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From what I have read Buzz does fit the profile of a timid indoor cat that is hiding.

"As far as sightings go ... He was spotted on day 12 (three houses down on the other side of the street early morning) and day 13 (three houses down on my side of the street at 10:30 pm)."

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Hi Kim,

I'm sorry to hear about Buzz. Thank you for providing such a good description.

Did you happen to see which way he traveled when he went under the deck?

Did the neighbor who spotted him on the 13th describe the behavior of the cat?

The predators are a worry, but hopefully they mostly stay in the open undeveloped areas. I think there is still a good chance Buzz could be nearby. I know what you mean about not wanting to stay too close. If you are fairly confident about the sighting on day 13, I would definitely recommend trapping in that area in particular, and trapping 5 houses in each way (and across the street) as well. My kitty Sage was not seen at all but obviously kept herself well hidden before she was trapped.

There are instructions on trapping here:
catsinthebag.org

Best regards,
Pauline

Oh my goodness, you have your hands full! I'm amazed how much effort people put into finding their pets even with a million other things going on in their lives — not to mention a very sick baby. . .I'm so glad baby is almost all better.

Yes I *do* understand about the guilt. I think everyone with a lost pet feels there is something they could have done differently. We all think that "if we had only known. . . " that things would be different. . .but we aren't omniscient, we can only do our best. After that, we just try not to beat ourselves up too much over it. I do understand.

"I do not consider the rainy nights as full efforts."

I completely agree. Several people have told me of their cats that only surface after the weather clears.

"I even printed a copy for my husband and mom (who both believe cats just come home when they are ready)"

Many many people think this. .. and some cats do come home. But many other cats don't come home on their own. It's a very difficult thing to believe unless you've experienced it.

I think a systematic trapping schedule is in order. You know how money managers say that you need to make regular investments every month rather than try to buy at the low point in the stock market? I think with trapping it's the same. After educating ourselves on the type of behavior of indoor only cats in general, we can only theorize what might have happened with Buzz in particular and could sit around all day wondering how to pinpoint his location. But maybe the investment advice can be applied here — don't worry about the ups and downs of the market just keep making regular investments with those 2 traps. Keep trapping and move them to the next spot.

I have been wondering about the behavior of an indoor-only cat that may have been previously outdoor access. Regarding Buzz- we adopted him at the age of approximately 2. We kept him indoor-only for the past 15 months that we have had him. I have no idea how he was cared for in his first two years. We adopted him from a veterinary clinic that places "strays". I have been basing my search for him based on the fact that we kept him indoor and the few times when he did try to escape he was frightened quickly back inside.

Thanks, Kim

Pauline,

My kitty Buzz is still missing. I am still trapping using two traps. Tonight one is under my deck and the other is four houses down (my side of the street). It is across the street from the sightings on day 12 (diagonally) and 13 (across the street but basically next door as it is the corner and these people are the only ones on the other side of the street). Where we live it is very quiet at night.

To the best I can determine there are no outdoor/ indoor cats in our neighborhood. I worry about a source of water for Buzz. We had alot of rain earlier but none in the last 5-6 days. I don't worry as much about food as we are near a field and a wooded area. Tonight I was walking in the wooded area at dusk and the ground came alive with rodents. It was pretty creepy!

As far as trapping... when you left the traps in your yard did you move them from place to place or keep them in the same spot? Where I live everyone has a deck. There are no fences except across the street some of the houses have a split rail type fence at the back near brush. It starts out at the first house as wooded and by the time you are behind the 3rd and 4th house it is just brush. Landscaping is pretty immature for the most part. I have put the trap in my yard under the deck, against the side of the house near where the fireplace juts out, in the ditch, next to the front porch, and next to the kids swingset, and play fort. These are the only places it is not just out in the open. During the day I put food out under the kids fort, on the side of the house, and on the front porch. My hope is that the wind will carry the scent and entice Buzz back home at night. Two nights ago something ate the food on the side of the house. We forgot to bring the food in and set the trap there the next night. No luck.

We caught a racoon in the wooded area. Should we retrap there? Or will we just catch more racoons? Would the cat be around the racoon? Is it considered a threat?

Thank you for any feedback.
Kim

Hello Kim,

How is the search for Buzz going? Did you ever try the camcorder or camera to see if that was Buzz eating out of the trap? There are a couple of great posts I will copy and paste here from 2 different people who both found their cats, one had problems with racoons and ended up using a camera to find out about who was eating out of the trap; and the other, she (Jenne) helps explain the solution of what to do about the racoons, I am not sure if it will work with possums, but you could also ask Jenne and I am sure she would know that one too. Here on the 2 posts, maybe they will help you:

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From: Jenne4772@aol.com
Date: Sun Apr 6, 2003 7:07 pm
Subject: Re: How do we catch a cat and not a racoon??

Yes! I know this, I have the answer to this, I'm good at this!!! I live in Texas!

You have to spread food around the trap -- but not too close to the trap, or kitty will get intimidated -- that raccoons love but kitties hate. Alfalfa pellets, corn, bird seed, trail mix for squirrels -- all these are great. Remember, though, put the trap closer to your house and shielded from the raccoons so that the kitty will feel safe.

Raccoons will get full and happy, and you will get your kitty back! Everyone wins!

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From: "phildietrich" <pdietrich@iohio.com>
Date: Sun Apr 6, 2003 6:41 am
Subject: How do we catch a cat and not a racoon??

Mandy is a 6 yr. old, very much indoor, declawed cat who got out the
day before yesterday during a severe storm in which the door blew
open. She is an extremely timid cat and although we spent much of
the day searching for her and calling her, she did not respond even
though I had a feeling she was close by. By the time it started
getting dark, we decided some serious detective work was in order.

We set up her cage with some food in it and wedged the door open such
that it would close once she pushed her way through it. Then we set
up a video camera to monitor any action. We were out for a couple of
hours and when we came home, to our great excitement, the food was
gone but no animal had been trapped. We quickly rewound the video
tape and sat back expectantly to watch our beloved cat return home.
Instead, what we saw were 3 huge ugly racoons lumber up to her food
and proceed to eat every last morsel. After this disappointing
event, we decided to leave the cage out but we didn't leave the door
open this time just to see if Mandy would come around to investigate
throughout the night.

This morning when we watched the videotape, we were thrilled to see that around 2 am, she did return for a while but when she found that she couldn't get to the food in the cage, she left again. Other than staying up all night to do 24 hr. surveillance, does anyone have any suggestions as to how to trap Mandy and not those pesky racoons??? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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Hope you find Buzz real soon
-MoniQue

Kim,

Thanks for replying as I was wondering what was currently going on with Buzz. I have a couple of questions: During those 3 days that you DID have the sightings of Buzz, what were the weather conditions like? Did the sightings stop when the weather became snowy and raining?

I am also wondering how reliable the sighting was at the house 3 doors down? It sure sounds like it was Buzz. Is the lady who spotted him familar with cats in general? Are there any other cats in that area, say 3-4 houses away, that look like Buzz?

If not, and if the sighting was Buzz, then yes, you are correct, he is very close still. He is not going to wander too far from there, although he could've wandered into the woods. He could've gotten scared and ventured out further away, but my guess is not too far, as Buzz was an indoor cat.

Also, is there anywhere around say within a couple of blocks where Buzz could have gotten trapped in somewhere? An abandoned house, construction holes, crevices, etc.? In any of the garages in that area?

As far as Buzz eating mice, was Buzz a cat that did that prior to becoming missing? I mean, was he a bit of a hunter type cat even around the house, catching bugs, etc?

I take it that you live in a rural area, how many houses are within say 3-4 blocks of your house? and what is the distance and places or things within that span? what animals or pets are around this immediate area, lots of trees? woods? etc. please let me know, perhaps we can figure something out, but if you are sure the food that you are leaving out is not being eaten.

Perhaps Buzz sought cover and hid when it rained in someone's garage or somewhere. I had a cat that disappeared during a 5-day rainstorm. When he finally popped back up he was very sick with pnuemonia. I never found out where he was during that time. I had thought perhaps he had sought refuge in my landlord's private office and then ran and hid when my landlord came and then the landlord locked the door, because it was the same day that the cat came back when I saw my landlord open up his office. During those 5 days my landlord did not go into his office. I know this because my bedroom wall was his office wall and I was in bed every day with an illness so I would've heard the office door open if he had went into it.
-monique


-MoniQue

Here is my latest searching for Buzz update. Monique thank you for your post! Below I have attempted to answer all of your questions.

I want to start by saying that I canÂ’t believe it has been 36 days already! It was only 37 nights ago that I passed Buzz in the hall as I went to bed and he was heading in to sleep in my daughters room!! I miss him so much!

The story of Francine and Alex really came at a time that I needed to hear it. Good for them!! I also re-read the stories of Sage and Suzy (lost outside her vet) over and over when I start to get discouraged. I keep reminding myself that Sage was never spotted while she was gone! It is sure an emotional time as you all know.

We had originally thought that there were two sightings of Buzz. The third was just “eyes” in the wooded area. The “eyes” could have been a raccoon or some other animal. The first sighting (day 12) turned out not to be him. It was also not in the area or at the time that I had originally been told (long story). Anyway…. on day 13 at a house three houses down (on my side of the street) a man (who after seeing a picture) believes he saw Buzz at 10:30 pm. He seemed fairly confident that it was Buzz. Apparently their motion light went on behind the house. When he got up to see what caused it to come on he saw a cat. This family is selling their house by owner and he had placed a For Sale sign next to my Lost Cat sign earlier that day. He went outside and the cat ran to the front of the house. He drove and got our number off the sign. By the time I walked down the cat was gone. It is this sighting that I cling too! After searching this area I walked back home and got a can of tuna. I walked back to the yard of the sighting and walked around with the tuna then back home again. In the morning the tuna was gone. I have only had one other time where something ate the food that I left out. I leave food out everyday. I wonder if part of the problem is that at night the cold kind of freezes it and during the day the wind dries it out. I replace food moring and evening.

I am only aware of one cat that has outdoor access in our subdivision. I am told that this cat is only out during the daytime. Until I trapped a rather large orange tabby one week ago I have never even seen a cat in our neighborhood (of about 20 houses). Not sure where this guy was from. I released him right away.

I live in a somewhat rural area where houses are on one to two acre lots. The houses across the street from me back up to new construction. I regularly stop in at the houses that are in progress and ask the guys working if they have seen a cat. I have also searched myself a few times. During the day this area is noisy and very busy. Some of the houses are even being worked on over weekends. The area with new homes and the homes on our street are separated by a small wooded area. The wooded area is not very thick and eventually thins out to just brush separating the two areas. There is an access road from our neighborhood to the newer part where many people walk, ride bikes etc. To the west of our street is a cornfield. To the east is a fairly busy street with a cornfield on the other side of the street. Directly south of me (out the back) are houses from the only other street in our subdivision. I am only a yard away from an 18- acre brush field. Then south of these houses is another somewhat busy road with another subdivison to the south of that road. Monique, does that give you an idea of the area? Try picturing two pretty frequently traveled country roads. The area that I described is in the NW quadrant of where the roads intersect. Did that help or lead to further confusion? Suffice it to say that where I live there are cornfields, brush areas, and houses grouped in subdivisions between the fields! There are no businesses within 3-4 miles.

Buzz never had an opportunity to eat mice before and now I am just hopeful that he has found something to help sustain him! He did try to chase/catch flies inside the house during the summer. He also would go after spiders and nibble on grass (cat).

You asked about the weatherÂ…. It has been pretty variable. The night that Buzz was spotted it was in the upper 50Â’s with very light winds. Most nights since he has been gone have been in the 30s and 40s. Some lows even in the 20s. It is pretty open here and the breeze never seems to stop. That night was one of the nicest. Only a few nights since then have been that warm. It was also a few days after thunderstorms and snow would have stopped. I have looked back and tried to correlate the weather with this sighting. In the last week we have had about 3 inches of rain again. During the days (since he has been gone) it has fluctuated between the 30s and upper 70s. Many of the nice days it has dipped down pretty cold at night though. Except the night of the sighting! That night was a perfect beautiful night. Not cold at all!

You also asked about pets, other animals, trees etc. As I mentioned I have not seen any cats in our subdivison. There are a few outside dogs but even they seem to get brought inside some nights. Maybe because it has been cold? I have heard there is a good deal of wildlife in the area. I have trapped one raccoon. I saw a fox two weeks ago in my yard. First time. My other cat Cosmo had actually gotten out when I let our dog in and he chased the fox away!! I read that foxes do not generally prey upon cats. Have you heard that? I know coyote are in the county too. I personally have not seen any for quite some time (a year). Trees etc Â….. We have searched the small wooded area repeatedly. Almost daily! This is the area where I trapped a raccoon. If he is in here he is hiding very well. It is small enough that we can search the entire area each time. It is not very big at all! There are many places where trees have fallen over though providing hiding spots.

Tomorrow I am putting a flyer in the mailboxes of the homes in the surrounding subdivisions. For some of these people it will be the third one! For the others it will be the second one. I think I have put a flyer in the mailbox of every house within two miles. We have had to put signs up again. They keep getting taken down. It is not the county taking them down as they are not all coming down. I also wondered if someone may have him and be taking the signs down. I donÂ’t think so though. I checked with another lady looking (about 4 miles away) for her cat and some but not all of her signs are being taken down too.

I really do appreciate your concern and interest in helping reunite Buzz with our family. I can not tell you how much the support I have gotten from this board has helped me!

I need to go for now because it is 1:30 am. Baby just got up and the rest will be up at 5:30am! I have some more questions to ask in regards to getting closure on a sighting. I will write that tomorrow. Thank you!

Kim

Pauline,

Thanks for updating the stories on your website. I really enjoy reading them. Scoonie would really be giving me a heartattack though if I were his mommy! What a rascal!!

Thanks,
Kim

Kim,

Alex was missing for almost 1 month before I finally found him! In the below link, you can read my text to Pauline . . .

It sounds like my situation is different from yours in that Alex--although an indoor only cat--was very interested in wanting to go outside to explore . . .

I received many phone calls with false sightings . . . and only one call with an accurate description 2 days after he was missing. I was so desparate that I even contacted 2 pet psychics to seek advice and to make sure Alex was still alive . . . and to try to target his location. By the way--sounds crazy--but it helped in my search!!!

I guess my point is that you'll get loads of advice, but follow your intuition!!! No one knows Buzz as well as you do!!!

I am very fortunate in that although Alex was outside for some pretty bad weather in the snow & rain (I live outside of Boston), I believe he stayed undercover--since his coat was so clean when he was found. He was fine physically--except he had lost quite a bit of weight--given that he hadn't eaten in almost 3 weeks.

After wondering for 3 weeks, Alex was found by a nice family who basically adopted him and had planned to keep him. I found him 1 week later about 1 mile from my home in the next town over. I spent most nights placing flyers in mailboxes, and I am very blessed to have him home!

Don't give up hope!!!

Good Luck--I'll say prayers!!!

~Francine

Kim,

Believe me I know how you feel!!!

I was also thankful to receive the false sightings because at least I knew others were looking for Alex too. I became VERY depressed!!! My family & friends were very worried about me because I couldn't stop crying & couldn't stop looking for Alex--even if I tried!!! I felt all alone & I felt everyone was going on with thier lives--but I couldn't go on with mine--my loss was ALL CONSUMING!!!

I had a strong feeling from the very beginning that Alex was still alive--I just didn't know if I could ever find him. For the most part my intuition was strong that he was still alive--and I felt that if he had passed over, I'd feel his spirit closeby--but I didn't.

I knew I'd have to handle the reality of "what could have happened to him," but it was the not knowing that was torture!

I decided to contact a pet psychic--based on my vet's recommendation. There is a website of animal communicators which is animaltalk.net. The key was to target those who specialized in lost/missing pets. I think I contacted all of them specializing in lost pets--at least 10 of them--to see who I believed was the best for me to work with.

It was very important to me that if they had some bad information, that they would share it with me.

The first one I worked with is Whitney Taylor who is located in Pennsylvania. She charged a one-time fee of $40 and was willing to work with me once a week . . . until we reached our conclusion.

Initially, she was able to get inside his head and tell me things like he's angry with himself because he can't find his way home, he was eating bugs, that I was out looking for him when he had gone undercover--in other words we kept missing each other, she told me that he would come to me if he heard me calling--and that initially he heard me calling from a distance. She told me about an open field near my home . . . and a gate to my backyard that I didn't even know about--since I am new to the area. She told me a few weeks later that he had found food and someone was feeding him dry food, etc.

I sent Whitney a map of my area and she targeted streets--like the open field she told me about . . . but I just felt like I had looked everywhere and Alex just wasn't there!!!

Although I felt Whitney's information was very helpful, if I could find a 2nd Pet Psychic, I could narrow my search--and maybe target the areas that they both hit. Therefore, I contacted Hilary Renaissance who charged $75 which included 1 follow-up call. Hilary is located in the state of Washington.

Hilary (who also said she would provide bad news if that's what she felt) told me things like Alex is eating dry food--which Whitney said too and this was true! But what Hilary said to me that was wrong was that he's in a white house with a white door and a Tan or Gold colored SUV. Actually, Alex was in a Beige home with a Maroon door and a Teal colored station wagon.

So I didn't take the information so literally, but here's what she told me that helped me locate him. She said he didn't hear me calling for him--but if he did, he would come to me--just as Whitney said too--which I believed to be true! She said he's gone over a hill and that he was 1/4 to 1/2 mile away. So I looked at a map--and the challenge is that I live blocks from 2 other towns--with hills everywhere!

She kept saying "he's on the other side of the hill ..." So on my map I scoped out at the 1/2 or so radius which was on the other side of a farm, a golf course, and a hill known as "Whipple Hill". So I started putting flyers in the mailboxes of these homes "on the other side..." and received the call I'd been waiting for . . . that they really did have Alex--in a home on the other side of the golf course.

So instead of having a follow-up call with Hilary, I found Alex 2 days after she had given me the information--but Whitney's information helped as well!!!

You see even though Alex--the indoor only cat--who should have only wondered not too far from home, he was 1/2 to 1 mile from home--because he likes to wonder and I had a feeling this was the case. Toby on the other hand (my other cat) does fit the profile of a cat afraid and probably wouldn't go too far . . .

Anyway, if you decide to contact Whitney or Hilary, here's their numbers and mention my name and Alex's name too.

Whitney Taylor - PA - 717-328-2733
Hilary Renaissance - WA - 206-782-7815

Good luck!!!

~Francine