Conference misery::feline_v1

    Since she seemed to know where her new home was for six days by
    coming and going okay, I doubt she's heading back to her old home.
    Maybe she's just doing a little more exploring of her new area.
    Are there a lot of woods there? 
    
    Also, and I hate to bring this up but, are you on a busy roadway
    and if so, have you checked alongside it?  If there are woods and
    trapping is allowed in your area, you might want to take a "careful"
    walk calling her name.  If she's caught in a trap, she'll need your
    immediate help.  Was she wearing a collar or any type?
    
    Hopefully she's okay and is just exploring the territory.  Some
    are more curious than others.  How are your other cats doing?
    
    You might want to contact your local humane society too just in
    case she's turned in by someone who may find her in the area.    

    Keep us posted. 
    Pat
        

    Pat brought up a lot of good points.  Here are a few more:
    
    When Chauncey was missing back in February (gone 2 weeks), I did
    everything I could think of to find him...posted fliers, went door-to
    door, contacted humane societies, local vets, even the sanitation
    dept. as morbid as that may sound.  He finally reappeared on his
    own, and to this day, I am convinced that someone took him and brought
    him back (guilty conscience maybe?).
    
    It sounds like you are doing everything possible to find Taffy.
    I don't think she's trying to go back to the old house; from what
    you say, she knows where her new home is already.  It is very likely
    that she could have become entrapped somewhere or is simply exploring.
    Keep walking through the woods and general area, call her name,
    look UP as well as down, and most of all, don't give up hope.  She
    WILL return.  Hopefully, as Pat suggested, she's just exploring and
    enjoying her new surroundings.
    
    Is she spayed?  Spayed and neutered cats are not as likely to wander
    which is why I was so upset when Chauncey disappeared - he never
    went farther than the building across the way when we lived at the
    apartments.
    
    You did the right thing by keeping the cats inside for a week, as
    we did the same thing after we moved in April.  And you know what?
    Once the week was up and Chauncey started going outdoors again,
    he disappeared overnight and all of the next day.  I was frantic
    again and came home from work to a note on my door from our new
    neighbors.  Chauncey was entrapped in the vacant townhouse next
    door to them!  Apparently, he had wandered in unnoticed at the open
    house the morning before and wasn't discovered until my neighbor
    heard incessant meowing and decided to follow the sounds.  Fortunately,
    he has kept out of trouble since that episode.
    
    Keep looking...she'll return.  If you need to talk, feel free to
    contact me off-line.
    
    /Roberta
    

    Could you give us a description of Taffy in case one of us finds
    her or information about her??
    
    Also, where did you live before the move??
    
    Sandi (Lightning's, DejaVu's & Thunder's mom)
    
    

    I second the suggestions to check the woods for traps or anything
    else she might have gotten caught in, and also
    ask all your neighbors to check any place she might have gotten
    shut in, like a garage, shed, basement, etc.  I'm not sure that
    trapped cats answer when they are called, so you may have to really
    look thoroughly.
    

    Taffy's coloring is ginger and white, she was wearing a green collar
    with bells. (she is a bird, chipmunk and anything eles killer).
    We do live off of route 119, but it's a little ways down for us
    not to worry. (this is why we moved there, it's a gravel road).
    We use to live in New Ipswich on Ashby road, too much traffic and
    to many speeders.  Taffy is a spaded 4 yr old, slightly under weight
    due to the fact she likes to hunt.  I have checked along route 119
    for her but have not found anything and as far as I know there is
    no hunting or trapping around there also no emty buildings.
    
    I really don't think anyone would take her because there are not
    alot of people who would put up with her. (not your typical people
    lover).  But we love her even if she is a grouch, and hope that
    she either comes home on her own or is found by someone.
    
    I have three other cats and the two that go outside stay in the
    general area of the house, "Autumn" is content with the crickets
    and grasshoppers and "Grey" is a porch potato.  My other cat 
    "Cinnabar" is a house cat only.  I decided that when I got her at
    12 weeks old that I would not put myself through the worry that
    I'm going through now, and she is content to stay in.
    
    thanks for the helpful suggestions and support I'll keep you posted
    
    
    Cindy

    I'm sad to say that it is now 16 days later and Taffy is still not
    home.  We keep going back to the old house but no luck (vet told
    me to keep going back there).  I'm afraid the longer she's gone
    the less chance we will see her again.  I contacted Nancy Alexander
    and she is going to paint Taffy's portrait for me.  I was reading
    and old note and now I'm worried.  The noter was saying they had
    problems with foxes.  I haven't seen any, but I haven't even been
    living there for a month yet.  I hope she is just hunting around.
    
    No response from the ad in the paper or the posters we put up.
    I was thinking of getting another kitten if she doesn't come back
    but I'm not sure if I should. (so much heartache).  Well I'll continue
    to keep you posted and please continue your prayers.
    
    Thank you
    Cindy

    I am sorry to read that you kitty is not back yet.
    
    Please do get another kitten right away. It will help you fill
    that hole you are experiencing now, and if Taffy does come back
    to the house the smell of another cat might draw her. Also if
    you have something like an old rug or something that smells like
    home, maybe  you could put it outside by the door for her to smell
    in case she may come back and visit while you're not there.
    
    I would try anything to make the old house smell available outside
    or in just in case.
    
    Have you talked with any neighborhood kids? They are always a
    good source of extra eyes. They get around in places adults
    don't, and are outside a lot more.
    
    Please keep us posted.
    Barbara

    We showed Taffy's picture to one of the kids on our street (not
    to many of them), she hasn't seen her but she said she'd let us
    know if she did.  Thanks for the rug suggestion I'll try that.
    
    I'm suppose to pick up a kitten Friday night from our friends.
    I just hope the others get along with her.
    
    Thanks for the help.
    Cindy

    I hope you find Taffy.
    
    Thinking of you.
    
    Kate

    I put this in a new note, Taffy is home safe and sound.  Neighbors
    found her yesterday.  It has been almost 5 weeks and I can't believe
    she is finally home.  Thanks for your support and prayers.
    
    Cindy

    Might I urge everyone who supports a cat to buy a close-fitting
    collar and have a nametag made up?!  Your vet will typically have
    the order blanks for tag makers, the ones I get are engraved metal
    and ca. $2.50 each.  
    
    P L E A S E  do this, for your peace of mind and the safety of your
    furball?  It's a very small price to pay.
    
    						=maggie

    Yes, but some people have reservations about collars.
    
    KATE