How long do you look for a lost cat?

Question

My cat ran away 5 days ago and hasnt been seen now in the area as far as we know for 2 days now. How long does it take for cats to return? we have tried it all..putting her litter box out, food, blanket, signs and an ad in the paper, i called shelters but no one has seen her now. i miss my pet but i need to know when to come to terms she isnt coming back and move on i guess.

Answer 1

Our nine month old kitten had escaped from our old house as we were moving out back in early May. We thought that she was gone for good and my oldest daughter was devastated. She was an indoor cat. We moved about two miles from our old house.

About three weeks ago my kid's were at the playground up the road. While they were walking home a cat started to follow them. It was her!! She was gone for two and half months and then found her way back to us.

My daughter is now thrilled, plus she had three baby kittens two weeks ago. (She escaped the day before she was supposed to be spayed.)

There was a news report not too long ago about a little girl getting her dog back fives years after it disappeared. Keep up hope because you never know when your kitty may decide to come back.

Answer 2

Me personally, I wouldn't give up so quick as my cat's never gave up on me!  I mean there's so much you can do!

Search your property up and down, even in the areas you think ur cat may not be, you'd be surprised!!!

Look through your ur neighborhood, ask everyone and leave ur #.

Make some noise, some familar sounds, even as hideous as you might sound to others, oh well...  Your cat will recognize you and your little gestures!

Use a powerful flash light at night.

This one is probably the most important, I read you partially did this one but be more extreme, place strong smelling articles outside, dirty socks you wore for the entire day, this may sound nasty but seriously I'm not lying about this one...  >dirty underwear of some sort< (you can kinda hide them under the socks or whatever, any kinda dirty clothes especially the clothes you sweat in, cats have a nose!!!!

Call the Vets, Humane Society, and what not, also as hard as this may be you should find out if they found a cat that was killed on the road.

Post flyers in your area with pictures of your cat, a few would be helpful especially if your cat is a tabby cat.

Put a ad in the newspaper and check the found sections.

DO NOT GIVE UP!!!  CATS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO COME HOME AFTER A FEW MONTHS!!!!!

Don't worry you'll find your cat.  When I lost my cat, I was crying and crying then I sat down and seriously...  I meditated for a minute, I know my cat so well, I was like if I were "Pablo", what would I be doing and where would I have gone when I left the house...  I literally went out the door just like he would of and went where I though knowing him as well as I do, would of gone...  Behind a shed where I couldn't fit underneath all these trees and shrubs and what not...  Underneath cars and motorcycles in my neighbors yard, SURE ENOUGH!!!  There he was playing with another TABBY CAT!!!!  OmG!!!  I snached him and hugged him and fed him and gave him treats!  

Oh, also put TUNA outside, treats and walk around with a fork and tap on a canned of cat food.  

Let us know if you find him.  I'll be thinking about you!  I really wish you luck, you'll find him hun!  Remember don't give up!

Answer 3

this is a good link on how to find a lost pet..

http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/How-to-Find...

most cats return within the first 2 weeks.. BUT it is not uncommon for them to come back 3 months later - particularly if somebody is thinking its a stray and is keepingit.. read the link for more help

Answer 4

cats come and go . some people keep a post out about a monht or intil someone finds their pet.

Answer 5

KEEP LOOKING! KEEP YOUR SIGNS UP!

I found a cat a couple weeks ago. There were no ads in the paper for him or on craigslist.... but somehow we found a faded poster. We called and the cat was reunited with his family after being missing for A MONTH. They had just given up hope and were about to take down the faded posters. He was skinny and had a wound, but he got back home.

Don't give up.

Post an ad on craigslist - that's the VERY first place I look when it comes to lost/found.

Answer 6

If she wasn't spayed, she may be longer coming back so don't give up until you are content that she isn't returning.  I would go to the shelters instead of calling.  You are just another caller looking for another animal that ran off.  Take a picture with you to the shelter and talk to a kennel worker or another person that actually sees that animals, not the receptionist.  Also go by vet clinics.  Many of them have boards posted with pictures of lost and found pets.  Good luck!!

Answer 7

maybe for 3-4 months or till you find it

Answer 8

cats are like that. i think the best way out is to understand that wherever your cat is it is fine.