Oxnard, CA Lost Female Cat, Betsi Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Cathy L.

2 months ago

Cats usually do not go far, especially indoor only cats (indoor/outdoor cats can travel a bit farther and unfixed cats do travel farther) they are probably scared and hiding nearby, not more than 2-4 houses away. Leave the door or window they escaped from open if possible, especially in the nighttime (around 2am - 4am) when it is quiet out. Cats are most active in the early morning and late at night. if you have a garage, leave the garage door open slightly... keep the lights low in and outside your house and keep things inside and outside your house very very quiet, so that it does not feel threatened by coming home. Some cats come home on their own, some you must search for, and some you must trap with a humane trap… Some cats who get out are so terrified they will revert to some feral behavior and hide even though their owner might be very close by and calling...... for these cats you have to trap them. Indoor only cats typically hide in SILENCE. You could be standing right next to them and calling and they will most likely not come out. They instinctively hide to protect against predators and aggressive cats. Your cat wants to come back, they are just scared and waiting for the right time. If you see your lost cat, do not chase or try to grab him. Sit down on the ground to make yourself smaller. Try to lure him closer to you with food. Keep your voice soft and don't make any sudden moves. He will be very anxious and may not recognize you right away. Be sure to let him smell you before you attempt to pet or pick up. If you decide to pick him up, be sure to hang on tight and don't let go no matter what! Go out and calmly call them/sit outside and speak softly, as they sense anxiety in your voice and will not respond. Look in and under sheds, garages, under decks, in bushes, up in trees, between fences, in window wells, nearby sewers and storm drains, under cars, Let your neighbors know and ask if they can check their property, sheds and garages or ask if they'll let you check. Look under anything with a tarp on it, pool covers, grill covers, furniture covers, in any kind of a hole or crevice, all the way under porches, all the way underneath sheds. If your neighbors have a security camera ask if they could check it. You can look for your cat at night with a flashlight as their eyes will glow in the light. Put a small shelter outside with some of your worn clothes in it so if they do come back, they will hopefully use that as a safe space. (Do NOT put litter outside as it attracts other animals that want to mark the territory) Scared cats hide in silence, just because you don't see or hear your cat does not mean they are not right there. Flyers must go up and you should call and visit in person nearby shelters and vet hospitals. Put flyers in mailboxes and up around the neighborhood too. Let the local vets know and even go to the shelter that takes in animals from your town. Leave a flyer with both. Also every town has a TNR where they feed feral and stray cats, find out where they are and check; a lot of cats were found at the feeding stations. There’s a site called LostMyKitty. They offer a service that does Amber alert phone calls to surrounding houses for a fee. If you decide to use this service, choose the free option first. Keep repeating everything and take all of the suggestions. I hope these tips help and you find your cat soon. Your cat wants to come home, keep the faith and don’t give up. It is such a difficult time when your pet is missing. There are pet tracker's out there. Some have searched dogs, some have drones. Put a small shelter outside with some of your worn clothes in it so if they do come back, they will hopefully use that as a safe space. (Do NOT put litter outside as it attracts other animals that want to mark the territory) Scared cats hide in silence, just because you don't see or hear your cat does not mean they are not right there. Flyers must go up and you should call and visit in person nearby shelters and vet hospitals. Put flyers in mailboxes and up around the neighborhood too. Let the local vets know and even go to the shelter that takes in animals from your town. Leave a flyer with both. Also every town has a TNR they feed feral and stray cats find out where they are and check; a lot of cats were found at the feeding stations. It is such a difficult time when your pet is missing. There are pet tracker's out there. Some have searched dogs, some have drones, but there are also plenty of scammers. You can potentially find trackers on Facebook. But do research to make sure they're legitimate. Good luck! And definitely contact a pet tracker Good luck and don't give up!

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