Longwood, FL Lost Male Cat, Taylor Barrows Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Diana E.

1 year ago

LB Barrows, I'm sorry this happened, but don't worry that he hasn't emerged -- a cat lost in uncharted territory is motivated by fear, not food -- despite his usual behavior. For tonight, see if he'll return voluntarily to his starting point -- there's still a good chance he will try if the coast is clear. If not, tomorrow you can search again, but do so silently as I suggested. Please let me know how it goes.

LB B.

1 year ago

Diana Ellis Hi Diana, He definitely got out. We got home from.our trip late last night and we're going to pick him up this morning. When we got there, we couldn't find him. We saw the same thing and searched high and low inside. When we searched outside, I heard him meow in the woods that are unfortunately so overgrown that it is hard to get in there. I started to try to get in there because unfortunately I was trying to get to him and didn't realize it would spook him. I saw him jump out of his hiding place, only to run deeper into the wooded area. We tried for hours to get coax him out and searched the areas that we could get into. So far no sign of him. Je is a food obsessed cat so the fact he hasn't emerged to eat is concerning. :-(

Celeste G.

1 year ago

🙏💞🐾

Diana E.

1 year ago

LB Barrows, how long had he been at your parent's house and do you know for sure he escaped (in a strange environment, many cats will hide in fear and and refuse to emerge). You say he "ran into" the wooded area -- was he being chased? Most cats move slowly when they find themselves in uncharted territory. How far was he from the door when you lost sight of him? I would still try the strategy I shared in my original comment, but to keep the critters from the food intended for Taylor, put marshmallows, scraps or dog food at the bases of trees. If you can keep them occupied and away from the path Taylor would take back to his starting point, he may feel it's safe enough to return. Please let me know what happens overnight. I'm hopeful for some good news.

LB B.

1 year ago

Elaine Hatcher Thank you! Praying for his return.

Elaine H.

1 year ago

🙏🏻

LB B.

1 year ago

Sandra Galavage Thank you! You for your advice!

LB B.

1 year ago

Thank you for the advice. He was at my parents ' house because we were out of town so he is not in a familiar place. Unfortunately there is a wooded and heavily scrubbed area between my parents' house and their neighbors. That is where he ran into. We put out food but the raccoons got to it. I'm hoping he'll emerge but there are animals out there. Your advice is so helpful! Thank you!

LB B.

1 year ago

Diana Ellis Thank you for the advice. He was at my parents ' house because we were out of town so he is not in a familiar place. Unfortunately there is a wooded and heavily scrubbed area between my parents' house and their neighbors. That is where he ran into. We put out food but the raccoons got to it. I'm hoping he'll emerge but there are animals out there. Your advice is so helpful! Thank you!

Diana E.

1 year ago

Aww. Taylor is an adorable cat with a white mustache -- I'm sorry he got outside, but please try not to despair. Taylor is likely still hiding close by, too frightened to come when called or emerge in the daylight. Most indoor cats will attempt to return on their own, usually within the first few nights if the conditions are just right, so if you know what to expect and how to react, you could have him back inside by morning. I've recovered many escaped cats and have a full set of instructions, but I’ll withhold them for now, hopeful you won’t need them. This is what I suggest you do and when: DURING THE DAYTIME, alert nearby neighbors in case Taylor is hiding under a vehicle, in a garage, shed, or carport, etc., then, if there’s time before dark and you can search 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. AT DUSK lay a familiar blanket or worn teeshirt flat on the doorstep where he escaped (DO NOT USE a litter box, bedding, trap or anything anything obvious -- it's there for scent only) to give Taylor the confidence to come out of hiding, and place tempting food in front of the door (making sure you can still open it when kitty 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 Taylor 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 -- it's a popular time to return. Please let me know what happens tonight and if he's not back by morning, I'll provide more detailed instructions. Also, although some suggest putting out kitty's litter box, EXPERTS WARN AGAINST 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/

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