My cats gone missing

Question

Tommy   Hi Jessica,

I do hope that you can help.

Our 3 year old british short hair cat called Tommy has gone missing 7 days ago now,  We left him in the garden when we went out shopping and when we got home he was gone.  We got him when he was 6 months old from a rescue centre and had him neutered.  He is a house and out door cat so normally stays out during the day and is there waiting for us loyally when we return home.  We put up posters and have put leaflets through most houses within 1/3 mile from home.  We had heard nothing until yesterday and there have been a few calls to say that there is a new resident (black cat matching Tommy's description about half a mile away on a neighbouring estate over quite a busy road).  We went there last night after a lady said there was a cat in her garden and when we arrived we think approx 80% that it is Tommy.  The problem is that he would not come near us at all and just ran off over a wall, he looks like he is in survival mode, however did not look injured.  We observed him walking around for a while and then we lost him again.  This was about 8.30pm last night.  Today we have been back there and thought we might have seen him however there are other black cats on the estate.  I have been to the cat rescue centre and they have loaned me a trap.  I'm not sure what to do next and whether we should set the trap up in that area or back at home?  His favourite food is prawns and we have bought some new ones to try.  I know cats are much more active and show up at night, however I am getting worried the neighbours in the area think I am a prowler and it is becoming embarrassing looking for him without any success.  do you think he will come back home on his own or do you think he is lost and needs our help to return.  Many thanks and we are desperate to have hime back home.  Paul Smith UK

Answer
Hi Paul,

At 7 days, chances are quite slim he'll return home on his own. If there has been a probable sighting, it's best to place a trap in that area. If you catch the wrong cat, release it and try again. The same cat is not likely to go into the trap again right away. If you happen to find the cat on the other property is not Tommy, try setting the trap up at home. Many times, a cat will stay around his home base but will stay hidden except at night if he has become spooked for some reason. This can cause them to have seemed to have disappeared.

Good luck!
Jessica