I am having a horrible day ... →[More:]
My friend and neighbour, Helen, moved about half a mile away recently. We always feed each other's cats if needed. This week Helen needed to cover as an additional supervisor on a school camping trip, and she asked me to feed her cats.
She's only been in her new place for a few days. She's on the first floor (second floor to Americans), and hasn't yet had the chance to put in a cat flap in the front door. So the cats would be staying indoors, with a litter box. Helen told me she'd left the windows slightly open at the top, for ventilation. They're
this style, with a small opener at the top. She'd left them open just a couple of inches and told me that the cats wouldn't be able to open them any further.
I went round on Wednesday and all was well. The friendly cat was pleased to see me. The skittish cat hid, which is normal.
Today I went in and ... no cats. Anywhere. I looked everywhere they might be, and it's unlike the friendly cat to not want lots of attention. The litter box had only been used once, and the food had hardly been touched.
Then I noticed one of the windows was open more than before. So they've somehow climbed up there, pushed the window open and escaped, into a new neighbourhood, backing onto a forest.
I searched for them for over an hour, but with no luck. I'm going back later, and if I don't find them, I'll have to go back again tomorrow. Helen gets home at 10.30 tomorrow night. When I go back this afternoon I'll knock on neighbours' doors to see if they've seen them.
I don't know what to do. I know it's not my fault they got out - it was Helen who left the window open and assured me it would be fine. But those cats must be so scared and I feel sick to my stomach.