My cat's been gone for days

[staceychev]

Not sure if this is the right forum. I think I just need some commiseration from some pet owners.

My 13-year old Meike ran out of the house at 11 pm on Wednesday night and hasn't been home since. We've been calling animal control every day (they handle live animals and dead, so I guess it's good that they don't have him) and have put up posters and have been canvassing the neighborhood. He still hasn't come home.

He was in good health, so I don't think this was one of those "he's going off to die alone" situations. But, we got a dog two weeks ago, so it might be one of those "I hate you guys for doing this to me" situations.

When I was canvassing the neighborhood, a neighbor had to tell me about how her cat was just killed six months ago when someone threw anti-freeze on it. Oh, and how there's a rabid raccoon in the area. Thanks lady. I feel so much better. But my next door neighbor told me a story about her friend whose cat came home after three weeks, so I'm trying to hold on to that story.

I'm so sad. I wish I knew where to look.

[Jannah6]

Maybe check the shelter.

[SevenVeils]

Calling the shelter, while you would think that it should be a good thing to do, seldom gets an animal back. You really need to visit the shelter every. single. day and look carefully for your lost pet.

When I lost a dog several years ago in San Diego County, I had to make the rounds of five different shelters every day. With a young infant. I know it's a pain and can be difficult logistically, but it's the only way to ensure that your pet isn't there.

[staceychev]

He came home! We've had posters up all over, and have been tracking his path via helpful phonecalls from neighbors. A neighbor finally took him in tonight during a rain storm and DH picked him up. He's thin and tired and limping, but at least he's home!

[North_Of_60]

If there is really a wild animal in the area that has rabies it needs to be reported so it can be trapped, euthanized, and tested! Please call animal control and let them know! If they don't handle it, they'll know who to refer you too.

In the mean time, I think every cat owner should own a live trap and have a can of tuna on hand just for this. I used to chase my cat all over the back yard in my bare feet when she'd escape, cussing her out everytime I stepped on something, until I discovered the joy of plopping the trap down in the yard and watching her take the bait. She goes for the tuna every, single, time!

Of course, my cat could just be tuna crazy. But still, they're easy to store and are SO handy if you have a disappearing cat. Some cats will try to come home and get scared, so they'll hide somewhere close by, or only come out night, so you'll miss them while out looking for them. With the live trap you can tuck it back in a hedge or out behind a garage and you can almost be sure that if your cat is hanging around they'll take the bait after missing a meal or two.

[Jannah6]

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