Temecula, CA Lost Male Cat, Benji Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Kimm L.

2 months ago

HOW TO FIND YOUR LOST CAT - “Indoor only" cats never wander far from their home. When they get out, they go into survival mode and hide in SILENCE. Despite all attempts, they will NOT respond to you. Cats that get out will typically become afraid. When afraid, they will seek safe haven under a deck/house, an opened garage (keep your garage door opened a crack) or in a bush. Sadly they will not meow when called as meowing would give up their location to a predator. This behavior has nothing to do with whether the cat loves you, whether it recognized your voice, or whether it can smell you...it has everything to do with the fact that a frightened cat will hide in silence. You have the highest chance of finding your cat by conducting an aggressive, physical search of your yard and your neighbor’s yards. Late at night and EARLY in the morning (2 - 4 am) is the best time to find a missing "indoor only" cat. Don't give up! It can take WEEKS to find a missing "indoor only" cat. Use a flashlight late at night and look in trees, under cars and in bushes. Try to look for the glow of his eyes. While some cats may return within a few hours or days, others may take up to 10-12 days before they break their cover. Once their hunger and thirst gets to a maximum, they snap out of it but this is a dangerous time because they then come out of hiding and are at risk of predators. If possible, leave the door or window open from which they escaped. Make mini flyers and hand them out to your neighbors. Most people don't pay attention to posted flyers. It's very important that you continue to look for him EVERY night, as late as possible. Research shows that he’s close by. Don't give up! Interestingly...The new evidence is to NOT leave the litter box out as it can attract aggressive cats or other predators which can displace the cat further from its home. Cat litter attracts predators. In fact, some coyote trappers use cat litter as bait. Ever wonder why cats bury their waste? They don't want to advertise their presence to predators! A litter box placed or sprinkled around the home may put your cat at risk of being ed by a predator before you can get him back in the house. You can also put some of your recently worn unwashed clothing, pillowcases, etc., that has your scent on it in a box on top of a blanket or towels outside your door in case your kitty comes home while you are not there and it has a place to bunker down. There is no single trick to recovering a lost “indoor only” cat, but there are methods that are highly effective. Use ALL of them! Praying your kitty returns soon or is found safely. 🙏🙏🙏 you may also want to check your shelter in person as they don’t always list found intake cats on their website.

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