PETA notes: While we believe cats are safest and happiest in “the great indoors,” we do provide tips on leash walking and cat fences to help keep cats safe while outdoors. See our posts Caring for Cats and Make Your Cat Adore You: Build a Catio for more information. Since accidents can happen, this story and the device it discusses may help prevent heartache.
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My wife and I were completely heartbroken when Marvy Boy, our 10-year-old Siamese cat, disappeared for eight days. We went door to door notifying our neighbors, put signs up, posted on the website Nextdoor, registered a “lost pet” with The Animal Foundation, and repeatedly searched the neighborhood.
On the eighth day, I was driving home at 7:30 p.m. after picking up a pizza, and as I turned onto a street just two short blocks from my house, I spotted a Siamese cat sitting on top of the wall of a neighbor’s yard, as though he were waiting for me. I rolled the window down and excitedly called to him, “Marv?!” He answered with a loud meow! It was dark, but I was pretty sure it was him. When I went to pick him up, though, he jumped into the backyard. I knocked on the door and asked if the family shared their home with a Siamese cat. They said no and allowed me into their yard, where Marvy Boy let me pick him up. With my cat in my arms, I said thanks and drove home.
My son Rick had told me that very day about a dream he had had in which I called and told him I had found Marvy Boy. So that was the first thing I did! Good thing I had gone out for pizza. Good thing Marvy Boy was there as I turned onto that street. Good thing I spotted him. When Marvy was back in the house, safe and sound, he couldn’t stop “talking.” (He is Siamese, after all.) He jabbered away a mile a minute, all night long, telling us about his adventure, that he missed us, and that he couldn’t find his way home. He had lost weight but was otherwise healthy and still had his collar on. He’s been much more affectionate, especially during the first few days after his return. He kneads on me and cuddles up with me much more often and longer than before.
Shortly after we lost and then found Marvy, I googled “best cat trackers” and immediately bought a Whistle GO GPS Pet Tracker on Amazon.com. It’s a lightweight attachment that can be clipped onto a collar and connected to a phone. I can see a map of his movements every six minutes, and should he ever leave the “safe area” (my property), it will send me a text telling me where he is. Though the full performance report isn’t in yet, I’m looking forward to trying a device that will help me ensure that Marvy Boy will never be lost again.
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Marvin (Nick) Saines is an adjunct professor of environmental science at the College of Southern Nevada, the Southwest Region director of the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists, and a Sierra Club hike leader. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife and two cats.
