Our cat has been missing since the night the house sitter was evicted. We are only just finding out today that our indoor only cat hasn’t been seen nor active around our house since Saturday night.
While being evicted from the premises by someone who failed to supervise the disgruntled sitter as he packed up his belongings, something happened to our cat. We don’t know if the disgruntled house sitter threw the cat outside, off the balcony, or put him into his bag of belongings. Our cat is gone.
Timeline of events:
- House sitter located dead car key, broke into, started, joyride, then crashed SO’s car.
- House sitter calls relatives with false story of me, someone who isn’t on the car registration nor insurance, somehow giving him permission to the vehicle.
- House sitter calls me confessing crash, laughs when asked him where he found the car key.
- House sitter leaves house with another relative to attend family function, leaving car key behind
- Close friend rushed to our house to do a wellness check on our pets, the car, house, while collecting all car and house keys; calls and sends video of all our pets
- House sitter informed via text of termination
- House sitter escorted back to house to gather belongings, apparently with limited supervision
- Relative escorting house sitting calls requesting access to the car to retrieve drivers license; request denied.
- New pet sitter arrives at house Sunday morning, doesn’t see the cat
- Next pet sitter arrives at house Sunday evening, also doesn’t see the cat
- Over the next two days, none of the pet sitters find our cat nor see activity in his litter box or his food.
Cat was last seen by our close friend on Saturday night. Cat is indoor only.
In-laws, neighbors, friends, exes, hired pet sitters, and the owner of the pet sitting company have all entered our home in the last 24 hours searching for our cat. The owner of the pet sitting company, with my permission, turned the house upside down searching for our cat or any signs of him.
We believe the disgruntled house sitter did one of the following: took the cat and hid him in his bag, threw the cat outside either onto or off the deck, or killed the cat and disposed of his body.
Relative that was with him when he was evicted initially declined to answer questions, with police now involved, as been answering questions. Animal tracking service has been hired.
The sweetest and snuggliest boy that I finally convinced that head kisses and being held so he could melt into my arms are amazing things, is gone. My mini weighted and heated, purring blanket and alarm clock is gone. This silly little guy who had a not-so-secret crush on my dog and hilariously humped her diaper when she was in heat, is gone.
The most infuriating part is, I can’t be there to help search for him and the person responsible still hasn’t shown accountability.
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Edit: Update - July 23rd
He was found!
Spotted after 1am attempting to climb our fence and onto our deck.
My MIL drove two hours to our house to work with the professional animal tracker and an amazing friend who helped search and setup her nature camera by the food trap they made. They spent 3 hours searching around our house together.
MIL sent a long text of how she stayed up late reorganizing our kitchen when she spotted him. Will share in comments if possible.
My SO had just left for work when her text came through. It’s almost 8am here. Internet and cell phone service is bare, so I sprinted in my pajamas to his lab to tell him. We spent the entire night devastated and sobbing. Seeing his face light up was the best thing ever on top of kitty being found!
SO’s mom got kitty’s wound cleaned up and fed. Performed many snuggles and is taking him home with her, which is something we wish we did in first place.
Deciding when to get add the other updates. I’m elated kitty has been found but I’m currently battling with stress, anxiety, and shock. Trying to type an update on the remaining and newly uncovered things triggers an anxiety attack.
But will address that the professional dog walkers have been amazing. They were the ones who figured out our cat was never in the house when their caretaking service started. They searched my house, interviewed neighbors, verified details with their walkers, and have responded to every text, email, and called right away once I had steady WiFi.
Thank you all for the mental and emotional support. You’ve helped me talk through the last few days and provide guidance on something I never thought I’d experience.