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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Runaway kitty
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Question
Our neutered kitten, which we got when he was over four mos. old, was being kept indoors and occasionally out on the deck or yard with us on a leash. He loved outdoors, and last night he slipped out. I read about the cats who were found nearby...but we searched the entire neighborhood, then the fields and neighborhoods beyond to no avail. Its been almost twenty-four hours. At midnight last night i went everywhere calling him and he never answered. He had a microchip, but we are beside ourselves. He was a very active cat who was house trained at the home of a trainer at the shelter where we found him. What else can we do to find him. We have put posters everywhere and called the shelter. We'll call the vets tomorrow....it's Sunday.
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Thanks for any help
Susan,
I hope by the time you read this that you found your poor kitty! It sounds like you have done everything you can do.
He may be scared and up a tree, in which case he will come down. Someone may have him thinking he is a stray. Put a notice in the paper. Hopefully you don't have any coyotes in the area!
When you find him, collar train (break-away type only) him and tape your address and/or phone number on it. It is the indoor cats that have a problem with getting lost. Most people don't think an indoor cat needs a collar...but they are the one's that DO need it just for the reason you have....the cat slips out the door.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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