UPDATE: I’m very happy to say my happy lil asshat is home. Came right in like nothing happened and was a bit upset when he was scooped into a hug. Thank you very much to all of you for the support and advice!
I’m not sure where to post this. I live in Bellingham, Washington, and my ESA cat, Soot, slipped out this morning while I was taking my kid to the bus at around 8:20-30 AM.
He’s 5 years old, mostly mute, and has green eyes. He’s mostly white except for his black ears and tail. Soot is an indoor-only cat with no outside skills. He’s shy and cautious but not aggressive. He’s a bit tubby and has a stuffy nose from allergies at the moment.
I’m just trying everything I can to find him, so I hope this post is allowed. If it needs to be deleted, I understand.
Print flyers with a non-declared reward at the top. Tell people to call or text you anytime. Take a friend, go door to door, and ask to check in and under all structures nearby. If people don’t answer, leave a flyer under their doormat or slip it into the screen door. Most people will be cat people and will help if they see something. Your kitty is probably within a block or two. Also, check out the Pawboost website to post a free ad. They’ll put it on FB and IG locally for you.
Cats tend to be most active in the evening and early morning. After dark, go around your neighborhood with a flashlight, shining it into bushes and under vehicles. You can catch the reflection of their eyes this way.
This is great advice. My floof has slipped out a few times. He was too startled to go far, and I always found him in the neighbor’s yard. Knock on your neighbors’ doors and ask to check sheds, garages, under bushes, trees, and cars. Don’t forget the neighbor behind you. Use a flashlight to scan all these areas at night to catch the reflection of his eyes.
If possible, leave the door he left through open so he can come back in. My cat escaped once, and after about 4 hours, she came back in through the same door. I learned my lesson, and I’m much more careful with doors now.
If you’re missing a cat, go out when it’s very quiet (late at night or early morning). Softly call them and rattle food in a bowl or open a can of wet food, stirring it up to make the smell stronger. Walk around with it slowly and don’t go too far from home. Cats might also respond to a laser pointer if you shine it around bushes or hiding spots. Their instinct to chase might kick in. Also, cup your hands behind your ears to amplify any sounds. Flashlights help too, even during the day, to catch the reflection of their eyes in hiding spots. Best of luck finding him!
@Zan
Great advice! I had a cat when I was younger who could only be caught with a laser pointer. Thankfully Soot is back, but I’ll remember this for the future.
Floyd said:
Try putting his litter box outside. Cats can pick up the scent and find their way back.
That’s a brilliant idea! I just set it outside the front door. I’ve also put some bedding out the back and left both doors open a bit so he can walk in.
@Bliss
You could also try leaving out smelly food like tuna. When my nana’s cat wandered off, she used to put out tuna and his litter box, and he’d always come back. Fingers crossed for you!
Let your neighbors know, if you haven’t already. Cats can get stuck in sheds or garages. Leaving out something that smells like home can help guide him back.
Jem said:
Let your neighbors know, if you haven’t already. Cats can get stuck in sheds or garages. Leaving out something that smells like home can help guide him back.
Great idea, thank you. I’ve already set out bedding and a litter box, and I’ll go door to door with my husband when he gets home.
I just went through something similar. My cat was out for three weeks, and she had no outdoor skills either. We had just moved, so she didn’t know the area. I put up a flyer with a $200 reward, and within an hour, some kids found her. She was in bad shape, but at least she was home. Good luck, I hope you find your baby. If you don’t have skunks or deer like I did, try leaving out some tuna. My gut told me to keep searching one spot, but she ended up being in the opposite direction—right under my nose the whole time.