My cat is missing

Question
Good day Norman,

I am the proud owner of a Norwegian Forest cat named Alley. Eight days ago upon returning from work about 2 a.m. she greeted me while I was in the kitchen trying to get a early morning snack. I am accustom to her waking me up at 5 a.m. every morning which she does religiously to get her breakfast. This particular morning however, there was no Alley. I have not seen her since, it has been 6 very long long days that I have seen my cat. She just disappeared. I am truly sadden and heart broken. I am wondering if some one stole her or if this is part of her behavioral pattern.

I am from Jamaica and I live in fairly populated area. I have raised my cat from she was a very little kitten. She I well cared for as she has her own space and toys. I  would say she is an indoors/outdoors cat when she feels like it. She is a very good hunter. Whenever she catches  a mice outside she would always bring it back to show me but would never eat it. She also would hunt birds, some times mimicking the sound or behavior of the bird. When she caches these birds she would certainly eat them leaving feathers all over my lawn.

Her diet mostly consists of Whiskas, Friskies which is available locally or Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys when I travel to the US of A I would bring back that particular brand.

Norman I really don't which to take up much of your time  but the disappearance of my cat has left a void in my heart. My wife is deeply traumatized by her disappearance.

Do you think she would ever come back? Why has she left? Where is she gone?
My cat is Neutered, could this be a problem. Do all cat behave like this? It really is painful I have never lost a cat in this manner, so I find It quite strange. She is a part of our family and I miss her dearly.

I look forward to your response

Love and Thanks
Rayon, Jamaica


Answer
Hi
My name is Kate not Norman, i think you may have got me mixed up with another expert on this site.
Any way i will try and answer your question.
Firstly being neutered is not the problem in fact it prevents cats from wandering off looking for a mate, so i don't think that can be the issue here.
Cats will sometimes go off exploring their territory from time to time and sometimes they can be away for quite some time. However, you will have to consider that yes, she may have been stolen, a sad fact of life these days especially as your cat will look like a very expensive cat, unfortunately there are lots of unscrupulous people around.
Other sad situations could be that she has died, some cats will take themselves off when they are near to death, my own cat did that. She may have even met with an accident.

However before you give up on her, contact your local animal shelters in case she has been picked up my them, ask them if there are other places you can ask, some times the police are notified of a cat accident, (depends on where you live). Also put some posters up in your local area with her picture on it, It may be that some one has seen her.

I know it can be very difficult to cope with when you lose a cat, they are very much a part of our families and the pain that you feel is very real. Perhaps it may help to read my pages about coping with the loss of a pet here /pet-loss.html

However i will keep my fingers crossed that she has just gone off for a wander and that she will return.

Best wishes
Kate