Lost Cat and in heat

[Lorili]

Hi. I have a 7-ish month old cat who just started in heat about 4 days ago. I have an appointment for her to be spayed the end of this month (couldn’t get any sooner). She got out 2 days ago and hasn’t returned. I live in a rural area with lots of wood’s surrounding my property and my few neighbors are over 1/2 mile down the road. Here’s my question:

I read that cats can leave scents to help them navigate back home. If it rains, can she still find her way back? I drove a few miles around my area and called her name to no avail.
Thank you for your advice!

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. It is sometimes more difficult in a rural setting to find a missing cat. Driving around a few times won't cut it, and calling to her may mean nothing. Here are some previous threads (with additional embedded guidelines) and other information about lost cats, maybe they will help you in terms of what other actions you probably need to take - up to and including trying to trap her.
Lost Cat Troubleshooting | TheCatSite
Cat got out. Distraught what to say. | TheCatSite
Lost Cat Behavior - Missing Animal Response Network
Best Humane Cat Traps - Lost Pet Research and Recovery
Humane Trap Guidelines (3retrievers.com)
Lost Pet Statistics - Lost Pet Research and Recovery

 

[Lorili]

Hi. It is sometimes more difficult in a rural setting to find a missing cat. Driving around a few times won't cut it, and calling to her may mean nothing. Here are some previous threads (with additional embedded guidelines) and other information about lost cats, maybe they will help you in terms of what other actions you probably need to take - up to and including trying to trap her.
Lost Cat Troubleshooting | TheCatSite
Cat got out. Distraught what to say. | TheCatSite
Lost Cat Behavior - Missing Animal Response Network
Best Humane Cat Traps - Lost Pet Research and Recovery
Humane Trap Guidelines (3retrievers.com)
Lost Pet Statistics - Lost Pet Research and Recovery

Thank you so much!

 

[FeebysOwner]

I hope she either comes home on her own, or that you find her soon!! Keep us posted.

 

[Lorili]

I will. My sister just told me her daughter’s cat was lost for 2 weeks after they moved to a new area and found her way home. I’m not giving up hope yet and am praying she finds her way home but this is really hard on me. The weather is cold and rainy to make things worse.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

She may well find her way home, especially if you have had her longer than three weeks. It takes about that long for their internal GPS to set to their new location. If she does, be sure to open the door for her sloooooooooowly. After being out like that, even people and places she knows can appear threatening.

 

[NekoM]

There was a recent thread on this that I added to. This is something I came across a couple of days later which I didn’t get around to adding.
How Far Do Cats Roam From Their House?

 

[Lorili]

Thank you everyone for your support! She came crying at my window this morning at 1 a.m.! I’m so happy!!!

 

[FeebysOwner]

Excellent!!!! I am glad she is home now!!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I am thrilled! I just love happy endings!

 

[NekoM]

Great news!