:(I have two indoor cats that regularly go out on a screened porch. Never a problem until this a.m. I walked by the porch, didn't see them, but saw my 2 year old in the yard. Then I saw 2 busted out screens I know weren't there before. I managed to get the 2 year old, but can't find the 6 year old. They had only been out on the porch for 10-15 minutes.
My 6 yr. old is the more cautious and timid of the two, so I'm shocked he went out at all. I walked all over the front/back of yard calling his name and nothing. All the yards here are fenced, so it's hard for me to go far. It's also rainy today.
He wears a collar and tag, thank goodness, but he doesn't like strangers, only me so I worry he won't let a stranger rescue him. Can he find his way back if he's never been an outdoor cat? I can't believe he did this!
Immediately go out with a can of cat food, and with a fork, tap on the can and call his name, or shake a bottle of treats and call his name. If it is raining or just rained, look for paw prints, and grass blades that have flattened. Look in trees, on your roof, under porches, around and under anything in your yard and directly outside of your fence. Look under cars, and on neighbors' porches, etc. If you know your neighbors, immediately alert them your kitty may be near, give them a good description and your phone number. If your local animal shelter has a hotline, call them immediately and give them a description of your kitty, and if he has not returned by tomorrow, immediately place a lost and found ad in your local newspaper (should be free).
Stay out looking for him as long as possible, call his name, stop and listen for sounds of his tag, or meows, Go for longer distances (like a block or two) and circle back, calling his name all the while.
Don't stop looking, the first hours are the most critical, he could be very close by, hiding, and seeking shelter from the rain. On the offchance you haven't already, do check inside your home in the event he didn't get out at all.
Place a dish of food and water near your door/porch, with a yard light on at night. Look as often as you can, but mostly in early morning, and late night when the streets are quiet.
Close up the screens and check every screen in your home for wear and tear, and replace them immediately. Only keep windows open enough to allow enough fresh air in, but never enough for a cat to escape through. Check screens on a regular basis.
I had something similar happen to me... Was living with someone in their very old, very rickety house... With almost no air conditioning (just a swamp cooler on the other side of the house, which barely worked and people always left doors open which ruined the effect)... So we had to have the windows all the way open all the time and still almost died all the time... And one of the screens was loose (didn't realize that beforehand) and just popped completely out when I wasn't looking.
I'm still not sure if my kitten willingly went out, or just fell out accidentally when the screen popped out.
Also have no idea when it happened... Or how long he was out... Just noticed he was gone right before bed time (thank goodness I noticed before going to sleep... ::shudders:) and found the window popped out... And went hysterical.
Went outside and called him and called him and called him... Don't know how long I did it, it felt like forever... And finally he came creeping out from underneath something that was barely 10 feet from the window he fell out of.
So there's definitely hope your kitty is closer than you think... Definitely don't give up, and I think Traci's advice is good.
Quite a few years ago, my Gump slipped out the door...he was not found by the time I got home from work...I spent all evening calling for him...searching....
we live on 3 acres in the country with fields on either side of our acreage and a creek and woods at the far end, so he could have gone anywhere...
I could not sleep....I got up a little after midnight and was looking out the bedroom window when I was sure I saw a dark spot slowly slinking along the ground...
I went and sat on the front porch and gently called his name...after about 15 minutes I saw him begin to slink towards me...belly down because he was terrified...
I did not move...I did not talk louder...I did not shout....I did not want to scare him away again...
I kept gently talking to him and cooing to him until he managed to slink all the way onto the porch and into my lap....only then did I move my arms to hold him and carry him back into the house...
A thing to remember as well...for the short time he was outside....he managed to bring fleas back in with him and infest the others and my house...
so be sure to get Frontline for Cats from your VET and apply to your kitties if you do not do so already since they are indoor only...
good luck and let us know how he is doing when he comes home
Thanks for all your advice. Still no sign of him. I've searched outside several different times today. I hope it's not raining tonight--I think he would be more likely to appear if he's still close by. He is timid, so I hope he will feel more comfortable approaching the house in the dark. I plan to sit outside for awhile tonight.
I've also alerted animal control (which is pretty good in my area), and posted lost and found on the internet.
I'm heartsick. I know he's terrified--he acts tough but is really a wimp at heart. I'm so upset I called in sick today and I cry most of the time. I'm mad at myself for being stupid and naive about the screens. He's had urinary tract problems before also, and I worry about the stress bringing another onset while he's lost. Please pray for Stuart to come back to me.
Do not give up, go out and call to him every single chance you get, for hours if necessary. Remember to listen for his tag on his collar, or rustles in the grass/bushes, etc...is YOUR yard fenced? If so, look along the fence lines in case he is trying to get back inside the fence. Again, look up in trees, under bushes, etc. At night, take a flashlight with you and look around, cats eyes sometimes shine brightly when the light of a flashlight hits the eyes. Don't forget to look on the roof, or under decks, porches, anything else in your yard, look in your neighbor's yard too if they have decks, etc.
A woman in another forum, her family had had a fire last year, they had had two cats and one was found and the other wasnt. Well after a long long time of waiting and weeks and weeks they found kitty. Please do not give up.
Remember he is terrified and will come out when he thinks it is safe. Go out tonight very late and see if he will come to you. Keep doing it , just be gentle and after you take your general look around everywhere be still and click your tongue or call him softly. Stinky tuna works well, anything stinky works well. If he runs when he hears the can opener(my cat use to love that sound of that electric canopener) then take an extention cord and bring it outside with a can of food and use it and see if he might come, but do it late at night.
Prayers that Stuart will be safe while out there and found soon. As soon as you find him or he comes to you please make sure you check him carefully for wounds and be careful.. I am not sure what is out there or what vacines he has against things. Make him as comfortable as possible but for now keep him away from the other cat. If you have a cat carrier try to gently put him in there and bring him straight to the vet. If you find anything out of the orinary about his behavior please use caution. Do not get yourself bit or scratched by him.
(((((((((((((((STUART)))))))))))))))
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Whew! I found him about 6:00 a.m. I heard him at the front of the house underneath a bay window overhang. I couldn't get him to come to me, all he would do is cry. So I got down in the mud and pouring rain and he let me grab onto him and drag him out.
He appears to be in great shape. I combed him forever to pull out the funky stuff in his fur, fed him a little wet food, and he's used the litter box. He did lose his collar though--glad he didn't go far. My little cat is hissing at him and getting used to him again but I'm not worried. I'll need to get some flea stuff from the vet--that I'm concerned about. Oh and I'll be cleaning all the mud I tracked in, but for once I will happily do that!
Thanks so much for your concern, advice, and well wishes! Oh happy day, Stu and I are so glad to be reunited!!!!
Don't use flea products on him unless you've had him examined by the vet to determine if he even had a chance to get fleas. If your vet finds any fleas, then only Advantage or Frontline for cats by your vet, and he may suggest treating your other cat too, but neither is necessary if there is no evidence of fleas.
Check your screens, and don't let the cats in the porch until those screens are fixed and/or reinforced. In the future, check them daily for any signs of wear and tear and fix immediately before allowing your cats in the porch again. Also, be sure neighbor pets or other wild critters aren't getting into your yard and tearing those screens.
Whew! I found him about 6:00 a.m. I heard him at the front of the house underneath a bay window overhang. I couldn't get him to come to me, all he would do is cry. So I got down in the mud and pouring rain and he let me grab onto him and drag him out.