My beloved cat Haley managed to sneak outside on Sunday. He’s an indoor cat and sometimes got outside, but he’d always return in the morning. I’ve lost a few cats this way in my life, but I loved Haley the most. I don’t know what could have happened to him - getting hit by a car seems unlikely in this area. Is there anyone I can call? My mother recommends that I make up some posters offering a reward in case anyone stole Haley. Do people really steal cats? Is there some kind of Amber alert for pets? What else should I try? I’m sad. 
I am sorry to hear your news. I hope your cat returns to you. Posters aren’t a bad idea. He may not have been stolen, but instead taken in by a kindly stranger. It seems worth trying.
A wish of luck and the return of your cat.
That sucks.
Print up some flyers. Ask around the neighborhood. Check the pound.
Yes, people do steal pets.
My area has something called Critter Corner where people can post listings about lost and found animals, animals needing homes, etc. The list is available on the internet as well as posted in print at the clinic I work at, and several other businesses carry the listings too. I’ve seen many people find their lost animals posted in Critter Corner. Is there anything like that where you live?
It’s not uncommon for cats, even indoor ones, to get a case of wanderlust. Cats, particularly males, often look to expand their territory–a feral tom can often have a territory encompassing several square miles. Take the advice of the previous posters, but also don’t give up hope. Cats are very resourceful animals, and are generally well-equipped to survive outdoors. It is not at all unheard of for an escapee to return days, weeks or even months later, little the worse for wear. I hope Haley returns home soon!
My MIL’s cat Tripper (see note) quite often goes walkabout for several days, and has been gone a month, but always returns in perfect health. Here’s hoping yours comes back the same.
(Note: No, the name isn’t for travelling. It’s for the way he gets under your feet. MIL doesn’t walk very well anyway, so he’s a great help!)
Check at your local pound. He might have gotten picked up. I hope he is back soon!
I agree with checking the pound, and also any local veterinary hospitals.
::sniff::
I hope he comes home.
I hope your cat comes back. I had a cat named Clyde for 8 years and just around the 4th of July 1997 he just disappeared to never return again. I never knew what happened to him. I never posted flyers because I never thought about it as a 14 yr old. i thought he would just come back. I lost a cat on Sunday and I’m sending my warmest thoughts for your cat to return. I love cats and I hope Haley comes back.
My cat JR, before he died, used to disappear for three days every time we moved. Just at the point where I had decided he was dead, I would come home and he would be sitting by the door. I didn’t know whether to kill him or scoop him up and hug him to death. The first time he came strolling up the driveway with another cat just like nothing was wrong. grrrrr
I will be thinking of you and Haley and sending good thoughts.
Our cat Dirtbag used to sneak out, but he could always be lured back by the sound of his favorite toy (a clear glass marble dropped on a hardwood floor). He could hear it from far, far away, even outside, and would come running back to see who was messin’ with his stuff.
Does Haley have a favorite toy (that makes noise) or a favorite food?
…nothing to add, but the best of luck.
I, for one, still have high hopes that Haley will return. I’ve had cats go missing for up to three weeks and come home none the worse for wear. The furry little bastards just have to put you through the wringer first.
Keep looking and calling. If he’s an indoor cat, he may be frightened and hiding nearby. Best of luck, and please post when he comes home. I will be thinking of you.