Make sure you leave outdoor lights on to help.
Be brave, they usually find a way to get out of the storm.

when it's over. Sometimes animals have sense to go to a secure location when bad weather hits. Hope you find him. Also, even though it's going to be very cold, he is wearing his mink coat.

When the plow went through, it plowed him in. I walked the neighborhood calling for him, heard a weak cry, and looked down to see him looking up through the grate. We cleared the packed snow from the entrance and he came out.

I really hope you can find him. But cats are resourceful and fur-clad, so don't stress too much.

Put some of his favorite food out by the door and see if that lures him home.

I hope your kitty comes back soon, try leaving food out.

Best of luck!

He's taken off for a couple days before, but never in this kind of weather. And it's snowing so hard, food would be buried quickly. But thanks, everybody. I'll just keep checking for him.

at the body shop, a mechanic at the diesel shop comes over to ask if were feeding a couple cats....yup. He was worried, cats are so fickle when we change from can to dry they went back to the diesel shop....

They come back when the bread is buttered on both sides....

if they don't like what we're serving, they go to the house down the street

maybe they will let him out tomorrow and he will come home.

The next door neighbors kept a bowl on their porch for him, and one day,

he came back from a strange house with a little necklace around his neck.

That being said, I do hope your little dude is safe and comes home soon.

This cat of mine took off for three days once and I was worried sick.

On the fourth day, he came strolling in like he'd never left.

I hate it when kitties don't come home! Good luck! Stay warm and safe!

Good luck Atman, to you and your kitty.

Also, is there any shelter by your door? If not, try to put something there in case he makes it home so he has somewhere to be protected

He scooted out through a garage door that had blown open while I was clearing the drive. He came back much later in the night FILTHY - had found a storm sewer during the storm. I was frantic because no driver could have seen him on the road in those conditions.

Hope you have the same happy return.

found safe shelter to wait this out.

during a horrid cold snap last winter, a friend's kit was out for two days in wayyyyy below zero weather. we were freaked. third morning, cat came strolling in, warm and okay. we never figured out where she had been hiding.

Cats have a knack of ignoring "Here, Kitty, Kitty", but I swear they can hear the distinct sound of me taking the can opener out of the drawer.

I lost my cat at the beginning of a bad storm a few years back. She went out the morning before it started and then we got almost 2 feet of snow later that night.

She was gone for 4 days and I assumed the worst.

She showed up 4 days later looking like she had been to a kitty spa. Clean, well fed, and calm as a cucumber.

I think some kind soul took her in during the storm and, when it was safe, she came home.

I hope for the best possible outcome for your furry friend!!!

If you have a car out in the drive way, look under it. Cat would have thought to shelter there before you would have thought to look for them there. Under the porch might be a good guess. Under something.
Oh. Just remembered. Blow the horn a few times before starting the car. Big, warm, dry, friendly, motor thing you know.

Sometimes they climb up on the wheels under a fender near a warm engine. It is necessary to make sure they aren't there before driving.

Up on the tire. Through an opening. Into the motor compartment and on to that nice warm place up by the fan belt.
Please, don't ask.

From time to time one of my dogs decides to have an adventure on her own and it's pretty worrisome. But as others have pointed out, cats have skills to cope, so remain optimistic!

cats are very clever. Was this an accident or is he an outdoor cat?

Kitteh has probably found a place out of the weather. He didn't leave his coat at home, did he? lol.

He will be fine, but I understand your worry!

I hope he comes home soon.

Keep us posted.

...prayers too, for his safe and quick return to his human.

All I can say.

Cats are good at finding places to hide. Some years ago my (normally indoor) cat slipped outside and disappeared for almost a week, and this was in January and it was below zero for most of that time, and there was a lot of snow on the ground. I was afraid I'd never see him again, but one morning he turned up at the back door, demanded something to eat, and then slept for hours on top of a radiator. His fur was full of dried leaves, so I think he hid out under a porch until he figured out how to get home.

Chances are very good that he'll turn up again soon, probably after the storm subsides.

He'll need 'em tonight! I just went looking again...it's pretty bad, and the snow is already deep, so he likely wouldn't come running now anyway. Oh well. Warm thoughts for kitteh! Thanks again, everyone!

People think of pets as having "skills," as you say. But no skill can compensate for freezing weather. A small animal will freeze to death at 18 degrees....I know this because one expert was on tv years ago explaining to bring pets in...it was going to get down to 18 (unusual for here), and he was explaining that any small animal left out would freeze to death in 18 degree weather.

Oh, dear. Why did you let him out? Can you leave a crack in your garage door, in case he finds his way back?

Cats are resourceful, though. He'll be fine.

My white kitty is my best friend, even though he's a pompous little bastard.

My white cat is my best friend too....I have the match; mine is a pompous fluffy queen!

Every winter, I make a couple of quick little storm shelters right outside my home. I cover a cardboard box with something thick and water-proof and wind-resistant. Inside, lay down a little rubber-back carpet square, with some other soft fluffy stuff. On these few horribly cold nights, I go even further. Between layers, I place an old glove with one of those Hot Hands packets inside. These can be found in camping equipment sections of many stores. You could put in an 18-hour packet. I find that they are still warm 20 hours later. If the hut has something that smells like you over it, that may help your cat find it.

Using two plastic storage container. Place a smaller one inside a big one, and fill the gap with insulation (like foam panels or spray insulation. Line the inside box with hay or thick carpet. Cut a hole through both boxes and close up the top tightly, then put the box out someplace safe, and kitty has a nice little hotel room for those nights out.

It was a makeshift plastic container, turned upside down (igloo like). I duct taped insulation to the outside (the ugly pink kind), then I taped the silver sheet kind to the outside of that. Then I hung something pastic-like over the front, to keep out the wind...but it was see through, and partially open, so he could find the entrance.

I put it underneath a bush, to help protect from wind, and I faced the door away from where I thought the wind would come. I also thought the bush would help protect against some other animal finding him.

Glad you're here!

I hope the kitty turns up! These are good ideas! Those packets are GREAT!

It's a long shot, I know. Generally when animals have a second home neither of their people knows about the other.

Other than that, the suggestions of a food that he can smell, or maybe the lights left on or even catnip might help.

Sorry about this, I know how much it hurts to have a little one missing.

I know you must be worried sick! I hope the cat is OK.

Since it is a cat we are talking about here, there is the very real possibility that it is sitting somewhere right now laughing at you while you panic. Cats are evil that way.

Also, check in the house. He might have snuck back inside and be playing all innocent sleeping on your pillow.

I have a mostly white calico that lives to sneak out the door.

keep us posted.

I have also taken in several feral cats. So, hopefully your kitty has a second home. If he was closer to that home when the storm hit, it's probably where he cried to get in. As you mentioned this was a feral cat, so he knows what he is doing. Still doesn't make it any easier when you are worried about a pet.

That was from a finder of lost animals on an NPR show a few years ago. Unfortunately, they will not necessarily come when called because they are afraid.

--expecting me to climb fences through yards to come get her.

Cats are pretty smart though. Hopefully he'll find shelter. It could be his weather sense freaked him out. Does he have any disabilities.

Hope you find him

Are there any fir trees in your neighborhood? That's where some of the wild rabbits huddle in our neighborhood.

and for you, Atman.

Please keep us posted.

I have one that goes outdoors frequently and I start to worry when I haven't seen him in a few hours. Just today he went out and stayed out quite awhile so I had to go look for him but fortunately found him. Usually he comes when I snap the lid of a cat food can but not today as he'd recently eaten. Anyway, you might put a covered box outside on your porch or somewhere with a hole in it in case he comes home and you are asleep. Put a rug or blanket inside it for warmth. Putting his litter box outside too can be helpful. Your cat is probably nearby but in a safe spot right now. (((HUGS)))

hope your story ends well - I bet the cat finds shelter or safe keep.

Mine get all excited when I shake their bag of kibbles or those Temptation treats. It works to get them to surface every time when they're hiding in the house and before when they used to ignore my calls outside.

I hope you find your kitty soon!

be. My warmest vibes being sent to your kitty. Being resourceful creatures he's probably hold up in temporary home of kind strangers

...that I hope your cat's OK.

Do you remember Mama Gray?

She was out for two days in "the second worst blizzard in East Coast history". It was illegal to drive, here, for almost 2 days. When it ended I saw her tracks headed across the back yard, on top of about 3 feet of snow, to the cat door in our sliding glass door. I turned around and she was already inside, laying on the heater, "soaking up some rays".

So, don't give up hope. He works on instinct, and may be holed up somewhere (relatively) warm, waiting for the snow to break.

BTW, it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that you actually care what happens to your cat.

We built him a shelter while we were shoveling, though.

Put a flyer out and perhaps you'll get a call. I'm so sorry for you, I know how this feels.

Hopefully he found a place to ride out the storm and will be home soon. I've got a rescue kitty who likes to run and hide before big storms too. I think it's a kickback to when they had to fend for themselves and hunker down.

Hope he is safe and turns up soon.

he'll be home soon.

Even if he got lost, he'll find his way home.

I used to worry about my doggies and my ex-wife's kitties when we wouldn't see them for a while, especially when things outside were abnormal. They'd always show up looking like "why were you worried? I'm hungry".

that he comes home inspite of the harsh weather. Keeping fingers crossed.

Cats are natural-born predators. And survivors. He shall come in when he deigns to!

many good vibes for you and kitty !!

It will be warmer today, but raining. At lest the driveway is cleared...maybe he'll find his way back.

I have a feeling he'll show up very soon.

I wasn't expected such a response...but I should have. DUers are good, compassionate peeps.

He could be kicking back on a warm feather pillow somewhere while some little girl feeds him tuna flakes and grapes and scratches just the right places.

Anyway, I hope he comes home soon.

Immediately ran upstairs and hid; I guess he was a bit traumatized from his adventure. But otherwise he looks none the worse for wear.

Thanks, everybody, for your concern and words of encouragement!

Great to hear your kitty is safe and sound.

Aw puddy gets tuna tonight!!

I looked for this thread hoping to see an update. Glad he's back!

What a relief!

But I love the happy ending today!

Yay and

I know you are ecstatic.

for letting us know. I bet he'll be all snugly tonight

- I'd been watching this thread and am glad to see the good news!

Glad for the happy ending.

Now he needs a can of tuna and a soft, warm bed. Welcome home, Cato.

He probably will be traumatized for awhile. Mine disappeared for fifteen hours three weeks ago. He came home unharmed but hasn't gone out the door since then. I think he got cornered by a predator, waited it out, but doesn't want to confront it anymore.

It's amazing how relieved it makes you. I've gone through it before and I'm so glad yours turned out happy.

Welcome home, kitty!

I thought he would be alright. I have a wild cat also. He has great survival skills and has friends up and down the street. But it sounds like yours had to hide out some where.

Especially kitty good news. Time to get Cato a nice, neon-colored collar in case he pulls this again.

I didn't post to this thread originally, yet am glad he made it through okay

I'm not a vet, but you might consider a check by one anyway, or at least talk to your vet for advice

So glad to hear that!

Yay Cato!

Now please, keep him inside. Outdoor cats live 3-5 years; indoor cats live to be 18 years.

http://www.petco.com/Content/ArticleList/Article/13/2/181/Reasons-to-Keep-Your-Cat-Indoors.aspx

There are a lot of good facts in that article about the myths about outdoors being a cat's "natural" environment.

You can rest easy now

My flame pointed kitty named Isaz went missing for 4 days a month ago. I shelled out 90.00 to send out Amber Pet Alert for him. Then I found him by a pure chance. He was trapped on upper deck in the back of empty townhouse which is about 20 ft. high on slope. He apparently was chased and he climbed on one of wood posts supporting the deck and then couldn't get down. Village police helped to get him down. I was sooooo happy, soooo relieved to have him back. So he was! Happy to be back home with his Mommie!

I am excited for you that your baby came home!!!