North Ridgeville, OH Lost Male Cat, Ollie Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Kelly C.

2 months ago

Put out something that he's familiar with that carries his scent (a bed, a blanket but NOT a litterbox). CALL FOR HIM IN THE QUIET, STILL HOURS (11pm-7am). THIS IS SO IMPORTANT (5am seems to be the luckiest hour)!!!!!!! Scared cats move around while the rest of the world is still. Put out food in intervals (not at night) when you can keep an eye out. Talk to your neighbors, generally, they don't go far and find an open garage or shed to huddle down. If these suggestions don’t work: lost pet cats may not respond the way you’d expect your beloved kitty to and they may not just come to your calling so be prepared to have to use a humane trap (he will return to himself once he’s back inside) and put signs in your local pet store (if someone takes him in they will need litter and food). I hope you find him 🍀

Melissa A.

2 months ago

I copy & paste my tips, so some may not apply. Most of the time, they will not stray too far from home. I went out at dusk, during the night, and at dawn (when they are most active) and called my cat's name softly and spoke to them. That helped - Munch was hiding under my next door neighbor's back deck. Munch is a talker in the house; I was finally able to get him to talk to me again. Look at your surrounding neighbors' yards - are there any spots/openings that would provide protection from the weather? We put out kibble, water, his litter box, and an article clothing from each of us with our scent on it next to the kibble, sprinkled with some catnip. There are different traps. We were about to use a drop trap when I caught Munch by hand. If you have cameras outside, use them for surveillance. That's how we found out where and approximately what times Munch was most active. My husband and best friend went door to door with the flyers and spoke with our neighbors (I was working the social media). I also called all the local vets to inquire if a kitty like Munch was brought in and emailed them Munch's flyer so they were on the alert of him missing. Same with local rescues. One recommended putting out more than one trap. When it goes below freezing, their paw pads can freeze to the metal cage. If you can afford it, I highly recommend using the PawBoost Alerts. We paid for the Facebook post, Instagram ad, and the comparing our kitty to the found animals they come across. I received a few calls - and a lot of shares online. Got one scammer - so be careful. I know some of these tips are repetitive, but I wanted to share because I feel these tips were instrumental in helping to bring Munch home. Sending pawsitive vibes and hugs. We know the nightmare you are going through. We are praying you find your kitty ASAP. ❤️🐾❤️

Carol M.

2 months ago

Shared!!! ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🐱🐱🐱

Bill J.

2 months ago

Tips for finding your lost kitty I'm sure he/she is hiding nearby or could have been accidentally locked in a neighbor's garage - talk to all neighbors in a several block radius. Posters are helpful and do notify police and animal shelters.. Most importantly, I would get a chair, a bowl of her/his favorite food or tuna, a used poopbox for scent, and stay outside your door in that chair tonight and every night until he/she comes home. You must monitor the poopbox! The scent of poopboxes attracts predators like wild dogs and coyotes and most experts suggest caution. In my advice post I specify that you must remain outside to monitor the poopbox. Animals can smell these a mile away and the last thing you want is to lure your kitty into a coyote ambush. Here’s a recent joyous post discussing a lost kitty who was found: "Thank you all for help in finding Patty! She was found by kind neighbors a street over. She was stuck in a tree. Patty is getting all the love, dinner, fresh water, and all the attention.” Thank you Patty for reminding us to look in all possible places including high trees and utility poles especially at night. Kitties can climb up a tree or pole to escape from a predator often in the middle of the night when they are active. And here’s another story that might be helpful about beautiful Ella of Parma Heights in Ohio. Here’s what her CatMom Carolyn told us: We noticed our cat Ella was missing about 8 a.m. We searched the entire house, and surrounding property and walked around our neighbors homes. Posted pictures of her and talked to neighbors. Then after canvassing the neighborhood, we heard Ella meowing in a bedroom around 8 that evening. Ella was in a dresser drawer! Picture a mostly black cat on top of black exercise clothes. She was accidentally shut in by her CatMom early that morning. She will now be wearing a neon colored collar. Thank you beautiful Ella! Your traumatic experience in the drawer may very well now rescue other kitties with a fondness for soft people clothes. Thank you! <3 And the we read this from Shayna in the Akron area: WE FOUND NALA!!! Thank the Lord!! Turns out she was in our bat walls this whole time. I was downstairs playing with the kids and heard scratching on the walls. There’s a small hole in our ceiling but what we didn’t know is there’s a little gap that she must have fallen through. We had to bust open a wall but thank goodness we found her. She’s doing well. She’s been eating, drinking and asking for all the snuggles. <3 Back to the task at hand - Yes, I know it’s cold tonight but so is it cold for your baby – just bring blankets and a warm hat. Cats hide during the day but will come out late at night when they feel its safe. You need to be there when she/he comes back because he/she will not hang around and wait for you. Be patient and call her/him by name often. This will require some work and inconvenience but it will be well worth the effort.

Marlene B.

2 months ago

I would put his litter box outside, under cover, along with some really smelly cat food and some clothes you wore recently to attract him. Keep an eye on it. Some people say not to put the box/food out because it might attract predators. I have known it to work. Check carefully around the outside of your house and your neighbors’ houses. Cats don't usually go far initially and they can tuck themselves into unbelievably small and unusual spaces. One person found her cat hiding in the grill on her patio after searching for three days. Go out late at night when it's quiet and call him softly. Make large, easily read flyers and post them around your neighborhood with the cat’s picture and your contact info. Post a lost ad on nextdoor.com. Ask your neighbors to check garages, sheds, under decks - anywhere a cat can hide and get shut in. Borrow a trap from a shelter or vet. Don’t give up. Good luck!

Mark W.

2 months ago

Look under houses in the crawl spaces

Sharon K.

2 months ago

🙏🙏🙏

Sonja S.

2 months ago

Shared ! Check with your neighbors. Ask them to check their garages, sheds anywhere Ollie could be hiding to keep warm or got locked in 🙏🐾

Rita P.

2 months ago

Get a heated Cat Bin, shelter for her to come home to. Put smells inside.. chicken, her blanket and set it near where she would have gotten out. Cats follow smells.. Put your clothes nearby. open a side or and back door and put the food right inside, a few inches. cooked chicken has a strong smell. Cat nip does too

Sandra H.

2 months ago

Lost Cat Recovery Checklist Immediate Actions ■ Start searching close to where she got out (cats usually hide nearby). ■ Check high & low hiding spots: under cars, porches/decks, shrubs, garages, sheds. ■ Ask neighbors to check open garages/sheds and closed spaces before shutting doors. Best Times to Search ■ Search during quiet/dark hours (best: 12am–7am, especially 1–6am). ■ Use a strong flashlight at night to spot eye reflection. Calling & Approaching ■ Call for her during still hours (overnight/early morning). ■ If you see her: stay calm and quiet (don’t chase). Scent Lures (Safe Options) ■ Put outside: her bed/blanket or your unwashed clothing/bedding. ■ Place scent items near the trap and/or leading toward the door. ■ Do NOT place a litter box outside (can attract predators such as coyotes). Food / Feeding Station ■ Set up a feeding station and feed during the day only. ■ Do NOT leave food out overnight (attracts wildlife & scares cats off). Humane Trap (Highly Recommended) ■ Get a live/humane trap ASAP. ■ Use food only inside the trap (don’t leave food elsewhere). ■ Cover trap with a tarp/blanket for safety and comfort. ■ Check trap frequently—never leave it unattended overnight. ■ In harsh weather: check every 30 minutes. Outreach (Very Important) ■ Post flyers around the neighborhood with phone number (day/night contact). ■ Bring flyers to local vets, shelters (go in person every few days if possible), and pet stores. ■ Tell your mail carrier (they notice roaming pets). ■ Ask known stray feeders/rescuers if they’ve seen her. Mindset ■ Keep checking at different times daily. ■ Don’t give up—cats can be found weeks or months later

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