Also, it is helpful if you cover the trap with a blanket - so that he can't see in it. That would double as a way to keep him (somewhat) warm, but I agree that the trap needs to be checked very frequently. The idea of covering the trap makes it less suspicious to him. He has to follow the scent of the food rather than looking in at it from the side and risking setting of the trap while trying to get at it from the side.

Even putting some branches over the trap is helpful as camouflage.

If the cat is likely to run if you approach, it is counter-productive to put other food outside of the trap, on the porch, etc. He'll take that and be sated. You need him to need to go into the trap.

BUDDY IS HOME!!!!!!

After getting calls and emails where an orange and white cat was spotted, we would go and check it out, or they would send a picture of the one they found. The cats weren't Buddy. A number of orange and white cats are outside, or found!

Yesterday Brian sent us an email that Buddy was spotted under a canoe at the side of a house. I went during the day and walked the crescent, calling him. Went twice, no sight to be seen.

Late last nite we got a call from our friend that a neighbour caught Buddy and he is in there sunroom. "Brian" went over and yes, it was Buddy!!

He's home, safe and sound, skinnier, but warm. I would love to know where he's been to be safe from the cold!

"Brian" was really sad. He said on the weekend that all he wants for Christmas is his girlfriend and Buddy.

He's taking down the posters.....40 of them, this morning. :)

Great news! Yay for everyone!!

awesome!! I was so hoping for a happy ending!

Oh, that is such good news.....what a wonderful Christmas gift.

A miracle at Christmas - YES!

So glad to here he is home. We are still looking for Winston, a runaway cat in our neighborhood. We've seen Winston in our backyard but didn't know he was missing at the time.

When I saw this pop up again,I thought "Ooo! I hope it's a Christmas miracle!". So glad it is!

This is great news! Buddy had an adventure and lived to tell about it. Let's hope he doesn't try that again!

So happy to hear that Brian and Buddy are reunited. A great Christmas Miracle.
Mary

What a lovely post to see this morning! So happy for 'Brian!'

"Buddy!!! What were you thinking, silly cat?!"

Wonderful news!!

Happy happy Christmas news. Buddy will be celebrating with the family.

What a nice happy ending.

I'm so thankful that this story had a happy ending.

I am so glad he is home!

Those who give of themselves in devotion to the happiness and well-being of our animal friends are my favorite kind of people.

I'm so glad for Buddy and all concerned.

See...it worked out..he may now appreciate inside!

I kept checking for updates and am so thrilled to hear that Buddy is home. What a wonderful Christmas gift for Brian!

Pleased to hear that the frivolous feline has finished his frolic ... well, for the present, at least.

He's been having a rather snowy, chilly time of it, in that often we don't get snow before Christmas, but lots of it has appeared on the scene recently.

ole joyful

I'm missing my cat and I have tried everything. There are tons of cats in my neighbourhood so I don't think a predator has gotten him. Some people say that they saw him but like I said tons of cats in my area. I've put the litter box out on my deck and a cat used it but I don't know if it was him. Is that a good sign or will other cats use his litter? I know cats like their own litter boxes so I'm hoping it's a sign he's comin around at night.

Have you listed him lost in your local paper/craigslist or whatever serves your area? Put up flyers with his pic and your phone #, etc? Called local animal services to make sure if he's turned in that they know you are looking for him?

I might try staying up very late and calling for him at night; he might hole up and sleep during the day, then prowl around at night, enjoying his new adventure?

I've tried everything I think. All shelters and social media sites have been informed. Fliers, reward offered, been door to door. Search every morning and night. People say they think they saw him BUT there are dozens of cats in this area, strays and outdoor cats. It's like cat utopia here. Millions of places to hide. People feed them, even charity based animal groups give them medical care and release them. There are next to zero predators here so I'm hoping he just got displaced and will find his way home.

What im wondering is if another cat would use his litter. Or would he come home use it and then go off on an adventure again. He's not used to being outside and he's somewhat prissy so I don't think he would be keen on not using his litter also isn't it like a territory thing and that other cats wouldn't want to use his litter box. Because a cat has def used it in the last couple days.

I think it's possible he is using it, but any other cat who wanders upon it might, too. "Hmmm, here's a nice dry place to pee!" I don't think the fact that it's his box would deter others. You could try a motion detector camera to see who's using it.

I really hope you find him! Post back when he comes home.

I think the most important thing to do is ask your neighbors to check their garages and any crawl spaces or attic spaces that might possibly be accessible. Kitties often go in, unnoticed, and get locked inside. Good luck--I hope you find him soon.

Thanks. You and me both. It's heartbreaking

So glad Buddy is home...my 14 year old girl cat went outside many months ago, I know she went to be alone so she could cross the rainbow bridge! I still hope to see her but know it won't happen, she was really getting down with her age. It is so sad not to know for sure!

Keep us posted.

Banann, you might try putting a wild animal trap (the humane kind!) in the yard with a towel, or jeans or something that has your scent on it. He might smell it and come home.

Oh Cheryl, that is awful. Smudge, our Maine Coon is going to the vet next week. He's 15 and is losing weight. It could be diabetes, thyroid or renal/kidney failure. He's active otherwise, still boxes with Bud and runs around. I'm so sorry for you.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. One way to find out who is using the litter is to set up a motion camera-either security or wildlife. Cats are strange- he could either be too scared and freaked out to respond, or reverting to more feral tendencies being outside. If it's him on camera, set up done traps again with strong smelling food to entice him. Canned or tuna. I've heard kfc chicken is super enticing as well.

That is such great news. Is he okay?

That's fantastic Banann. Did someone take him in, or did he come home on his own?

I found him across the street under a picnic table with a stray kitty. Persistence found him I guess. He's happy and healthy. Little dirty lol.

Oh, I'm so glad to read this! What a good feeling.

Glad to hear. It's an adventure, maybe a love story, for him to savor into his old age. :)

Glad to hear it! It is heartbreaking to lose a pet. Would you be able to rescue the stray, too? It may belong to someone who is also looking.

He was probably telling the stray kitty about the wonderful home that he has. :-)

You don't understand. I'd love too but the strays are very well taken care of here. There are cat houses EVERYWHERE! Every deck has litter boxes and kibble on them. There is even an older gentleman that leaves a porch that's heated open for when it's cold. It's unbelievable the kindness here. It was part of the reason I moved here. I figured if he got out he had a fighting chance here lol.

Wow, that's fantastic Banann? Where do you live?

A local cat rescue operation goes to the places where there are feral families (wrecking yards etc) and traps them. The moms get spayed and the kittens come back to get fostered out for a few weeks to get used to humans then they go out for adoption.

I've had many cars over the years. I keep all of them inside. I currently have 2 cats. Thirteen year old female "Dewey" actually runs AWAY from the door, and hides when it's open. The othe, 4 year old male Desi slipped out thru an open unscreened basement window a few weeks ago. He was missing about a day, but came back and sat near the window meowing to be let back in. I'm glad Banann Err got the cat back!

Sorry to revive this thread, but my cat has been missing for almost 4 days now and I feel absolutely devastated. I adopted my Clause from an animal shelter on Christmas Day, 2013. Finding him would be the greatest Christmas gift I could ever ask for.

An emotional thread for me, but I read every word. As an animal lover - cats are on the top of the list. In our apartment we're charged $40 a month for any pet, so I'm unable to have another cat, but I still went through agony with these lost-cat owners. Hope they were cuddled consistently when found.

WHAT A RELIEF!!!!!!

Saxheel, I wish you all the very best and I sincerely hope Claus comes home! What a perfect name!!! Be sure to put out flyers and advertise on Facebook.

Do some of the things we did, looking for Buddy. Put out a blanket or sweater with your scent.

(((((Saxheel and Claus)))))

Don't forget Craig's List. They have a lost and found also.

Have done all the above, plus more. Except Craigslist as I am in Australia..this is his 4th night out, and we are experiencing terribly high winds. Don't know what to do but I can't bear the thought of him being stuck outside :(

Chances are he's near the house. We lost a cat a few years back for a couple of days. I spent hours outside calling him around the neighborhood losing hope. Then one night I decided to check one more time before bed so I grabbed a flashlight and went out in the backyard and happened to shine it down the side yard and caught cat eyes reflecting!

The little stinker was hiding under the house the whole time but too afraid to come out even when I walked right by him. Try looking at night around your house. Good luck!!!!