Expert: Dear Tabbi - 4/28/2008

Question
we were in our new home for 10 days when our cat snuck out.  that was 6 days ago.  Our old house is only 2 blocks away but there hasn't been any sign of her.  We have people looking for her at the old home as well as frequent searching and calling.  I have a used litter box, favorite food, water and her favorite box here at the new home.  She is an older cat.  Top of the pecking order with her male litter mate and 2 dogs.  She is aloof with human strangers though, not fearful just disinterested.  Is it possible for her to find her way back to the new home, or should we be focusing more on the old home.  We are sick with worry and want to be sure we are doing all that's possible to find her.  What behavior should we expect with both homes so close together?  Please help.

Answer
Laurie,

When you find your cat (I believe you will!) please collar train her and put your address and phone number on the collar in case this happens again.

Older cats do not take the stress of moving as well as a younger cat and more than likely she is hiding. Put up a picture of her in a flyer and put it up in the window of the nearest place to shop. Put it up on telephone poles both in the new neighborhood and the old one. Contact anyone who moves into your old house and give them your phone number or address so they can contact your if they see her. Do the same with the old neighbors.

I am including two links to good articles about finding missing cats. Copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/unitedcats/lostcat.html

http://sonic.net/~pauline/psych.html

I hope this helps. Let me know when you find her!

Tabbi