Expert: Kate Tilmouth - 10/22/2009

Question
Hi there. I just moved house four days ago, and one of my two cats (the female) has gone missing. I had the cats in my room, and they were very frightened and stayed under my bed for a day, then ventured out to explore my bedroom (only when my bedroom door was shut) but only yesterday did ONE of them come out to explore the rest of the house (the male - and late at night, when my flatmates were in bed). The female has been very timid and has barely come out from under the bed. The bathroom window was open tonight and I left my bedroom door open a crack, as my more courageous male cat likes to wander in the hallway, but unfortunately, (much to my confusion) my timid cat who has not left my bedroom so far, must have ran out the bathroom window. I cannot find her anywhere, and I called her outside for a long time.  Is there any chance she will come back?  I think she might have finally ventured out of my bedroom and just as she did my flatmate went down the hallway and frightened her so she took off...I am worried as she was obviously still uncomfortable in the new house and very timid...She is mostly an outdoor cat...sleeps inside half of the time but happier outside...will she remember the scent of the house, etc, to know it's hers yet? Or is she gone forever? Also, my old house is about ten minutes drive away from here...would she have tried to go home? Please help, as I am devastated and cannot handle this at all.

Answer
Hi
yes there is every chance that she will come back. Cats like to go wandering and exploring but are also very good at finding there way back. Make sure you leave something outside with her or your scent on as this will help her find her way home.

i have a web page about this which you may find of further help and information about what to do.

http://www.our-happy-cat.com/lost-cats.html

best wishes kate
http://www.our-happy-cat.com