alsudduth Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 The past few years have been pretty tumultuous with my daughter. Her mental health declined severely and while she is not 100%, we worked extemely hard to get her help and to a better place. This included allowing her to get a cat. While not officially, this cat has been her emotional support. When we had her spayed (very recently), there was a miscommunication and the vet didn't get the memo that we also wanted her chipped. Lo and behold, the night before last the cat slipped out the door when my husband let our dog out. She hasn't made it back. I know cats like to wander, but we live in a town bordering mountains and forest, and I am afraid she got snatched up by a bobcat, javelina, coyote or some big bird (all of which we have spotted in our neighborhood). My daughter's mood is quickly spiraling. We will be doing all the things we should do when a pet goes missing, but I am posting more for advice on how to support my daughter here, especially in the event of the worst case scenario? I know this may seem trivial to most, but we are all traumatized by some of the happenings over the last few years and I am still terrified any time something threatens her emotional stability. How do I support her without being overly protective, or letting my own worry about her make things worse? Link to post Share on other sites
glows Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 (edited) I would think most individuals would be able to rationalize that this is a tragedy and while difficult to comprehend, it is also a situation out of anyone’s hands as the pet is gone. I would comfort her also. Has there been a search? What are her doctors recommending to you? I think this is far beyond the scope of a forum of laypeople and strangers as your daughter’s health seems far more complicated and unusual. I am so sorry for the loss of your cat. It’s hard to lose a pet and not knowing what has happened is distressing. Edited July 10, 2022 by glows Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 Even if the cat was chipped, that would not stop a predatory animal or bird from making a meal out of the cat. I live in the desert and yes a domestic cat doesn't stand much of a chance in that environment (especially around a bobcat). I have an idea... What about going to an animal shelter and telling your daughter that she gets to save a new cat from euthanasia?? Perhaps telling her something good can come out of the tragedy of her lost cat. I stumbled across this video (a few weeks back). It is the reaction of shelter dogs learning that they have a new home. I know you already have a dog, but maybe your daughter could see how happy the dogs are and you could tell her that she is going to make a new cat, very, very happy (similar to the dogs in this video). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWGzaqigAo8 1 Link to post Share on other sites
ShyViolet Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 Cats usually don't go far when they get out..... the cat is probably in the immediate area. Besides just posting online, the most effective way is to put up lots of flyers in the immediate area and talk to neighbors. Is your daughter under the care of a psychiatrist? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
BrinnM Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 I agree that they don’t go far, especially if they’re “established” cats. But it sounds like the cat is pretty new to the neighborhood (just got neutered/you got it recently), which means it might not be that comfortable with the area, and the risk that it gets lost is higher. The risk is also higher if it’s usually an indoor cat, and just slipped out by accident, which isn’t clear from your OP. I hope you find her! Good luck! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author alsudduth Posted July 10, 2022 Author Share Posted July 10, 2022 Thanks guys, I think I just let my worry get the best of me and got nervous when she was withdrawn yesterday. While she is worried about the cat, I took some lunch to her at work today and she seems pretty positive. She knows we are all doing what we can to locate the cat. I like the idea should things not end up good with the cat, of taking her to give a new kitty a chance when she's ready. In fact it was all I could do to not take home all the kitties at the humane society when i checked there this morning lol. To answer the other questions, she is over 18 now, she is in the care of doctors and counselors and since January has been doing great. She just started working again a couple months ago. I am very proud of her. Sometimes though, as I found today, I can tend to be on high alert knowing her triggers and gauging her mood. She is worried but otherwise ok. Link to post Share on other sites
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