My cat is gone, and I can't find him!!!!!?

[PatriciaJeremy]

Last night I went through the house to lock all the doors before going to bed, and for some reason my back door was wide open. I guess one of my kids left it open. I closed it and locked it. I checked my kids room to make sure they were both there. They were. Then I had them help me find the cat. We searched the whole house last night and couldn't find him anywhere. It was pouring down rain last night. I even went outside and got soaked so I could look under the car and call him and everything. Then after calling him for half an hour, I gave up and came back in. This morning, I woke up, and looked for him in the house again. Then I went outside and looked for him again. I looked everywhere. I still can't find him anywhere. I'm scared my neighbor's dogs might have gotten him. He is a pretty mean and strong cat, but I don't think he would make it if he got in a fight with two pitbulls. He gets along with my pitbull, but mine is nice. My neighbor's pitbulls are mean to animals. They are great with people, but they hate other dogs and cats. I'm freaking out. I asked all of my neighbors if they had seen him, but nobody has. We just got him and he has never been outside here before. I'm scared he might be lost and not be able to find his way back home. I don't see why he went out while it was pouring down rain though. Cats are supposed to hate water. So that kinda makes me think he is still inside, but I looked everywhere in the house too. What do I do? Has anything like this happened to you before? What would you do?

[basabi_ban906]

no. i didnt have this kind of experience. my cats are fine within or out of the house. but i share your feelings. but i dont think you are going to get it back. he must have lost his way.but if it comes back will you please let us know in this column?

[Bev062]

About a year ago, one of my cats got out of the house also. He was strictly inside. But he was crafty and learned how to open the screen door. He disappeared for 2 or 3 days. I panicked, naturally. Even though I did have some outside cats, but they lived in the downstairs part of the house. My room was separate. Even though it was raining, cats will still venture out. They may not be happy about it, but they will. But if you just now adopted him, I would be wary of the bond you two have. If you haven't earned his trust just yet, it might be hard for him to come back. Keep an eye out for him, he'll eventually return if he wants to. Cats love the outdoors. They'll do anything to get out. But, on the wary side, I wouldn't have your kids go out and venture to find him. Just in case of "you-know-what" with those pits nearby. Or in case of the roadways. Cats aren't too good at playing chicken with a moving car.

Keep calling for him, set food out. If he wants to come back home, he will.

[Sweetness812]

cats are very smart they still have the sense of smell of your sense of smell they can find there way home by being miles away.. unless someone pick up your cat, which we hope not.. just give faith that your cat will come home.. they are very smart. don't be surprised if your cat shows up at your door..

[jfreake2004]

Oh, honey I'm so sorry this happened! I hope he comes home soon!

What you can do is keep on circling your house several times a day and going in and out through all of the doors to your home. This will leave your scent and he may be able to find his way back by catching your scent. Keep doing this until you find him.

Set out fresh food and water to try to lure him back home.

I'm praying that the pitbulls didn't encounter him as well! Keep us posted and I hope you find him!

I have two cats who are indoor cats but even when they escape out into the hallway, they know where my apartment is.

[KatC610]

My cat was missing for 9 weeks - this is what we learned:
Remain calm.
Consult and follow the advice at www.lostapet.org[1]. If your cat is normally indoor-only, and has escaped outdoors, he will most often stay very close to where he got out. He'll hide in the nearest place he sees - under a porch, shed, inside a garage. Unless chased or forced to leave by hunger, he will stay there.
If yours is an indoor/outdoor cat, cats are curious and active creatures, so it's not uncommon for them to go astray once in awhile. It's possible that your cat is nearby and just preoccupied, but if your cat has wandered off or is in danger, panicking will reduce your likelihood of finding it.
Don't delay looking for your cat. The longer the cat is gone, the further away it may be. Statistics show that owners don't start looking for their cat for several days. If your cat has been taken to a crowded shelter or municipal pound, and they may only be able to hold cats for a few days before euthanizing him/her.
Retrace their steps. Think back to when you last saw your cat and recount what events have taken place since then. Did you open the door at all? Did you open the doors to any rooms that you've since shut? Ask anyone in the house, as well as your neighbours, when and where was the last time they saw the cat.
Narrow the search. Look in and around the areas the cat was last seen. It's particularly important to look for hiding spots. When cats find themselves in unfamiliar places, they usually become scared and hide. If you're looking outside, check underneath nearby cars or other nice hiding spots, like underneath barbecues, and patios. Unfortunately, on occasion a frightened cat may climb underneath a car or climb onto the engine of a warm car. Cats are also known to climb trees and get stuck. Indoors, look underneath beds, or in boxes or other accessible hiding spots. You may even want to check unlikely places such as dryers, cupboards, and even refrigerators, ovens and freezers.
Also, if your house has stairs, search under the stairs and under the porch. You may have to crawl around the area if he?s hiding in the darkness. Use a flashlight. Likewise, check the back of the house if you have a basement crawl space or any basement window areas. Look in piles of leaves and any debris near your house. Look around the garbage cans. If you have any brush around your house, areas of thick plants and tall grass, check those areas very carefully. Look behind tall plants and trees, especially those growing near your house. Move the tall grass around. He is more likely to be in there than in open areas like lawns.
Call your cat. Tempt your cat out of hiding or back home by calling it and offering it treats. If your cat is an outdoor cat or if it's possible it got loose outside, place some of its food in a dish outside of your door. Make the sounds that usually get it to come to you, such as shaking treats in a can or whistling; however, be aware that some cats in a state of distress may not come to your calls.
Stop and listen regularly. A cat that is trapped, hurt or hungry will likely "meow," so whether you're searching by yourself or with a group, take a few minutes in every area you search to listen quietly and attentively for the cat calling out.
Call for reinforcements. Call your friends to come over and expand the search. With more people looking, you can increase your odds of tracking down your cat. However, be sure to warn them that if they do spot the cat, they must remain quiet and not make any sudden movements, or else they may just spook the cat away again. It's usually best if the owner approaches the cat, especially if the cat is skittish to begin with.
Call the SPCA. Usually if someone comes across a lost cat, they'll report it to the SPCA, Animal Control or your local equivalent. Call your local animal shelter and report your cat has gone missing along with all the relevant details (sex of the cat, colour, and your contact information). Visit them every day or two until your cat is found, as sometimes shelters have many cats and have a difficult time matching your description to what they have. It's also important to check the local shelter very often as they may only keep lost pets for a few days until they put them to sleep.
Notify your local police department. Police get calls about found animals. Officers who spend their day driving around might notice your cat. Motivate them: Offer a reward to their favorite charity, bring cookies.
Distribute fliers in your neighbourhood. If your cat is missing for more than a few hours, talk to your neighbours and make fliers to put in their paperboxes or under door handles. Put your name, your phone number, and if you can, a photo of your cat on the flier. If your neighbours are aware your cat is lost, they'll know to contact you if they see it around. Include relevant information about any specific dietary or medical conditions your cat might have. I

[BirdyB]

If he is not neutered they will often rpam I would suggest putting up lost cat posters or check with your local shelter

[Laurie228]

You said that you just got him. How long has it actually been. If you have had him at least a month and he is neutered, he should have the scent. If less time, he may have just wandered out and is unfamiliar and lost. I would put his food on the porch and back patio and keep calling. He may just be roaming the neighborhood. Get in the car and drive around the neighborhood a few blocks in all directions. Post signs everywhere. If it has stopped raining and he is outside he will leave the shelter that he used for the night and will be walking around. Best wishes and hope your cat returns soon.
If he is in the house, look back in closets, dresser drawers as they will climb up from behind, under the box spring lining of the bed, and under recliners.
Some questions. Is he neutered? If not he may have picked up the scent of a female. Did you get him from someone nearby or in another city? Some times cats will try to return to their old home. I had a cat that did this. After several weeks I found her limping down the street of our new home. I couldn't believe that she had returned. The neighobrs at the old address had seen her.

[bridey305]

Contact your local humane society and pound to give a missing pet report. Some humane societies wil post the lost pet on the internet to subscribers in your zip code to be on alert. Post BIG signs with a clear picture. Put them in every mailbox, and at your local grocery
Take his food bucket out, keep looking for him. Look in window wells of homes

[Savannah542]

I would personally leave some food out for him. Don't give up yet. You could also try fliers or the local animal shelter if you want. I really hope you find your cat.