Asked on the Cat Forum by AnnaLuvsCrabs on 1/21/2004, 5:05 am
Q: Missing Cat
I have a 6 year old black cat, who is now living outside after she decided to not use the litter box. She roams our yard and 2 of our neighbors yards (one who has cats, but my cat is spayed). In the winter, she stays near one of my neighbor's heater to stay warm. She almost always comes when I call her. I have not seen her since Monday afternoon. Should I be really worried, like I am? And what should I do to try to find her? Yesterday, I put a plate of cat food with salmon on top, and a cat, or a dog, came by and ate the salmon and part of the cat food. I'm not sure if it was my cat.
Thank you.
Anna
Answered by daneworship on 1/21/2004, 8:05 am
A: Missing Cat
Sure you should be worried. It is winter, it is cold, your cat lives outdoors, and you haven't seen it in two days. I suggest you put up signs in your neighborhood, run an ad in the paper, check with all the vets in your area as well as the local animal control agency. Post signs at the supermarket, laundrymat, etc.
Did you take your cat to the vet to find out if there is a physical reason for her inappropriate elimination? If she was using the litter box fine and then suddenly started not doing so, she very well may have a Urinary Tract Infection that needs antibiotics. Or the litter pan may have needed to be scooped and/or washed more often.
Casting the kitty outside to fend for herself after a life of living in a warm, safe environment is very hard on the cat. It is very possible that someone saw her and felt sorry for her and is now caring for her and letting her in their house. It is also possible that she was lost, stolen, run over, injured or killed by another animal or sick person, poisened, got ill and went off to die, and on and on and on. All of these reasons are the reasons that cats are far better off living indoors.
I really found it sad when you said she would stay near one of your neighbor's heaters to stay warm. You are responsible for her well-being and that includes shelter and warmth, vet care, clean food and water, and love.
If you do find your kitty, please reconsider making her live outdoors or rehome her with someone who will.
Good luck.
> I have a 6 year old black cat, who is now living outside
> after she decided to not use the litter box. She roams our
> yard and 2 of our neighbors yards (one who has cats, but my
> cat is spayed). In the winter, she stays near one of my
> neighbor's heater to stay warm. She almost always comes when
> I call her. I have not seen her since Monday afternoon.
> Should I be really worried, like I am? And what should I do
> to try to find her? Yesterday, I put a plate of cat food
> with salmon on top, and a cat, or a dog, came by and ate the
> salmon and part of the cat food. I'm not sure if it was my
> cat.
> Thank you.
>
> Anna
>
Answered by Ashlea on 1/21/2004, 8:06 am
A: Missing Cat
> I have a 6 year old black cat, who is now living outside
> after she decided to not use the litter box. She roams our
> yard and 2 of our neighbors yards (one who has cats, but my
> cat is spayed). In the winter, she stays near one of my
> neighbor's heater to stay warm. She almost always comes when
> I call her. I have not seen her since Monday afternoon.
> Should I be really worried, like I am? And what should I do
> to try to find her? Yesterday, I put a plate of cat food
> with salmon on top, and a cat, or a dog, came by and ate the
> salmon and part of the cat food. I'm not sure if it was my
> cat.
> Thank you.
>
> Anna
Try not to panic. Ask your neighbours if they have seen her and get them to check their sheds as she may have wandered in and got shut in. If you still can not find her take her box/bag of biscuits outside and shake them as cats often reconise this sound.
Try putting up missing signs in your area. It would be useful if these had a picture or 2 on them. Make it short so it grabs peoples attention and laminate it so it doesn't get ruined. If you like you could put a reward. Let us know how it goes!
>
Answered by AnnaLuvsCrabs on 1/23/2004, 6:33 pm
Q: Missing Cat
Sorry if this is posted twice.
My cat returned/was found today. I talked to my parents about putting her back inside and my mom said that if I can get her to use the litterbox in the garage, before moving it inside, and she uses it regularly, she can come back inside. (She was moved outside after using a futon as a litterbox.) I will be happy if she is able to return to the safe indoors where she can't wander off to far again.
