Oh, man. I am so sorry to hear this, Janie. Do we know for 100% positive that Elmo went outside? For sure, for sure? Because he could still be hiding in the house or locked up in something and just be real quiet. I know I looked in every possible place for Murphy, thinking he might have been trapped somewhere.

Also, the local pounds are notorious for having lost pets and not knowing it, or at least not admitting it, so you may want to drive over and take a quick run thru, to look for yourself. It would be awful if Elmo was there and they didn't know it.

Would Elmo allow a stranger to touch him, for capture? I don't think most of mine would, which made it even scarier for me.

I'm hugging ya, Janie and hoping really hard for a safe return of that boy.

I'm so sorry. I've had cats "escape" into the great outdoors but they always hang around my yard so I've been able to corral them. My current cat hates the outside and is afraid of outside doors. She actually runs and hides when I open the front door. Good luck to you and Elmo.

Mingo, I think he would let someone pick him up as long as a car or dog was not spooking him. He would run to the door when we have visitors and climb all over them if allowed. He loves old people and if he can find a way into your bed- you have a friend for life.

Good point about the pound. Will try to get Eric to go over there today- not sure if I need to go alone. Every time my mom went by the pound in GA, we acquired a new pet. She was finally banded from even going down the road.

Based on how Ara and Stewie are acting, I do not see how he could be in the house. Short of removing everything from each room, I have no idea where else to look in the house. I have to work all day, every day this week but come Saturday, I will take apart the beds and stuff. All the closets are open and I have poked around in them. I even checked the drop ceiling but no Elmo. Eric took the latticework off the porch so we could see under it better and so he could get under there if necessary.

I Googled lost cat tips and got some useful hits. Here's just one. I haven't read the others, so they might be even better.

Sounds crazy, but have you checked your car(s)? Cats and slip in and out of just about anything unnoticed.

Also, notify your local radio stations. Many run a Lost and Found service.

Oh Janie, I sure hope he comes back, I know how we'd feel if one of our dogs disappeared, it's so unsettling to not know where he is.

It looks like you are doing all that can be done. I sure hope you find him soon. (((Janie)))

(((Janie)))...sending good thoughts your way!!!
I have been worying about Elmo. Mine have gotten out a time or two and I am a wreck!
I so hope he comes home soon.

Be sure the kids in the neighborhood are aware he is missing. If you don't know the kids, go after dinner and speak to the parents and kids from all around. Kids run all over the neighborhoods and can be your eyes and ears for sure. Offer a kid friendly reward such as a Toys R Us GC or Dairy Queen GC if they find him and they will look nonstop!!! Also leave a note and picture for the mailman.

I'd look inside and outside of the house really well to make sure he isn't caught up someplace. My sister had a cat that got caught in the pool liner and couldn't get loose.

Our previous cat used to hide all the time in places my dh never thought she could. She loved it when I'd clean out a closet or reorganize because it was new.

I meant to add I hope you find Elmo soon.

I'm so sorry, Janie. I thought you would have found him by now. I don't know what else you can do other than visit the shelters yourself as suggested.

Good Luck,

Linda

I had a cat that got lost twice. The first time we knew she had slipped out the night before when we had guests. We looked and looked for her and finally after about 4 days, I spotted her at night as I was driving down our driveway. She was hungry, thirsty and thinner. The next time she disappeared for a couple of days when I lived in a second story apartment. That time we think she was in the house the whole time. I sure hope you find Elmo soon.

Contact your Utility Companies. Meter readers can help!

Donna (^_^)

One of my cats went missing for about 2 days. I looked all over and called him. Finally one night at about 9 pm I went out for one last look. It was completely dark at that time. I had a flashlight and I looked down the side yard and I saw it reflect in his eyes. When I tried to approach him, he ducked back under his hiding place.

Finally I kept calling him and he came out and I was able to grab him. He had been hiding under the house the whole time!

Chances are he's probably very close by and, if he's like my cat, too scared to come out! So maybe try looking at night, very quietly, just you and the flashlight.

I hope you find him soon. I know how scary it is.

I hope Elmo comes home soon.

I lost my cat Beau once - he was gone for a week. I looked high and low for him, rubbing his hard plastic bowl on the cement stoop and the sound of that would usually bring him home. Not that time. One night early in the wee hours when all was quiet outside I went into the backyard and could hear a faint meow. I called him and Beau meowed louder so I followed the sound like a hound dog. LOL I found Beau locked in my neighbours garage 2 doors over. I guess when he saw the garage door open he went inside for a nap and when the door was shut he was locked in. Mrs Wilson had gone on vacation and this big 2 car garage door was shut and locked tight. I couldn't get my cat out! Thank goodness for the rubber gasket on the bottom of the door that gave me a few inches to shove food and water under the door. I knew I would have to clean up the garage when my neighbour came home but my smart cat found a big bag of opened potting soil to use as litter. My cat was in that garage for a week. Ask your neighbours to check their garages. My cat also had a notorious habit of climbing into cars that were parked on the street if car windows were left open.

Is Elmo wearing a collar? You might also want to check along chain link fences in your neighbourhood. My neighbours cat's collar got caught in the fence and it didn't break away and the ending was a sad one.

Elmo's probably out having the time of his life not knowing how worried you are about him.

Anne

Check your attic, both above the house as well as above the garage, thoroughly. And any basement or cellar area.

Years ago our neighbor's cat was probably hit by a car and managed to climb up into their attic over the garage (through the garage.) He couldn't meow loud enough for them to hear him for two weeks, but survived when they finally found him.

My current neighbor's cat just got stuck overnight for the second time (silly boy!) in her neighbor's garage attic area--he has a really loud meow so they were able to figure out where he was since he'd moved to a vent and look out, meowing pitifully.

My other neighbor's indoor cat got out, was frightened by another bully cat and high-tailed it down the street, not knowing where he was going. He was finally found two weeks later in the back yard of a family who had been on vacation, cozying up to a yard decoration.

I sure do hope you find him very soon! Isn't it lucky most cats can fend for themselves in the food department if they are lost outside?

Janie it sounds like your doing everything you could possible do, and so many here have great suggestions and lost cat stories. So I don't have anything to add, except that I sure hope he shows up soon, safe and sound. He is a beautiful cat !

I like chi83's idea of the flashlight, we've done that before to find one of our cats when he was freaked out over a visiting dog that attacked him. He stayed outside for 3 days unless we dragged him in, then he stayed under our bed.

Come on, Elmo! Make us all happy and come home!

Did you look in the engine of the car? Or under the car? Sometimes cats will craw up under a car, trailer or? Do you have any big hawks, owls? I hope he shows up soon.

So far, we are up to 6 stray B&W cats and 2 missing B&W cats but none of the strays match the missing ones. There is also a beagle that has been missing for a few weeks.

As instructed by the humane society lady, I just finished ringing the outside of our hose in used cat litter. Apparently, Elmo is supposed to be able to smell his poop and find his way home. Should be interesting how many strays we attract with this!

We do not have a garage and the attic is on the second story of the house with no access- not even a tree overhanging the house. I put washer fluid in my car yesterday and both cars have been driven since he disappeared. Best I can tell all the cars on the street have been driven.

Eric walked part of the neighborhood today- no way we can walk it in a single day... between the number of streets and the 45 degree angle hills, WE wouldn't make it home! I came in the neighborhood a different way and cornered people who had just gotten home from work but no one had seen a strange cat recently.

The mom to the other missing B&W cat dropped by a picture this afternoon. That way, we can keep a look out for both at the same time. Her cat, Domino, has a similar face marking as Elmo but Domino also has two cute black freckles on his nose. Domino went missing a week or so ago- apparently he has done this before- she said he shows up about the time she takes out an ad.

Ara is sitting on my leg- half comforting me, half demanding that I put the laptop down. Stewie is acting more normal today, not sure if that is good or bad.

A number of years ago my friends daughter, three children, three cats and two dogs had to move in with my friend in the midst of her divorce. One of the cats disappeared and several months later, a neighbor called and asked if they could take care of his cat while he was away. When the daughter came home she said "Mom, that was my cat!" Because they had such a full household (and my friend is not exactly an animal lover) they were thrilled the cat found a good home. I hope Elmo returns but if not, I prefer to think he found a wonderful home.

The one thing I forgot to suggest is to put out water if there isn't a water source nearby. Putting out food would just attract other animals and rodents so I wouldn't do that. They can go a long time without food but not long without water.

I would think that with the two others, they'd let you know if he was in the house. Stewie's actions suggest to me (FWIW) that Elmo is outside. For the sake of discussion, IF he were seriously ill or injured inside and if it were so bad he couldn't meow or move, the others would have found him by now. I've seen dying animals go off to be by themselves but they're hiding from people and other animals can find them. Plus, animals are much like people in that they're often tattletales. (Tattletails?) Stewie's actions sound like he'd let you know if he knew where Elmo was. Almost seems like he wants to go out and look for him!

I do agree to physically go to the shelters and do a quick look - it might be hard to leave without some under the arms but it's still a good idea.

BTW, amusing as it is, I hope Eric understands what high praise he was given by the gift offering. That cat thought very highly of him!

Thanks for the update. Sorry it's not better news but I hope the weather is cooperating for you and Elmo and all my best wishes to get that boy back home, safe, sound and soon!

Cynic, Eric understands, he is a "dog person" that appreciates cats. He was afraid the cat would react like a dog with a food treat and he didn't want to lose a hand.

Right now there is a stand off through our front door between the stray orange cat that has taken over out porch and Stewie & Ara. If poor Elmo can see the orange cat, I am not sure what he would so- most of the time he is not a confrontation cat. And I cannot figure out how to keep this orange cat away from the house.

Janie, don't give up hope. (I know you're not, but I also know what you're feeling and it's so hard to stay positive.)

I keep coming here hoping to see a big, new post with lots of exclamation points..... I'm going to keep watching, too. You have all my sympathy and good wishes, sweetie. Tell Stewie I said hi, OK, and to keep watching for Elmo.

Janie, you're doing a good job with all the things you're doing to bring Elmo home. I also have to agree with making regular visits to the animal shelter; it's not easy but necessary IMO.

This is the worst feeling and I sure hate this for you, Elmo and all his friends. ;(

I'm keeping my fingers crossed your Elmo will soon return.

Put up signs with his photo and offer a big reward (like $500). That will get people out looking. I know it worked when my friend's Dachshund slipped out.

To follow up to my earlier post...

Keep in mind that cats are nocturnal. During the day with all the commotion, they are probably hiding out, or sleeping. I've found it's much more likely to get a cat to respond at night, when they are awake and alert and less is going on around them.

I hope you find him. I am a cat lover and I am very distressed when I lose one of mine.

Still have hope but also trying to ease into the idea that if something has happened to him that hopefully it was not too traumatic and we will find out.

The orange cat met me at the door this morning, he crawled out of Elmo's little house stretching and yawning. This evening, I took the little house over to a neighbor's house (another neighbor said that family had been feeding the orange cat). They didn't come to the door when I knocked so I left the little house and a note asking if they would keep it on their porch. The cat came up as I was leaving so I shoved him in the house so he would know it was over there now. Hopefully, they will let him keep it.

Maybe if that cat is not sleeping on our porch, Elmo will come back sooner. He is more of a pacifist and does not like confrontation with other animals if at all possible.