There are instances when cats may leave their homes to venture elsewhere, and the reasons behind this behavior can vary. Some cats may leave to seek out something or someone, while others may do so to escape from certain factors.

In my personal experience, I resided in a semi-rural area many years ago. One of my cats was born feral and never fully adapted to domestication. During that time, I allowed my cats to go outside, although I no longer practice this. Among the three cats I had, two would spend a brief period outdoors, mostly within our yard, before returning indoors. However, the former feral cat would disappear for up to a week at a time, only to return looking sleek, well-fed, and exhausted. Following those “vacations,” we made it a routine to deworm her.

When I relocated to a high-rise apartment in the city, I had to discontinue letting the cats go outside. While two of them adjusted well to the change, finding contentment in sitting by a sunny window, my former feral cat became increasingly unhappy. On one weekend while I was away, my friend, who was cat-sitting, stepped onto my balcony. Seizing the opportunity, the cat slipped out behind her, leaping from one balcony to another until she disappeared.

My friend was devastated, and we embarked on a search for the cat, even putting up signs in the community (this was before the advent of social media). Someone suggested posting signs in my old neighborhood, approximately 30 km away. I followed the advice, and four months later, I received a call from a former neighbor informing me that the cat had returned to our previous house. It turned out she had reappeared about 10 days after she initially went missing and resumed her pattern of staying home for several weeks before embarking on week-long adventures. My former neighbor happened to spot her one day, recognized her, and explained the situation to the current residents of my old house. The woman contacted me, expressing attachment to the cat but acknowledging my prior ownership.

After thoughtful consideration, we agreed to leave the cat where she was. She had shown affection towards me, but it seemed she had also formed a bond with her new human companion. Moreover, the apartment lifestyle did not suit her well, and it was evident that she had found a comfortable and compatible environment in her current home.