O/T - Furbaby GONE!!

Felicia, I think Pink has the right idea. If your indoor cat is scared at being outside and every noise frightens her, she may act very much like a feral.

I work with ferals quite a bit. Some of these wild cats have better manners when tamed than the best of house cats. But any cat that's freaked out can react unpredictably. 

If you find her and reach out to pick her up, she may react in an unexpected way--out of fear. Be prepared if she suddenly begins to scratch, bite and do whatever she can to escape. She may recognize you but she may also be on high alert for danger with all the stress hormones in control over her normal nature. I second the idea of carrying a cat carrier. If you get her into one, it's the safest way for her (and you) to go home.

If you find her and can get a firm hold on the scruff of her neck, you're in a good position to put even a fighting cat into a a carrier. Tip the carrier on end with the door open. Then lower her into the upright cage. By holding her in the air and putting the back feet in first, she can't see the edges of the doorway to resist. 

That's pretty much a worst-case scenario, though. 

If you think she's coming back at night to eat, you may have greater luck with the live trap idea. Havahart is the brand I use and you can get them for about $35-45. Here's a good sized one on amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Havahart-Livecatch-Collapsible-Raccoon-Trap/dp/B0000AVYWM/ref=pd_bbs_3/105-3736357-9558028?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1192907373&sr=8-3 

Lay some plastic on your porch that's larger than the trap. Lay newspaper over the plastic. Set the trap up with tuna or other fragrant food so that she has to step on the trigger plate to reach it. It may be a good idea to put the trap out in the afternoon and take it down when you go to bed. That way, you won't trap her and leave her caught in the 'open' all night. It may also good to drape at least the back third of the trap with a towel so she has a place to hide.

This may sound obvious, but don't let her out of the trap until she's inside and in familiar territory. Most cats will walk into a live trap only once. 

Good luck! I'm hoping hard for her safe return. 

Lexie, I have a 16 yo cat and the thought of your 14 yo being out there gives me an awful feeling in the bit of my stomach. I've been thinking about your cat and Felicia's so much.

Ouuhh, Felicia, I feel bad about this.  I was hoping your last message would be good news.

I thing you need to take POSITIVE ACTION now.  If the sighting of the cat was not yours, then you need to get out in the neighborhood, with pictures, and talk to the neighbors.  Someone may have stolen your beautiful cat.  Make a flier, with a picture, go around the neighborhood with your children, knock on doors.  Leave fliers all over and with all the neighbors. I found a kitten once and found its owner after almost a week of absence by knocking on doors.

OR...if you think your cat is still on its own, you've got to realize that it is very hungry and desperate.  I don't know if s/he knows how to hunt, if she's starving or what is going on.   I cannot believe she wouldn't come home if she could.   Buy a Hav a Heart trap and put it some place where she's bound to lurk,fill it with wonderful food, like tuna.

Final tip...once when I took a cat to the vet...many years ago in rural Va., we didn't have a cat carrier and the cat got loose from arms and ran into a large wooded area across the street.  I thought I'd lost her forever.  But the cat caretaker, a very old guy who seemed to understand cats better than anyone I ever knew, told me to come back at dusk and wait quietly.  Well I did, she came back, and I got her back.

Good luck!!!  I hope we hear some good news soon.

Mizzy 

PS...BTW...if you don't have a trap I do...I can ship it pronto if need be. 

Don't give up too soon.  Some years ago our cat Sarah went missing and we searched and called and posted notices - but nothing.  I checked the Humane Society every other day for a while and then weekly for a while - but nothing.  The staff there were beginning to wonder about me and I was beginning to wonder about myself, but I decided to give it one last try and there she was!!

Both the cat and I were in transports of joy and the attendent was stunned.  She'd been missing for over 2 months.  He said he had never had a pet recovered after that long.  If the cat hadn't so obviously known me, I don't think he would have believed she was our cat.

She looked pretty good, I'm sure that someone had been feeding her.  Or maybe she had just been at an extended kitty convention.

Felicia,

I am becoming a little less optimistic myself. I keep telling myself that a nice lady has found her and she is eating some nice fancy feast in a pretty crystal dish. It helps me feel a little less guilty about her disappearance. But, we can't lose hope sister.

Hugs,

Lexi

Just wishing so hard for good news for both of you. I know what a mess I would be if my kitty was out and about. I really hope you get good news and your small furry purring creatures back in your homes soon. Jo

Felicia & Lexi,

I keep checking hoping for good news from both of you.  I'm thinking of you & your furbabies.

WooHoo....give her a hug and then tell her to STAY HOME and not worry her mom.  I am so glad she is safe

Deb C

AWESOME, FELICIA!!!!!!!!

Yes, we will still be praying for Lexi's furbaby.

Yay Felicia!! I am so happy and relieved for you!! I am sure that she is very happy to be back at home with her family.

No sign of Mama Reba yet. We are still driving through the old neighborhood to see if she is there. I just ran in to an old neighbor who is keeping his eyes open for her. Thank you all for your prayers. I do just hope that wherever she may be, that she isn't hurt or suffering.

Love,

Lexi

I'm so glad your Furbaby is back.

Better keep her away from the door in case she starts thinking she'll play this game again

I hope Lexi's baby makes it back soon.

Hi Felicia, I just stumble into this post. I'm hoping you've found your furbaby.  What a beautiful cat.  You might want to check with your neighbors again. This summer we had a cat come unto our deck she looked lost and hungry  We feed her and figured she'd be gone by morning but she wasn't so we fed her again and went to work.  When I came home she was still on the deck.  My daughter loves cats and wanted to keep her.  Later that day a neighbor who lives 2 streets away came looking for her.  She said the cat had gone missing 5 days earlier.  My daughter was upset but the neighbor was thrilled to get her well fed cat back.  I'm hoping you'll  be as fortunate.  Think good thoughts. I'm sure if she's still out there that someone has found her and she is being cared for.

Take care...

Felicia, that's great news!  I've been following the saga of your furbaby and hoping for the best.  I'm so glad that she's safe and sound and at home!