Rockford, IL Lost Male Cat, Spooks Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

J V.

3 weeks ago

Neighbor told me a few days ago there was a black cat in her backyard on Luther ave a few days ago but l didn't get a look at it... will keep my eyes open..

Katharine R.

3 weeks ago

It might be worth trying to trap him. You can trap during the day or at night. Use nice bait like sardines or tuna or rotisserie or KFC chicken in a dish you place at the back of the trap. Drop a few small pieces of bait at the front and on the floor of the trap to lead him to the back of the trap. Drape a towel on top of the trap so the cat can see out of both ends. Place the trap near some bushes on perimeter of yard or next to house… not out in the open… cats walk along sides of things. Best to position it so you can see and hear if it was sprung from your house. You can put one of his blankets, newspapers,cardboard or a puppy pad on the floor of the cage. If you’ve been leaving food out and it’s being eaten, don’t leave food out before the time you want to trap him as you want him to be hungry. Have a sheet or large towel handy to cover the entire trap as soon as he goes in it as it calms them down right away. Never leave it outside or set when you are not home or awake to keep an eye on it and can listen for when an animal goes in it. Harbour Freight has traps for $20 or PAWS, 7282 N Cherryvale Mall Dr, has traps you can rent for a $20 refundable fee. I think they only take cash. They are open M &T 11-3, closed Wed & Sun, Th-Sat 11-3. 815-299-7297.

Katharine R.

3 weeks ago

Michele’s tips are excellent. I have a few added suggestions. Spooks is a cutie and I hope he’s home soon. Go outside with a flashlight and shine it in the grass, in bushes, under decks, porches, crawl spaces, window wells, in garages, under cars, up in the trees, across the street in bushes and look for his eyes to reflect back at you. Go outside and listen for sounds of movement. Walk around the neighborhood and call him. He is probably nearby. If you can, get a trail camera to help see if he is in your yard at night. Ask permission for you to go and check in several of your neighbors’ garages on either side of your house in case he was locked inside and is afraid to come out. Check their yards, sheds, window wells, under porches, under the house and up in their trees too. Crack open your garage for him to come back inside. Put some of his used bedding just inside the open door with a dish of water. If you put out food or treats, put the food dish in a saucer of water so ants can’t reach the food. Cats lost outside usually stay quiet because they are hiding from potential predators. Look down in the storm sewers too because cats can jump down there to get away from a car or predator. Check under cars near your home. Check out your doors from time to time at night, especially between 1-5 am, in case he is trying to come back inside. Open the door, call him quietly and listen for movement or sounds as he may need a minute to come out of hiding. Try holding a door open for him to come in when you are calling him. Put up flyers with his photo and give one to your neighbors and to your mail person who goes all over the neighborhood. Keep checking at Animal Services in person every day if possible to see if he was brought in there. If your lost cat was not microchipped and wasn’t wearing a rabies tag, it will only be held for 24 hrs. and then put up for adoption. They give these cats a new name when they come in without identification, so don’t look for your cat by name if it wasn’t chipped or vaccinated. Also check the online adoptable cats everyday as they do take cats to PetSmarts in Wisconsin. Animal Service’s hours are M 11-7, T-F 11-5, Sat 11-4, closed Sunday. Check the listings for adoptable cats at the area rescues like Noah’s Ark, TAILS, PAWS and Friends Forever in case he was taken to one of them. If he is chipped, notify the chip company that he is lost and be sure they have your correct contact info. Post his photo as a lost cat on Next Door, Lost Dogs/Cats in Rockford and What’s Happening Rocford on Facebook and on winnebagoanimals.org. Don’t put out the litter box as it will attract predators or at least take it in at night. Instead, put out clothes belonging to his favorite person(s). That will be familiar and help him get home. Most people who find a cat are good about getting it right back to the owner. If you are offering a reward, you may be contacted by scammers. * A scammer may request payment before showing any proof they have the pet. * Provide vague or manipulated images (can use AI to alter your own photos to look like they have the pet.) * Refuse to meet or allow you to see the pet unless you send money upfront * Ask to communicate outside of normal channels. Telegram is often used to scam people. These are tips from Pawboost on how you handle the scammers: * Ask detailed questions about your cat’s unique characteristics that aren’t shared publicly. Scammers typically can’t answer this * Have them take a photo or a video with your pet, showing a hand gesture that you ask them to make to prove they have your pet in real time. * Verify contact information. Be cautious if someone refuses to meet in a public location or communicate through traceable methods. * Please be careful with anyone claiming to have your cat and asking for a 6 digit google code to prove you are a human. It is a scam and in full force. * Beware of anyone asking for money for your cat back. NEVER send money until you have possession of your cat. Please disregard no matter how persistent the scammers are!

Tyler T.

3 weeks ago

Where was it lost ?

Michele S.

3 weeks ago

Hopefully, some of these tips can help you, even though your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat. ** Time is of the essence, for finding your lost cat. ** Your cat is probably nearby. Indoor cats usually find a hiding spot very quickly, and very close to where they escaped. Look up in the trees, and check under everything in YOUR YARD first… under decks, bushes, wood piles and sheds. Then check your neighbors yards. The best time to find your cat is at night, with a flashlight, when their eyes glow back at you. ***If your cat is scared, it will not respond to you calling him/her, so you'll have to use your eyes instead of your ears. *** ***When inside cats are suddenly outside, they can go into "survival mode,” and their entire personality changes.*** They, generally, will NOT wander. At least, not at first. (Unless they are not neutered/spayed.) Make sure to leave food and fresh water outside, in case they come out of hiding at night. Canned tuna (packed in oil) is nice and smelly. Also, a piece of your "worn" clothing, with your scent on it left outside, along with their bedding, with their scent on it, will definitely help. And, if you have a container or bag of treats that they really like.. shake it outside for your cat to hear. Also, leave your garage door or a window open a few inches in case it comes back at night. (5-7 inches.) [A special consideration in the cold weather, is to please CHECK UNDER THE HOOD of your vehicle! Oftentimes, a cat, especially an indoor only one, will seek out shelter or warmth in the engine area of your car. Do not start your vehicle, until you’ve checked! It is oftentimes fatal to your feline!] Hoping you find your cat very soon! ♥️ MS🐈

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