A month ago we took on a stray male kitten (approx 6 - 8 months old) since having him we vaccinated, castrated and chipped him. Yesterday we let him out for the first time at 12 mid day. He'd been looking to go out for weeks but we waited 4 weeks so he could settle in and get used to us. He is so friendly and really unafraid. We have two dogs and within 48 hours of having him, Spud and my terrier Piglet were inseperable. Its been 22 hours now and he has still not come back. I was just wondering what everyone's experience is of letting cats out for the first time. Spud was obviously used to the outside world (his ears had had frost bite and he has lost the tips poor thing). I have this horrible feeling that I am never going to see him again. I feel so sad, because he fitted in our house so easily and after a month together me and my OH are really attached to him. Do you think its likely he will come back? Its pissing down with rain now. He is wearing a collar with a tag and he is chipped. Tomorrow I will start the posters etc and advertise him as missing. I have walked around our village four times calling him but we are surrounded by fields and woods and there are tons of places for him to be. I know its pathetic but I keep seeing his toys and just feel so sad. I wish we hadnt let him out but I am a strong believer that if a cat wishes to go out we should let them. I have seen so many medical conditions that I am sure are part and parcel of stressed indoor cats that are bored and frustrated. Don't get me wrong though, some cats want to be house cats and thats just fine. Sorry for the ramble

Presumably he was wearing a collar with a capsule containing your name, address and phone number. So all will be well...

Yeah he is, but that doesnt mean he'll remember where he lives! There are quite a few cats in the area so I am not sure anyone would be too concerned to see another cat hanging around and take the time to read his capsule. I am panicing I know lol.

Hi DF - So sorry to hear that your little cat has flown the camp - they often do that, especially males, but you say you had him spayed, so he shouldn't feel that urge so strongly. Our cats have occasionall buzzed off for hours, but usually not so long. If he is still around and lost, someone once suggested to me to put out the cat's litter box by the door or window or whatever, and they can smell that and find home more easily. I don't know if it will help, but it is worth trying anyhow. Good luck, and I hope he turns up soon - I know how attached we get to our pets!

He may have got into somebody's shed or garage and accidently got locked in there.
It happened to our cat once when he was about the same age and he turned up safe and sound the next day when the neighbour came home from work. (not sure he was too impressed by the 'present' the cat left for him in his garage though) Might be worth asking the neighbours to check.
Males (even castrated ones) tend to travel quite large distances and if it's raining he may be sheltering somewhere quite far away rather than getting wet on his weay home.
Hope he turns up soon.

If it's raining he might be sheltering somewhere before trying to come home. Cats hate to get wet! My cat would rather sit under a hedge and wait for the rain to stop than make a dash across the garden to the catflap, although she isn't the brightest.

It might be worth checking if your neighbours have seen him and asking them to check their outbuildings, garages etc in case he has been locked in somewhere. I'm sure he is just exploring his neighbourhood and will be back in time for tea. Keep us updated.

I am so pleased to say I went out to call him again tonight and I heard a miaow and there was Spud. I was so so pleased! Especially as before he went on his travels he didn't have a miaow so he must of found it over the last 32 hours.

Great news.

Another happy end. Thanks for lettiing us know.

Ahhh, how lovely! You must be soooo happy ... and that news made me go all tingly!! Great name, by the way

So pleased to hear the happy end! Thanks for letting us know. And good for Spud learning how to meow during his travels - makes you wonder even more what he was up to!

I always like a happy ending. *



wayyyy to go Spud , keep meowing buddy.








* edit.. hopefully mimi will not look up "happy ending" in urban dictionary.. she already ruined "poutine"

So cute that he found his miaow! Sounds like a Disney adventure!

I like a happy ending, so pleased he found his way home. Did he tell you where he'd been?

..aww, this is the type of stuff that makes me want to curl up in my blankie with a cup of hot coco and watch days of our lives. (no homo)

LOL, on a more serious note...glad you got your flea circus back.

Economisto I did not know you had any fluffyness on you
I am so happy you found Spud, we lost Audrey for 3 hours near our place in Allschwil after she disgracefully escaped...living in Allschwil and seeing foxes all around we were scared and now are more careful! Phew!

hmmm.... something very interesting happens if you click on "quote" on LiB^s message, or highlight it as if for a copy and paste.

Happy to hear that Spud made it back.

If he goes awol again then this guy has some useful tips.

We got two farm kittens in November 2009, and did the same as you keeping them inside for a good while before letting them out. The first few times we stayed with them and they didn't venture far, but last summer the (castrated) male was away for 6 days at one point before coming back looking a little thin but perfectly happy. He went off quite a few times after that for 2-5 days, but since it started getting colder he tends to stay nearer to home and is back for food every day at least. The girl is much more homely and we see here almost every day even in the summer.

I came across this which might be interesting to see where they actually go... (although I haven't bought one yet).

Yeah yeah...I have a little boy-cat too so I can empathise. He's an indoor cat though - afraid of open windows and strange noises.