How We Found Our Missing Cat in the West Texas Heat

When my wife, Donna, walked into our bedroom with tears in her eyes, I immediately wondered whether I had said or done something wrong.

Then she told me: “Gunnar is missing.”

Our indoor cat had apparently slipped outside during a busy afternoon. What helped bring him home was a familiar sound, a bag of treats, and a calm search close to the house.

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An Abilene Evening Took a Frightening Turn

I had come home from a live broadcast and jumped into yardwork, followed by installing lights for our ongoing kitchen remodel. Donna had been juggling laundry, litter boxes, and trips into the backyard.

Somewhere in that shuffle, Gunnar, one of our three rescued cats, apparently followed her outside unnoticed.

By about 9 p.m., she was terrified. She had searched the house and was blaming herself, worried about how long he had been outside in that West Texas heat.

Seeing her cry broke my heart.

Familiar Sounds Helped Bring Gunnar Home

I grabbed one of Donna’s unwashed T-shirts and one of mine, draped them over my shoulders, and picked up the treats.

After checking inside again, I searched the front yard and sides of the house. I made the same little kissing sound I have used with our animals for years, then rattled what I call the goodies bag.

Nothing.

Out back, I tried again. Before I could put the shirts on the patio, here came Gunnar, meowing like he was asking to come inside.

I cannot credit the shirts with finding him. He appeared after the familiar sound and treat-bag rattle.

Once inside, he headed straight for his fresh water. Donna’s tears turned into tears of joy.

What Texas Pet Owners Should Do First

The next morning, I spotted a missing-cat post and advice from someone I know through animal rescue. It reminded me how many families face this same scare.

These steps can help:

Search immediately, starting close. Check closets, spare rooms, garages, bushes, and beneath decks. A frightened indoor cat may hide nearby without answering.
Use a calm, familiar voice. Bring treats and a flashlight. Search again when the neighborhood is quiet, but do not wait until nighttime to begin.
Ask neighbors to check enclosed spaces. A garage or shed may have been closed with your cat inside.

Companion Animal Care & Control recommends these search techniques.

Post a clear photo, the last-seen location, and your contact number. Notify shelters and update your microchip registration. Skip putting the litter box outside: it can attract other animals and complicate the search. Petco Love Lost explains these recovery steps.

West Texas Heat and Coyotes Add Urgency

I have heard coyotes around our neighborhood for roughly three months. That makes an escaped pet especially concerning.

Texas Parks and Wildlife recommends keeping pet food indoors and accompanying pets outside, especially at night. Avoid leaving an unattended buffet for wildlife.

If a returning cat is panting, drooling, vomiting, weak, or collapsing, move them somewhere cool and contact a veterinarian immediately. Those can be heatstroke warning signs, according to Cornell’s feline heat-safety guidance.

Where to Check for Missing Pets in Abilene

Contact these organizations and keep checking:

• Rescue the Animals, SPCA: 4620 N 1st Street, (325) 698-7722
• All Kind Animal Initiative at the PARC:  610 E South 11th Street, 325-698-0085.
• Taylor Jones Humane Society: 2301 North 3rd Street, 325-672-7124.

Visit when possible and ask staff to help check animals that may not appear in public listings.

Gunnar came home that night. Not every frightened cat comes running for treats, so silence does not mean you should give up.

Gunnar got two treats, Mama got her hug, and we got our baby back. That was a pretty good ending to a frightening West Texas evening.

Read More: Beware: Texas Dog Owners Are Warned About Pet Food Recall