Conference misery::feline_v1

    My experience with cats is not to become worried for several days
    (up to a week.)  I've had cats stay out for a week and then come
    home, hungry and worn out from the party.
    
    Don't worry yet.
    
    MM

    "Don't worry" does not, however, mean "don't look". We've had cats,
    neutered or otherwise, come back after days or even weeks, but the
    longer the absence the worse shape the cat was in. While the odds
    of the cat coming back within a few days may be high, don't slack
    off on calling for the cat now. Poke around places where a cat might
    hide - shrubbery, etc. - and call it, and listen carefully; a scared
    or hurt cat may only reply with a tiny mew.
    
    Good luck,
    -b

    My first calico cat ran away for a YEAR and came back.  Not to worry
    you or anything, but she died at my feet a few days later.  The
    world is nasty, even to outdoor cats.
    

    
    
    Our female (neutered) Calico kitty, Noel, has been known to stay
    out for a few days at a time.  We have had her for 3 years now,
    and I still start to worry if she is not home by nightfall.  So
    I go through my routine of walking around the neighborhood calling
    for her - she always comes home when she is good and ready!  When
    we were in our last house, Noel had made friends with the neighbors
    about 4 houses down the street.  We didn't know this, and she started
    staying out for longer periods of time.  She had been gone for 3
    days this one time, and I was a nervous wreck so I went door to
    door asking people if they had seen her.  The woman brought me in
    the house and there was Noel curled up on a chair.  They had been
    feeding her and letting her sleep in the house!  This was great
    for Noel, since she hates "all" our other kitties, and these people
    didn't have any other cats.
    
    Well, anyway, what I'm getting at is don't get yourself overly upset
    right away, but do check around the neighorhood and call for you
    kitty.  It will make you feel better knowing that you are doing
    _something_, and if you're kitty does need you, you may just be
    led to her.
    
    Good luck,
    
    Carole
    

    I find the idea of cat owners not worrying for several days to be
    a bit disconcerting.  What if your animal is injured and has been
    brought to a hospital by someone?  Now the hospital, and maybe the
    person that brought the cat there, are waiting around (or sometimes
    actively looking) for an owner to come forward.  Maybe a week would
    be too late.  If the cat were to require extensive medical treatment,
    a vet might feel obliged to humanely destroy the animal, if the owner
    did not come forward within a given period.
    
    I'd at least give a call to the vets in your area.  It would
    probably make you feel better too.
    
    Donna
    
    

    
    Thanks to everyone for the advice and support.  We found Barry last
    night.  Somehow he made it home and died under the apple tree, where
    we buried him.  I'll never know what happened to him.  He had only 
    been missing for one night before we found him.  
    
    I loved that cat like he was part of the family, and miss him very
    much.
    
    Once again, Thanks.
      

    
    Kathy,
    
    My heart goes out to you.  I'm so very sorry to hear of Barry's
    passing.  Having experienced the loss of a number of kitties over
    the years and two just recently, I can understand how you feel.
    Please know that there is a place where our kitties' spirits go,
    and that they are well loved and taken care of.  I'll remember
    you both in my prayers.
    
    Carole
    

    Kathy,  I offer my condolences for this very sad ending to
    your story.  I hope you will find comfort in now knowing that
    Barry now safely rests under the apple tree.
    
    Donna

    Kathy,
    
    I am so sorry.  I had a cat once that was gone for about a week.
    She came home with a broken hip.  She died about a year later trying
    to give birth - the hip never healed right and we didn't realize
    at the time what was happenning.
    
    Very sorry.
    
    anna
    

    Kathy,
    
    I'm sorry, too.  I know you how you must miss him.  But at least
    you know that he came home to you, and that he is safe now.  I think
    that all animals are very close to God's heart.
    
    You're in my prayers,
    
    Jane

    I'm sorry too, Kathy.  I know how it feels to loose a kitty (mine
    has been gone sine the beginning of May) and to have it come home
    and die in your yard must have been so sad.  But he came back to
    you because you are his family and he loved you too.  I wish I new
    if my Kitty was alive or not, just so I would't have to wonder and
    worry so much.  
    
    I hope by the time you see this, most of your pain has gone away.