Fiancee lost her cat

[CommanderMadi]

Please read carefully. I need your assistance.

I was deeply saddened at the early morning (5:00 AM) by a call from my fiancee crying and telling me she can't find the cat she brought up for 3 years already (A male cat). She got no siblings so this cat really means much to her. Anyway, I went to her place and started a search everywhere in the neighbourhood, I searched in stairs, under cars, between bushes and even abandoned houses and places around, no sign of it.

High expectations suggest that the cat jumped from the balcony. My fiancee lives in a tower in the first floor (Distance between ground and her balcony is approximately 3 to 5 meters which won't really hurt a cat) He didn't leave from the main door since it was locked and they were getting ready to sleep. They turned the apartment upside down, they even searched in the "Fridge" and no sign for it.

I contacted friends who got experience about cat behavior and they told me that a cat got a good sense towards home and can return to home. They pointed out that the cat would probably be very scared by now and hiding in a spot near around the neighbourhood where it is completely out of sight and they expect it to show by the night when streets calm down and people movement become lesser.

Is what they said true? Is there any hope she'd get it back? I am really sad cuz I have 4 cats myself and I can really imagine how sad I'd be if one of them got lost or escaped.


Important Notes:

1- She takes care of it like it is her soulmate. She feeds it the highest quality food, have an extra comfortable place to live and a fancy huge litterbox and many many toys.

2- She stated that the cat started signs lately that it wants to mate again (he mated first last year and he got 5 lovely kittens) She arranged an appointment with the vet to spay him since it really showed signs of unrest and it wanted to mate as soon as possible. There was a homeless cat that used to come by their apartment door and keep making some strange sounds from behind the door to him and the cat replied with the same sounds ( I knew later that they were calling one another for mating)

Please take your time read it and tell me what I can do. Is there any chance it could come back or show up by tonight?

 

[CommanderMadi]

Madi, you may have seen me talk about animal medicine and behavior. I worked in the field for a long time. What your friends told you about a cat being able to make its way home is absolutely true. I've seen many instances when a cat got lost, left behind after its owners moved, travelling long distances to get home; some very crazy stories! More often than not, a cat can find its way home. They know where they get fed!

If she treated it so well, there isn't much doubt in my mind that he will return. No promises, but a cat is very self-serving and he will want to get back to the attention he gets from your lady. However, if he is not castrated yet, he is going to stay out in the streets nailing every female in heat that he can find. One of a cat's main interests is spreading its own genes around into as many females as possible. So it may take a few days before he returns.

I suggest putting out water, and a bunch of his favorite treats around the home. If he ever came to the sound of a treat bag being shaken, that's one way you may be able to get him to come to you. If this has just been a few hours, there isn't much to be worried about yet. My Monster used to take off for 2 or 3 days at a time, but he always came home. Cats are very experienced survivors.

I'm off to an appointment, but I'll check back here as soon as I get home. Don't worry too much yet. It's way too soon to get in a panic, I promise!!

Thank you very much. She is right beside me at that moment and I can't really describe the happiness and hope in her eyes. We will stay alert and keep conducting the search as well.

PS: He never actually left the house since his birth so he never saw the stairs or even how the space looks outside and he has jumped from the balcony. Will he be able to recognize the way back home even if he doesn't know the entrance of the building or the stairs?

 

[CommanderMadi]

Yes he can. A cat's mind doesn't work like our minds work. It isn't necessary for him to recognize the place by sight; cats rely on their noses way more than their eyes. They also have an almost uncanny sense of direction. I've known of cats taken a long, long distance from their homes, and yet, somehow, with their kitty radar brains, they find their way back.

As I said; if he got away just a few hours ago and he is not castrated, he'll take his time coming back. He's probably enjoying being out, exploring. Cats are indeed very curious animals.

Don't panic yet, and I will get back to your thread as soon as I'm home.

Alright, we are waiting to see what happens.

 

[Jazzy]

I'm also very anxious to find out!

 

[GoldenBlade]

^^Me too.. I really hope the kitty came back.

 

[CommanderMadi]

Good News. Yesterday morning, she managed to find him in the building garage. He completely showed no sign since 5th of Sep but he appeared finally. He was dirty, definitely weaker and completely tired. When she approached to pick him up he was the one to run to her!! It was so adorable and we are extremely happy. I will be posting his photo after his return tonight. Thank you all for your care and advice especially Smooth, you are awesome! Fiancee sends the warmest regards and xoxoxos to you ^_^

 

[Jazzy]

Awesome news Madi!

 

[CommanderMadi]

Oh how cool!!! I am SO happy for you and your fiancée, Madi!! If only he could talk and tell you where he'd been and what he'd done.

I just looked at the date and that's a solid 2 weeks he was gone! I bet there will be at least one female cat in your area that comes up pregnant, maybe more than one.

I am just thrilled to hear this news, Madi. I was kinda starting to wonder when we hadn't heard from you in so long. I love happy endings. Will he be taken to the vet to be sure he's ok, has no internal injuries or anything like that?

Hi Smooth,

He was already taken to the vet who has done all the essential stuff to make sure he is healthy and good. He found an injury behind his ear (seemed like a fight with another cat) and he was just dirty so he cleaned him and give him proper medication. No serious issues though He also told us that your cat didn't mate. We are not sure if he was able to mate outside or not.