Lost - When the cat doesn't come home anymore

As owners, we feel that our cat can experience so much thanks to her freedom; we know the variety does her good, and sometimes we even believe that outdoor access is beneficial for a cat's natural way of life. That's why many owners decide not to keep their furry housemates indoors only, but let them out into the wide world. We at LucyBalu completely understand this attitude – some of our own cats are outdoor cats too. But this way of life also means being aware of the risks for our beloved velvet paws. Too many cats in a tight urban space can cause damage to an already fragile ecosystem (you can read more about that in our article „Outdoor Cats - Silent Bird Killers?"), and of course cats outdoors are also much more prone to accidents, injuries, or parasite infestations than on the safe sofa. Some of these risks can be reduced, while others simply can't be calculated.

Your cat goes outside – what do you need to consider?

No matter why you decide to let your cat roam outdoors: there are a few things worth considering beforehand. Cats that roam freely outside should definitely be neutered! Only this way can you reliably prevent unwanted, feral kittens. Anyone who has seen how miserably feral kittens live on farms or in cellars knows: uncontrolled breeding needs to be prevented. By the way: neutering isn't harmful for female or male cats – as long as the animals are old enough, the procedure is quick and practically risk-free. Of course, every operation carries some risk – but for cats this is far lower than for a comparable procedure in humans.

Furthermore, your cat should definitely be microchipped and – something that's still often forgotten – registered with a pet register! No matter which register you use (TASSO, FINDEFIX, etc.): once your cat is registered there, the chances are much higher that she'll be linked back to you as her owner if she's found.

Of course, there's also the option of fitting your cat with a tracker – this way you always know where your cat is and can find her more quickly if the worst happens. We've put together HERE an overview of which tracker we recommend – and why. Either way, make sure that the collar the tracker is attached to meets the relevant safety standards. You'll also find HERE a suggestion for you and your cat.

And of course – just for the sake of completeness – the surroundings also need to be suitable for outdoor access. A cat ramp leading straight to a six-lane ring road, or right onto a busy intersection in the city centre, is simply not a good idea.

Despite all precautions – the cat doesn't come home

Let's assume your cat is an experienced outdoor explorer who always comes strolling through the (cat) door at the same time, or at least every morning. And then, suddenly – she doesn't. We can tell you – everyone on our team with outdoor cats has experienced this moment! Naturally, you become uneasy and start to worry right away. And unfortunately, that worry isn't unfounded. Various studies show that outdoor cats have a life expectancy that is on average three to five years shorter than indoor cats. Some blogs even mention an average of up to ten years less. So we have to say – your concerns are understandable and justified.

As soon as you notice your cat is missing, we first recommend – despite the worry – staying calm. First make sure your furry housemate is really gone, and not simply hiding very well. Then, as a next step, we recommend searching. If possible, your home should now always be accessible to the cat, since cats often come strolling back after a few hours as if nothing happened. So even if you go searching outside, try to leave the cat flap open, or ask a neighbour to keep an eye on the open home. When searching, it's best to take along a treat tin or food packaging whose sound your cat knows well. The familiar jingle of a favourite toy often helps too. Depending on when you notice your cat has disappeared, searching immediately can make more or less sense. Cats often hide during the day – even if they hear or even see their owners, they won't come out of their hiding spot. It's usually easier for them in the evening or at night. That's why our tip is: keep searching after dark as well. Keep calling for your cat and make familiar, gentle sounds, just like with the food tin.

The cat is still missing – further steps

You haven't slept all night and searched like crazy, and your beloved family member is still not back? Then it's time to make your cat's disappearance public. Go through the neighbourhood, ring doorbells wherever you can, and put up flyers. The flyer should definitely include a good photo and an exact description of your cat, your phone number on tear-off strips, and a request for passers-by to check their cellars or sheds. As strange as it sounds – many cats really do fall victim to their own curiosity and get shut in such spaces unnoticed. Especially in spring, you'll see many such flyers hanging on traffic lights or walls. Very important: even neutered cats sometimes get a bit of spring fever and stay out extra long, or head out extra long after the cold winter months. In the process, they sometimes lose track of time… It also makes sense to call the local vets, since many people who find a stray cat first look for help and advice there. It also makes sense to file a report with the local animal shelter, and we also recommend informing the police. Because here too, people who find animals go looking for advice. If your cat isn't marked with an ID, be sure to go to the animal shelter yourself and take a look – often, this is how people and pets are happily reunited very quickly!

Don't give up hope!

Unfortunately, we know this scenario too: the cat can't be found anywhere. No one has seen her, and even an inquiry to the local road authority about animal accidents turns up nothing new. We have to admit – this is when we often despair ourselves. What else can you do? Our vet Sandra has an almost unbelievable story about this: in her first years, Sandra lived with her two cats in an attic flat on the second floor. One day, when she came home, her female cat, Scampi, was missing. There's no other explanation – she had fallen from the balcony despite the cat safety net (Sandra's note: after that, the cats were never left unsupervised on the balcony again, net or no net…). She started searching immediately, but Scampi was nowhere to be found. To make matters worse, Scampi wasn't used to being outdoors at all, and this was the very first time in her life she'd ever been outside. And – Sandra lived between a railway junction and a four-lane road. She was almost certain this cat wasn't coming back. Still, Sandra didn't give up and searched every single night. After two weeks, she was already starting to think about a second cat – because her tomcat Monaco was suffering terribly from the loss of his playmate. But she simply couldn't bring herself to give up that quickly. After a full three weeks, Scampi suddenly appeared in the front garden of the house. Completely silent, by the way. Only when her owner called out did she timidly respond, and after another endless three minutes, the cat family was reunited. Scampi was completely emaciated and covered in ticks and fleas, but otherwise healthy. The fall and the weeks of fasting afterwards left no lasting effects.

What we want to say with this: cats can go missing for weeks and suddenly come back. And: they cope with far more out there than we can even imagine. So don't give up hope! By the way, Scampi is still alive, and after 10 years as an outdoor cat, she's now, at 18 years old, become a true house cat who just likes to lounge comfortably on the terrace. She fiercely ignores the garden.