Loose Screen, now my kitty is gone

Please check your screens in your windows prior to opening up the windows.

Don’t put yourself in the position I am in now.

I have been a nervous wreck for the past 8 days. Last Tuesday I opened my windows to let in fresh air. The cats love this. I have moved into a new place and thought I tested the screens, and they seemed secure to me.

But I happened to look at the window at 11pm and saw Ari my cat in the window without a screen in it. I got up and shut the window.

Ari would not let me sleep he was crying, running from window to window. I had to get up as he was in such distress. I looked out a window and saw Ira my other cat outside. (I found him outside as a feral cat in my previous home. So he is a nervous cat, one who will not let me pick him up. But he is very loving and playful.)

I went outside to coax him in, but with his feral beginning, he ran. I live in a wooded area, and it is very dark. So I had to go to bed without finding him. You can imagine how horrible I felt. I think I have cried more tears then it has rained.

That night I locked the other cats up in a room and left the window open, so he could find his way back.

He has not been back. I had to shut the windows with all the rain, and how cold it has been. I have not been able to find him, I think I know where he is, but I just can’t see him.

My search has been difficult with all the rainstorms. I feel like I am always cold and wet. I have out live traps to hopefully catch him once he becomes hungry enough.

SO PLEASE, really check your screens to be sure they are very secure. I know he did not push out the screen, he just leaned on it & it fell out. He does not like it outside.