Rachel G.
3 years ago
From lots of personal exp, if a cat finds itself outside alone in an unfamiliar situation who isn't used to being outside, they will be EXTREMELY scared & will seek the NEAREST place where they can hide (normally within 1 block of their home) & will not move from that hiding area for several days. They WILL NOT come out of hiding if they hear your voice or see you within 2 feet because they are hiding for their life from unknown predators that may be nearby. Best way to find them is wait till it's dark & quiet outside & walk the neighborhood with a bright flashlight. Shine the light under bushes, decks, raised platforms, anywhere they could hide from unknown possible predators and protect their flanks . When the light from the flashlight hits an animals eyes, they shine very brightly & we can easily see where an animal is that otherwise you wouldn't be able to without shining light when it's dark. When you do see reflected light from an animals eyes, approach cautiously because it might not be your kitty. Thankfully, when a light hits their eyes, they typically stay where they are & don't move. Approach quietly while softly saying the pets name. If it isn't your kitty, it will tend to dart away when you get within a cpl feet. If it is your kitty, it will remain silent without any movement & allow you to pick it up & take it home. They tend to stay in that first hiding spot for 4-7 days & won't even leave it for short times to search for food from fear of possible predators. When cats find themselves in an unfamiliar location outside alone they will quickly try to make themselves as invisible as possible while desperately searching for the NEAREST place they can hide in. So look at where they got out for nearest solid wall or row of bushes or something similar that they could keep next to in order to try to protect at least one side of their body while searching for NEAREST place to hide. Follow that path & shine flashlight at any nearby area that the kitty could hide itself & be able to watch its surroundings for any predators or other animals that might approach its hiding area. They won't go into neighbors back yards unless that path goes that direction & they haven't found a hiding place closer.
Do not put their litter box outside by doorway! That would attract other wildlife there & if kitty does come home on its own, if it sees unfamiliar animals it will run away from the area & find another hiding place.
When it gets very quiet (no vehicle or people sounds) they will tend to come out from hiding area a tiny bit in order to better see their surroundings & potential predators/danger which will improve odds that your light will hit their eyes while shining it in the area. I usually go searching between 10:30-1 am & again between 2-4:30 am. Prayers that your kitty is safely back home very soon.
