Costa Mesa, CA Lost Male Cat, Schmitty Is Missing

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Meredith K.

2 weeks ago

If s/he is not accustomed to being outside, s/he is probably close to home. Most indoor only cats don't go more than about a 5 to 6 house radius from where they got out. S/he is probably hunkered down, hiding somewhere close by. Search low and high, go search under cars, in the bushes, at night with a flashlight and look for her/his eyes. Ask your neighbors to look in their garages and sheds. Go out very late at night or very very early morning, stand in one place near home and call her/his name in a calm voice. If you have another pet such as a dog or cat that is friends with the missing cat, bring it along with you and see if they smell or call the missing cat. Be sure to have the dog on a leash. Be sure to have the cat in a carrier. Bring an extra carrier with you. Don't put out the litter box, it will draw predators. You can create a scent station - put out her/his favorite bed, blanket, toy, or your worn clothing. If it is safe to do so, you can also try securing your other pets and leaving a door open a few inches and see if your cat comes back in. If you have confirmed sightings but the cat is skittish, you can rent a humane trap, set & bait it with her/his favorite food and put your used bed sheets over it. NEVER LEAVE THE TRAP UNATTENDED. Be sure to check it every every 30 minutes or so. Post everywhere you can (Pawboost, Lostmykitty, Lost & Found Pets pages for your city & county, Nextdoor, the Buzz page for your city, etc.) and be sure to put up flyers in the neighborhood, and in everyones' mailboxes or under door mats, in a several block radius. Not everyone is on social media. Be sure to include the cross streets, City, time and date the cat went missing on all flyers and posts. This is critical information! People can check their cameras. People may recall seeing the cat in the area around that time/date. Also check your local animal shelters to see if s/he was found and turned in as a stray. Many of them have websites with photos of the cats. If they have a deceased pets page, check there too. There won't be photos. The color, & approximate age will be listed, as well as city & nearest cross streets. Don't give up. A neighbor's cat escaped 30 minutes after he was brought home after being adopted. They did many of these actions, and a few people reported seeing the cat, but when they went to look, no sign of the cat. The cat was found exactly 3 months later, across the street, 5 doors down. He came into the neighbor's garage and she had kept the flyer, so she was able to call my neighbor and the kitty got home safely. Also check your house very thoroughly. If cats aren't feeling well, they often hide. Check every closet, cupboard, drawer, washer, dryer, piece of furniture a cat could crawl into, even spaces that seem unlikely. My friend's cat went missing. She found her 3 days later hiding in a kitchen cupboard behind some pots & pans. I hope you find her/him safe and sound really soon!!

Jessie G.

2 weeks ago

Prayers you find him. 🙏

Sandra H.

2 weeks ago

Lost Cat Recovery Checklist Immediate Actions ■ Start searching close to where she got out (cats usually hide nearby). ■ Check high & low hiding spots: under cars, porches/decks, shrubs, garages, sheds. ■ Ask neighbors to check open garages/sheds and closed spaces before shutting doors. Best Times to Search ■ Search during quiet/dark hours (best: 12am–7am, especially 1–6am). ■ Use a strong flashlight at night to spot eye reflection. Calling & Approaching ■ Call for her during still hours (overnight/early morning). ■ If you see her: stay calm and quiet (don’t chase). Scent Lures (Safe Options) ■ Put outside: her bed/blanket or your unwashed clothing/bedding. ■ Place scent items near the trap and/or leading toward the door. ■ Do NOT place a litter box outside (can attract predators such as coyotes). Food / Feeding Station ■ Set up a feeding station and feed during the day only. ■ Do NOT leave food out overnight (attracts wildlife & scares cats off). Humane Trap (Highly Recommended) ■ Get a live/humane trap ASAP. ■ Use food only inside the trap (don’t leave food elsewhere). ■ Cover trap with a tarp/blanket for safety and comfort. ■ Check trap frequently—never leave it unattended overnight. ■ In harsh weather: check every 30 minutes. Outreach (Very Important) ■ Post flyers around the neighborhood with phone number (day/night contact). ■ Bring flyers to local vets, shelters (go in person every few days if possible), and pet stores. ■ Tell your mail carrier (they notice roaming pets). ■ Ask known stray feeders/rescuers if they’ve seen her. Mindset ■ Keep checking at different times daily. ■ Don’t give up—cats can be found weeks or months later

Joseph S.

2 weeks ago

Check in bushes and under cars near your home, and on the next street over, especially in the evening with a flashlight to catch the reflection of his eyes, calling out to him and making a familiar sound. Ask neighbors if they might have seen him, and when they last did and which direction he headed if they have. If they have security cameras, video footage would help. Ask them if he might be trapped in their garage or shed. I hope he is found soon🙏🏻

Karen K.

2 weeks ago

📷 View photo on Facebook

Karen K.

2 weeks ago

📷 View photo on Facebook

Mary L.

2 weeks ago

So sorry your kitty is missing 😰 You must actively look for your kitty. Please go out late at night or very early in the morning when there are very few cars and people out. Sit on your front or back stairs, wherever he’s more familiar and talk in a normal conversation voice, think low cell phone conversation. Do this for at least an hour if not longer, morning and night until found. If he likes treats and knows the sound of a treat bag do that also or any sound that he gets excited about. If he’s scared and hiding, this may be the encouragement needed to come out. Cats can hide for days. Place your worn clothing or something with your scent outside. No food or litter box in this area due to predators. Good luck. I Hope he is found safe and soon. 🙏🐾💕

Sonia L.

2 weeks ago

Put a piece of your worn clothing near escape area, they say not put their litter box outside because of predators but someone suggested it for my guy when he got out and was gone for several days when we moved. He was able to make his way back home. I moved twice ans both times he returned days later. Good luck 🙏🏼💞praying for kitties safe return

Schmitty is Missing in Costa Mesa, CA

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Schmitty is Missing in Costa Mesa, CA

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