Diana E.
1 year ago
Fionah Rongers, I'm so sorry. I understand the instinct to chase an escaped cat, but if she ran in fear she may not recall how to get back to the house. Do you live in a single family home or an apartment or condo? Now that it's already been two nights, her survival instinct may be instructing her not to attempt to return, but that doesn't mean you can't get her back inside. Although it's possible Mayu will make an attempt to return overnight as I explained (so remain inside after dark, keeping an eye on her point of escape) or you will find her hiding spot if you search as I will describe, your objective going forward will be to identify a place where Mayu feels comfortable emerging at night for food. If you can lure her to a safe and quiet place to eat, she'll stay close and well nourished while you formulate a recovery plan.
I've recovered many escaped indoor cats and will share a prioritized set of instructions, below. During the daytime alert nearby neighbors in case Mayu is hiding beyond your property (under a vehicle or structure, in a garage, shed, or carport, etc.) then don’t worry that you haven’t found her — cats are expert at hiding. Focusing your efforts close to home, search again during the day using a flashlight, but be quiet and discrete so as not to frighten her (shhh! tiptoe around, 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 just after dark to give her the chance to emerge for food. Again, put something small but comforting and familiar outside (blanket, worn clothing laid flat) to give Mayu the confidence to come out of hiding, and place tempting food at her point of escape and in various safe and quiet locations at dusk (choose places where Mayu will feel comfortable eating -- close to a foundation, under shrubs, inside a porch, shed or garage with the door cracked open, etc. — a frightened cat is more concerned with safety than food). Mayu's instinct will be to come out after dark to eat and as long as you're feeding her you can get her back inside. Please see my complete instructions (click on the link to the PDF, below) and tell me if you have any questions. Hang in there and let me know how it goes. https://www.dropbox.com/s/e63sos0yc7znlej/EscapedCat.pdf?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR1x5gw2G_RoxuSs2vJQ9ym-6PIC-5u10U5UPUO6IRaBaIRT40A_mozvkX4
