Today we're talking about when cats go missing.
About three years ago my big fluffy black cat Teddy went missing. After the first evening I was a little
bit worried I sort of sensed there was something something was up.
If you return to an empty home you may be concerned that your cat is lost or missing and you
know your cat best. It very much depends on their personality and their
usual habits. So, for example some cats may frequently wander off for a few days
and return with no trouble. Whereas other cats may be always in to greet their
owners like clockwork.
If you're genuinely concerned that your cat may be missing there are some things that you can do.
It's important to have a thorough look. So, the first thing to do is to check your home and garden. Your cat may
be hiding in the most unlikely of places. From cupboards to sheds and garages.
And, so, by the second night I was really quite worried and I would go out at
night. 2:00 in the morning and later at 4:00 in the morning just to check. And,
just to listen because it was so quiet I thought if he's meowing I better hear
him in a neighbor's shed or something. So, I'd go out it was really quiet and try
to listen. And, I couldn't hear anything.
Your cat may be more active at night particularly during hotter weather.
Go out with a friend or family member when it's dark to call your cat by name. Leave
out a bowl of water and some food. A tasty treat like some tuna
may be enough to entice your cat back home. Cats have got an amazing sense of
smell so leaving a toy a favourite blanket or even an item of your clothing
out in your garden can leave a scent trail to entice your cat to come home.
It's worth asking around. So, speak to neighbours as well as local delivery
people. Someone may have seen your cat. It is also worth contacting local veterinary
practices and animal rescue charities someone may have handed your cat in.
Putting up posters is a great way of getting your message out that your cat
is missing. Your posters and flyers should include a clear photograph
showing any distinctive marking as well as note in the area that your
cats are seen. And, of course a telephone number. Share your search on local social
media sites particularly any local community groups. If your cat is
microchipped now is the time to call the company and register that your cat is missing.
Microchipping offers cats a safe and permanent form of identification and
increase the chance of a lost cat being reunited with their owner.
The next day when it was light I thought right I'm not allowed to go there but
I'm gonna go into the farmer's field and I am going to have a look around because I was
so desperate.
And, I went along the hedgerows. Calling as I knew that he
hunts mice and the hedgerows I thought he might be up here. I couldn't find him
anywhere and and then I had the the awful task I thought well I better check
the road. Because, he's been missing throughout three days now and I better
just check the road that goes down there, by the farmers field.
If your cat is currently missing it's important to never give up! Most cats are reunited
with their owners even if they've been missing for a while.
Well, I started to walk down the road with a stick and I was poking around in the Stingers and
the nettles. Calling for him thinking he's going to be down here maybe hurt.
And, then I heard a little noise and I thought "it can't be".
And, then I called again and then *meow*. There he was it was Teddy's call and I recognized it
straightaway. And, thought is is alive where is he I thought it must be hurt.
He's got a broken leg or something and I was looking around it you know in the
Stingers and the nettles and every thing.
And then I realised it was coming from up above and he was writing the top of the tree.
I was delighted to see him of course and he was very much alive. But, he was so high up!
So, I thought right quick emergency! I ran home and got a ladder which ended up
being far too small as it turned out. But, I climbed up the ladder and then it only
went so far and I realized the only way I could climb this tree was to jump to
another branch. Which, was a bit of a risky thing to do because I hadn't told
anyone where I was and if I fell and hurt myself no one would have ever heard
me. But, I thought I'll risk it anyway and lept at this branch...
And, luckily caught it and pulled myself up. And, fought my way through this prickly tree and
finally got Teddy he was so pleased to see me. I brushed him down, he looked fine.
And, I lowered him down a little bit and then gently lowered him down and just
dropped him off out of the tree. He landed in the long grass he was fine he
was all happy. Tail in the air. Then he looked at me and realized and I realized
I was stuck up this tree.
And the only way I could get down was to actually hug the trunk and then just slide down. Which, cut me and tore me to pieces.
It's amazing that the lengths you go to for your pets!
So, Teddy going missing for those few days was very scary. But, it all worked
out well in the end and and it gave me an idea for new Simon's Cat film.