Because your kitten or cat is an indoor only pet, the chances are very good that they are near by, hiding but in a protective mode. Especially if there are loose dogs in your area. The chances are that your cat is not willing to respond to your voice, not willing to come out of hiding and not willing to leave their new "territory" out of fear.

The majority of indoor cats are found within a 3 house radius of the owner's home, hiding and living under a porch, in a garage or in heavy brush. This is often up to 7 weeks after they went missing in circumstances where the owners were calling for them and searching for them in the location that they were hiding, but the cat never responded. The reason the cats do not respond is again, an instinctual behaviour of protecting themselves. What could have triggered this response in your cat was probably just one encounter with a dog.

Your best way of getting your cat back is to obtain a cat trap with their favourite canned cat food and attempt to trap the cat. This has worked in over 70% of indoor only cat owners who have retrieved their escaped pets. Most of the others eventually returned home. While it is very common for an outdoor cat to become trapped and unable to return home, it is not that common for an indoor only cat. Because they are in a "scaredy cat" mode while they are outside, they do not have the curiosity to climb into trouble - they have that instinct to protect and hide. And because they are hiding and protecting themselves, they are less likely to be killed by a car, poisoned, or killed by a predator. It can happen, but is less likely to happen than with an outdoor cat.

Because cat's are territorial, they do not tend to travel too far. The only thing that might cause them to travel is if a dog or something were to frighten them and there was no place that offered them protection and if there was no source of food or water. Also, because cat's are territorial; wherever they end up that offers protection and food is where their new "territory will be established." Leaving your clothing outside doesn't do much good, your scent is deposited wherever you walk and the chances are that they can already smell and hear you, but their instincts are preventing them from responding.

Your lost cat is somewhere and the statistics show that they are most likely alive but afraid... so have hope!