and "other means". Please use verified people/ companies with references. There are unfortunately unscrupulous people out there. ****Step ten: When you find her, please remember to contact all the agencies you have posted to. That way they can remove the info from their files. Don't forget to update/edit your Nextdoor posts withthe good news. And everyone helping to look can celebrate with you. 🥳 Now for the sad facts, many get hit by cars or predators get them. You can't do anything about predators but you can call police or Collin County Animal Services ((972) 769-4360). They are the ones who handle picking up and disposing dead animals found. They may be able to tell you if they picked up any pets matching your cat's description. Doing this may help ease your mind on that one worry. I hope this list is helpful. It may sound like a lot but remember, others can help you. You are not alone. My prayers are with you and yours.

Charles A.

1 month ago

Jada Armstrong my email charlesaanthony0506@gmail.com

Charles A.

1 month ago

Jada Armstrong my Facebook Messenger is not working

Charles A.

1 month ago

Jada Armstrong yes I used to live right around the corner from that on Independence and Park from that store do you have a picture of him

Charles A.

1 month ago

Jada Armstrong I'm having a hard time using my messenger it's locked up this is the only way I can reply

Jada A.

1 month ago

Charles Anthony if you message me privately, I could send you the address as as well as some photos I have

Jada A.

1 month ago

Charles Anthony 7-eleven

Charles A.

1 month ago

Jada Armstrong which one is it the Texaco or the 7-Eleven

Jada A.

1 month ago

Message me! There is a gas station down the road with many strays and a lot of grey tabbies

Charles A.

2 months ago

When I made that post I didn't know I was getting scammed so people watch out this guy was trying to scam you 1600 saying my cat was injured and I had to pay that to get it back

Baby Boy is Missing in Plano, TX

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Baby Boy is Missing in Plano, TX

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