Conference misery::feline_v1

We used to have a cat that would wander off for two weeks at a time.  He
always came back... don't know why he wandered though since he was fixed.
Maybe your friend is right about looking for a girlfriend.  I hope so.

Hope you find your kitty.

Karen

    I hope that Maxwell returns.  As you said, he is probably just
    following his hormones.  You'd be surprised how early some males are
    ready to breed.  If he does come home (I'm sure he will) please try to
    keep him indoors until his neuter appointment or see if you can
    schedule it for an earlier date.
    
    Also, keep in touch with the local humane societies in case someone
    thinks he is a stray and turns him in.  Might even be a good idea to
    post his photo there and in the vet's office too.
    

    I know this is "obvious" but my Bandit (a male also) used to wander
    off for days on end, but there were also the times that due to his
    cat nature (curious) he would enter a neighbor's garage or shed or
    cellar, and there he would be found when the person next needed his/her
    car or mower ....  so make sure when you are talking to neighbors you
    mention that they might check their homes/sheds.   Good luck....I know
    how worried you are....sleepless nites and all!  We all go thru it!
    As they get older, (at least from my experience) they tend to not
    wander so far.....especially after neutering (though some of you may
    have different experiences on this point).  Now Bandy is just a big
    couch potato and my sleepless nites (and signmaking!) are over.
    
    Nancy

    I second the sugegstion to ask your neighbors to check any place he
    might have gotten shut in, like a garage, shed, basement.  I know
    that it must seem like an eternity since last Wednesday, but I've heard
    of cats coming back after a few weeks, even.  Do also check at the
    shelters (be sure to go in person and ask to see all the animals,
    sometimes they keep ill ones separate; also, I hate to say this, but
    ask for their records of ones that have been found dead).  Going
    in person is much more reliable than depending on a phone description
    from someone who might think orange is tan or whatever.  Recheck
    frequently, esp. if the shelter only keeps animals a few days.
    
    Please let us know how things go;  Maxwell and you are in our thoughts.
    

    If you let us know which town you live in we could keep an eye open
    for him.  I think it's a strong possibility that Maxwell has gone
    looking for a girlfriend, that's how I think my latest, Chuckie, came
    to us.   When they are young and un-neutered they wander and, because cats
    don't stay focused for very long, forget where they started from.
    Asking neighborhood children if they have seen him is a good idea as well.
    
    Do hope you find him/he comes home soon. 

    
    Hi.....I know how you feel.. My 6 year old cat was gone for 6 days last
    week.  Every time I found myself feeling happy, I'd remember my
    "Sophie" wasn't here...and go back into melancholy.  She's an outdoor
    cat and had never really wandered before....
    
    I put a sign out in the front of the house (quite large!) that said
    "LOST CAT" and then described her.  It was out for 2 days and then I
    saw a couple cars slow down and read it.  An hour later my cat was in
    my window wanting to come in.  No one called.  She was quite clean and
    we had just had a thunderstorm....I believe someone had taken her
    in...and brought her back when they saw the sign....Probably liked not
    having to make the phone call....  I don't care-as long as my cat is
    back. She sure sticks around now.  But she still hates being kept
    indoors..I don't know how anyone could have stood keeping her in for
    all that time. 
    
    Have you put one in front of your house?  You might want to. It worked
    for me.
    
    Good luck!
    
    Nancy

    Thanks for all the replies.  You made me feel better already.  I have
    spoken to a few neighbors down the street, and one woman saw him on
    Friday.  He was heading down a path toward the reservoir.  I brought
    pictures with me and the women said that was definately the cat.  So,
    that got my hopes up a little.  She's keeping an eye out for him, as
    well as everyone else on the street (I talked to everyone this
    weekend).
    
    My husband and I went searching last night, but nothing.  I'll keep on
    trying and take the advice of the past notes.
    
    Thanks Everyone!
    
    Karen
    
    

    Forgot to mention where I live.  I live in Ashburnham on Hastings Road. 
    Ashburnham is between Fitchburg and Gardner.
    
    Maxwell is silver and cream with tiger markings on his face, paws and
    tail.  He is wearing a break-away flea collar and knows his name.  He
    has green eyes.  He's male and is approximately 6 months to 1 year old.
    
    Karen
    
    

    Karen,
    
    One more obvious suggestion....but if Maxwell has a favorite dry food
    that you often keep in a container, and if he is familiar with the
    sound of that food in that container and usually comes running when he
    hears it, you might do what I did with my Bandit so very long ago....I
    walked thru the neighborhood shaking the darn thing and calling him. 
    On several occasions when I needed him to be in the house I did
    this....
    he ALWAYS came running!  (smile)
    
    Nancy

    
    
       I agree with the previous noter, i've done that too, i'll bang
    together of bowls that my little one gets treats in when she gets
    out by accident and it usually (not always) but usually works.  But
    again males do have a tendency to wander quite far (when not fixed).
    Unfortunately, I have lost a couple of males years ago due to them not
    being fixed, this is why my next one went asap to be fixed.  It's to 
    bad he left just shy of being fixed.
    Don't give up hope, there is always that chance that he will come back.
    
    If you haven't already, I would definitely check the surrounding towns
    too, as they have been know to travel a good distance.
    
    Best of luck on his return.
    Diana, Tykey & Domino

    I would recommend 'training' your cats to come to a dog whistle. I have
    done this with my two cats from when they were first allowed out of the
    house (about 5 months old). I would blow the whistle every time I gave
    them a treat, nowadays when I want them to come in I just blow the
    whistle at the door, wait a couple of minutes and they will come
    trotting home, they then get a treat. As all cat owners know this can
    never be totally cat proof as they will only come back if the prospect
    of a treat is more appealing than what they are currently doing but it
    works 9 times out of 10. The advantage of using a whistle is that it
    can be heard over a 500 yards (according to the manufacturers) and it
    is easier to walk the streets blowing a whistle that going round
    banging the food bowls.
    
    Hope you find your cat,
    
    Marytn.
    

    What a great idea! I'll have to do this when/if we move to this new
    place we're looking at. It's in a country setting & I want to be able
    to get the kids inside when I call them! Now I just wonder if I'll
    have YOUR cats at my door!! ;*) (or any other whistle trained animal!)
    
    Bonnie

    Please read note 4139....there are many other helpful hints on
    finding lost cats.  
    
    I will pray Maxwell makes it home okay.  I too believe he is
    following is natural instincts to find a woman!   I just pray
    he does not stroll too far.....   
    
    I know how you feel exactly...it has been over a year since we
    lost CAM and I still think about it every day.  But beleive me
    there are many happy endings to these stories too!!  I know
    some of them are documented in this notesfile...but I can't
    remember the numbers.
    
    Good luck...and please keep us posted.  
    
    Sandy      

    Well, it must be contagious. My cat Smokey is also missing. He's been
    gone since Friday (Aug. 2). He was only with me for about a month (I
    adopted him from the Nashua shelter). I can only hope that he is trying
    to make his way back to his first home, and that he is alive and
    hunting. 
    
    I let the shelter know that he is missing so they can notify me if he
    shows up there again. We did a complete search of the neighborhood and
    the roads into and out of Mont Vernon center, and could find no signs
    of him. I combed the corn field.... nothing. I'm still leaving the cat
    door open in case he comes back.
    
    Nancy Goodwin  

    Re: .14
    
    Have you asked the neighbors to check any place he might have
    gotten shut in like a garage or shed or basement?  And i would go
    out looking and calling each day (I'm told dusk is best, or early
    morning).  Also, put up posters and check with other shelters and vets
    inthe area.
    
    Good luck.
    

    So sorry to hear about Smokey.   Our prayers are with him.
    Another suggestion is to place an ad in your local paper.   
    
    Sandy