Our beloved cat is missing, Any advice? Options

[a mum]

Sorry to post this in the music forum but I wondered if any of you forumites might have some advice for us.

Our 3 year old tabby is now missing for 2 days. He's white with black/grey markings. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

He has never been away for so long from home. We last saw him at 5 pm on Monday evening when he went out after having his food. Usually he comes back late at night or first thing next morning but he didn't. I went to work thinking that he's probably just around but then when he hadn't been back all day, we started to get a little worried. We have combed the entire neighbourhood, calling out for him and looked in the bushes. We have informed the vets, put up posters and asked around with the neighbours. I have also posted his details on a couple of missing animal websites. I have also called the local council in case he has been run over and also the RSPCA. He's often seen out with another cat from the neighbourhood, but I have gone and checked and this cat is still at home and he has been hanging around our house.

We have just been out again looking for him. Usually he just comes when we call out for him but he's nowhere to be seen. Not sure what has happened to him, and this is so worrying.

We're all just devastated. It's surprising how hard this has hit us. There is this very intense feeling of loss and helplessness. Our daughter is extremely attached to him and she boards during the week, so we haven't even told her yet as we are worried how she would react and cope without us at school.

Any advice/ suggestions? Is there still any hope for us considering it has been more than 48 hours now? This is just not his usual pattern.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[Aquarelle]

Any news? I just thought I would pop back in to say that foxes are not necessarily a threat. Several posters have expressed worry about cats and foxes. When we lived in London we had foxes who visited the large shared garden of our block of flats and one evening a neighbour telelphoned to tell us to look out of the window. There on the lawn was a vixen and her three cubs playing with one of of our cats - who was at the time a large kitten. They were having a great time together.

My brother has foxes who visit his garden and his two cats have never been harmed. In any case cats can shine up a tree which a fox can't do.

Don't give up hope. Still thinking of you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grouphug.gif)

[Halka]

Any news? I just thought I would pop back in to say that foxes are not necessarily a threat.

We live in a city area with a large fox population and the adult cats and foxes seem to leave each other alone. (Interestingly our pet rabbit sees off the cats, but has had a few close shaves with the foxes....)

I'm watching this thread too, hoping for good news. Our next door neighbour's cats often visit us (when not scared off by the rabbit..) and the young male went missing for a few days recently, but came back safe and sound, so fingers crossed Harry will be back soon too.

[a mum]

Thank you all...but sadly no news yet. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

There was a possible sighting yesterday at a farm 3 miles away and we've visited it at night and at 5 am this morning, but it seems like it was a cat that lives nearby rather than Harry. We've been leaving some food there and it's been eaten up but it could be any of the cats from the area. There are quite a few around there. We just need a confirmed sighting to be able to narrow down the area and/or know that he's still alive and well.

Told our daughter last night and it has hit her very very hard. She's trying to be brave and optimistic and so are we...

[Capriccioso]

Thank you all...but sadly no news yet. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

There was a possible sighting yesterday at a farm 3 miles away and we've visited it at night and at 5 am this morning, but it seems like it was a cat that lives nearby rather than Harry. We've been leaving some food there and it's been eaten up but it could be any of the cats from the area. There are quite a few around there. We just need a confirmed sighting to be able to narrow down the area and/or know that he's still alive and well.

Told our daughter last night and it has hit her very very hard. She's trying to be brave and optimistic and so are we...

Sorry to hear Harry is not home yet, I keep checking back here hoping for the good news message. Keep optimistic that you will have him back with you, I know that the worst thing is not knowing where he is. Hugs to your daughter, I remember telling mine and it was horrible. Oh, and keep putting the smelly clothing out in the garden, and someone also suggested dust from the hoover!