Stacey Y.
2 weeks ago
If he’s not normally outdoors, he is probably hiding terrified under your house or another building on the property. Hopefully, not the engine or wheel covers of your car, but check before driving. This is the time of year they climb up in engines to get warm. They can end up across town or in a couple of cases a different state.
Flashlight helps you see their eyes in dark spaces only a small cat can crawl in. Put his bed and food on porch along with something that smells like you. Go out at night when quiet and call him. Use canned stinky food to lure him out. If neighbors property is really close also check their property. Weekends are when sheds and garage doors are hanging open so call him around any in the area.
And call him down in the underground runoff drains by road after it’s quiet outside. Even outdoor cats can jump down in them and not be able to get back out. Remember they go the length of road crossing over to opposite side of road. So walk along calling and listening for him. Use a flashlight to see in dark places only a cat would venture, their eyes will be visible.
Please, go see any possible sightings in person. Being lost, kidnapped or put in a loud shelter are so stressful that most animals do not look the same as owners remember. Photos can change the color of their eyes and coats because of lighting … or lack of. It can appear to be a drastically different color in some cases. Compare markings on face, paws, coat. I know it’s hard to check out every cat sighting but if it’s possible it’s yours, meeting the cat is the only way to be sure.
Post him EVERYWHERE, including all local, surrounding area, and state Facebook lost pet pages, PawBoost, Petco Love, and Craigslist is used by people who don’t do social media. Amateur rescuers are grabbing people's healthy cats and holding hostage in their homes. The awful thing is they often skip the shelter notification and legally required hold period to rehome them. You need to put flyers up everywhere, knock on every door.
This below was shared by a person in a lost pet group on Facebook, I thought it was great information so I kept it:
Cheri Scheetz Ruddy
I have been in rescue for years. Cats are scared to death when they get out and hide as fast as they can. Sometimes won’t come out of hiding for weeks. Even if they hear their owner. Their brain is in survival mode. The last cat I helped took 14 days to show up at the trap on owners front porch. Don’t give up. Here are the tips my rescue uses to find lost cats:
Hang lots and lots of posters. Get some cans of Mackerel. Take the juice and put it in a spray bottle and add some water. Spray it in the trees and bushes and along your home foundation. Spray it leading to a big bowl of Mackerel near the door he got out of. You may need to get a trap and possibly camera and set it up near the door. Sit outside in the evening talking calmly. Talk and say his name like you would if he was with you. You may have to do this for several hours for several nights. It could take weeks. Don’t go after him if you see him. Just keep talking and have him come to you. Put some clothes or your dirty laundry outside and his bed. Walk around the neighborhood and drag a dirty towel along the ground as you walk back home.
