My kitty came to us as an abandoned outdoor stray. That was 3 1/2 yrs. ago. There is no way I can keep her inside all the time. But I'm fortunate that she prefers to sleep on our patio furniture, and she never goes far. But I don't let her out at night, since that is the most dangerous time.
The first thing I did after we "adopted" her was to get a name tag with her name and my cell phone number on it. Also I got her chipped and registered.
I hope your kitty comes home soon. I feel your pain. I'd be frantic.
As it gets darker, can you walk around and look for her? If she is afraid she may be more likely to come out of hiding after dark. Another idea is if you can get a live trap to set up a live trap with food. It may seem extreem, but if she is scared her behavior may be unpredictable. I truly hope you find her.
i am sending my & that Belle returns to you soon...
i do want to add, tho - i have 3 former strays, plus a former feral. they are all indoor only cats. true, occasionally, one will attempt to get out an open door - but they know they're not supposed to, & a stern 'no' is all i usually need to get them to back off.
please don't take this as criticism, as it's not meant that way - it's simply advice for the future, when Belle returns [think positive!].
6 am. Well, I put food out last night and was glad to see it was gone. I know pretty much any hungry animal out there could have feasted on it but the weather is going to be in the 70's today. I am just going to keep thinking positive. Thanks for all of the support and good wishes. Please keep them coming. They really do help, especially the stories about people who have had them come back.
It was a hard night last night. It is hard to do anything when you have pictures of her on your screensaver, you see commercials on tv with cats and then the damned box of Cat Shaped chocolate cookies from Trader Joe's that I bought for my nephew on top of the counter top. I just wish I could hear her steps as she runs up the stairs or just to feel her soft fur when she glides by me. OK..enough torment. I am going to make some coffee and will try to just think positive.
She will be back in good time. A few days is nothing for cat to wander. Oscar has gone walkabout for 4-5 days. I was very upset, but I did not blame myself. I know everyone's telling you off for letting little Belle out, but you did no wrong. If you have the space to do so, why waste it? Perhaps a high fence might be an option for the future?
It's quite normal for cats to go on little treks around the neighbourhood when they're allowed out. I know in the US it's frowned upon to let them out in urban areas because of the dangers, but like I said, if you have all that space, I'm sure Belle appreciates the freedom you give her.
If she is not back by tonight, perhaps do some little flyers and go door to door. I did that when we found a kitty, I posted leaflets through doors in the local neighbourhood to see if anyone knew him. You don't have to knock, just post.
I hope she is back. I know it's horrible to think of your cat all alone in the big bad world but really, she's probably having a ball. They're very independent creatures
Thanks for the words of support. The area that I live in is residential and Im at a dead end. She has a lot of area alone in my back yard but I think it was because she was born outside. I don't know. I have the area fenced in but she is a climber. She has climbed on top of the roof so many times and I don't think she is one to be confined, that is why I was always kind of on the fence about letting her out.
My neighbors know she is missing. I hope one of the kids will look at the reward as an incentive. I will make signs and post them tomorrow as it is still quite windy out. Thank you for writing.
It is 8:23am and I went out to see if the new food had been eaten. I tried calling her and then heard a faint meow off in the distance. I called her again and she came racing to me and rushed into the house, straight for her food! I picked her up and hugged her as I checked her to see if she had been injured. I think perhaps she was cooped in someone's garage.
Thank you all for your words of support and encouragement. I am so glad I found this site and hope to reciprocate the support you all have given me.
So glad she came home. My insy-outsie cats were pretty good about staying around the house, but every now and again they'd go walkabout and I wouldn't see them for days. It was soooooo scary! All those cats have Gone Over, and apartment living has made our new cats indoors only.
So happy she is home safe and sound!!!! Give her lots of hugs and kisses!!!
Just try to keep her in now.....remember the torment you went thru. Don't feel guilty about not letting her out. I have gone thru that, but I know I would feel more guilty if I let my babies out and something happened to them.
Take a deep breathe and thank the Lord for His love for you and your fur baby.
Proverbs 12:10 says...A righteous man regards the life of His animal.
I am so pleased!!! Well done, what a love between owner and kitty, she came back to you! That is love and trust and it is not one sided, the proof is there. You should be proud of your kitty, she chooses to be with you, that is something very special indeed