Lost Truck Cat in Lawrence, KS

Posted by ashen_queen13@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 49 comments

I know this is a long shot, but I was taking my 10hr at the Lawrence Service Plaza and sometime between 9pm last night (May 29th) and when i woke up a little before 4am this morning, my cat got the windows down in my truck and got out. I've never had issues with him doing something like this before, and I just spent the last 3 hours walking around the area calling for him. I have his carrier and catnip treats/his food out next to my truck in case he returns before my dispatch makes me roll (I'm trying to stay at least the whole day, but im a company driver so I can't exactly tell them to shove it), but I know if I can't find him, I might be forced to roll without him. I'm waiting for animal control to open in an hour to maybe get some help from them, but I just want to ask that if any of yall are passing through this service area, please keep an eye out for my little baby. His name is Lupon, and he's a 3 year old grey cat with greenish eyes and a notched ear. I'll add a picture of him too to help identify him. I'm begging yall, please keep an eye out for him if you're in the area, he's really sweet but he's skittish around strangers and I'm so worried for him right now.

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TigRaine86@reddit

Praying you find your baby. This would wreck me so I get it. Sounds like you're doing all you can right now so I will just keep praying ❤️

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Tasty_Fig_3715@reddit

I hope you've had some luck since posting this. My heart breaks for you. He's a handsome fluffy boy.

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

Unfortunately I haven't had much luck, and there's only one shelter left to call (it opens in an hour). I miss him so much already, it feels like my heart just got ripped out of my chest. He's the only thing that really keeps me sane out on these roads, and I feel so horrible that I haven't found him yet. He's super attached to me, and cries if I'm gone for even a few minutes, he's probably so scared and lonely and I feel like a horrible cat owner for this happening

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Tasty_Fig_3715@reddit

I know I'd feel exactly the same, but don't be too hard on yourself. Just keep doing what you're doing, even if it starts to feel repetitive or pointless. As others have said, it isn't likely he's gone too far, and leaving some things out for him to find his way back to will help. I'd absolutely not roll, company driver or not, but I hope your company is understanding and will find ways to make you sitting there a bit longer to work out.

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Brilliant_Sound2596@reddit

If a truck cat escapes, you should let them go free.

They escape for a reason.

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amazingmaple@reddit

You're an asshole. Plain and simple.

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Existing-While5708@reddit

That's cold blooded, my guy

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Brilliant_Sound2596@reddit

It’s not. It’s cruel to keep a cat in a truck, in a confined space, surrounded by infrasound/low vibrations.

Also, your truck smells like cat piss and everything gets covered in hair.

I am against pets on trucks, in general. They become your little hostage.

Being on a truck as a human is already tough. Why do you need a victim?

Let this cat go free.

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Itchy-Apartment-Flea@reddit

Please shut up. Plenty of animals get to leave the cab area when they go home and they enjoy being with their owners.

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Existing-While5708@reddit

And you think a post from a distraught person looking for their lost pet is the place to share this opinion?

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Brilliant_Sound2596@reddit

It’s exactly the best place.

I knew a trucker who tried to keep a cat on his truck, and the cat kept escaping. That cat escaped three times, and people kept returning the cat. The cat obviously did not want to be on the truck. Then the cat escaped a fourth time, and was able to get away. I was happy for that cat.

In fact, every trucker I’ve known who has tried to keep a cat on their truck, the cat escapes.

Find a different way to deal with loneliness on the road.

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MachStyle@reddit

There's a time and a place. This is not the time or the place. People are often attached to their pets the same was as they are to their child, and when you lose one, it's immensely stressful. You are not helping. So kindly fuck off

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

Well, again, fuck you. But secondly, my cat genuinely prefers the truck to my own house, amd is completely at ease on it. He's never tried to escape, and I keep my truck clean and deodorized as possible. He's got toys and treats to keep him entertained, and I snuggle and play with him when I'm not driving. We cuddle to sleep and he's as happy as can be. Maybe your buddy was just a shitty cat owner.

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Critical_Opening_526@reddit

This sounds like you're advocating for suicide, my dude.

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

He probably fell out the window, he likes to climb and get into stuff he isn't supposed to. "They escape for a reason" fuck you, i hope your pillow is damp tonight, asshole

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T3hIce@reddit

I would walk all the trees and bushes to see if he is hiding in them. Also check under the cab and engine compartment really good. Seen one just chilling on top of the transmission when it got out but couldn't get back in

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

Hood just got lifted a bit ago, truck battery died (horrible timing, but my bad luck never has any chill) while i was out looking bc i shut the truck off hoping hed go to the carrier and worried if it turned on, it'd scare him. Not,,, entirely sure why he lifted the hood for a dead battery but my cat wasn't under there

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DFW_DKing_Nerd@reddit

I want that cat so bad

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

Sorry but he's mine >:P /lh

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Cucoloris@reddit

Contact the local cat rescue. They will continue to search for him if you get called away. this happened to a guy who stopped at our local truck stop. The cat rescue people found the cat three days later. they kept kitty safe until they could reunite kitty with his owner.

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

Thank you so much! Still no sign of him but I'll call them right away

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Cucoloris@reddit

Best of luck to you. I hope you find him soon.

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MordoNRiggs@reddit

This made me sad, man. I really hope you find your furry friend. I'd call any area shelters and vets, but I'm sure you know that.

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HalcyonCA@reddit

Updateme! 2 days

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Auquaholic@reddit

Ask advice in r/truckercats - they may have different tricks. Hope you find your buddy. Please let us know when you do.

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solitude_is_bliss_@reddit

Hey friend, my husbands is a trucker and I creep these subs, I hope you find your cat! I’m so sorry this happened but we’re all rooting for you!! Some others have mentioned facebook groups to post in, definitely try some local groups! I really hope you’re able to take your reset there and find your baby. If you are able to take that time, you might even be able to go someplace to print missing cat posters if need be and post those up too. (Hopefully it doesn’t even come to that!) Keep us posted ❤️

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Riyeko@reddit

Facebook.

Call the non emergency line for the local pd, they might have some info on where you can post his info to get more responses.

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MantisShrimpUpTop@reddit

Could you pull into another spot a ways away? Or leave and come back? If he’s nearby and watching you (he probably is) he may panic and come right back.

This worked with my mom’s dog that got out as a pup. We chased him around for a while but he was too fast. Then we went in and closed the door, watched out the window, and he came right up to the doorstep.

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amazingmaple@reddit

I hope you find him. Call dispatch now and say you're really really sick.

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

Thank you. Unfortunately I already told them the situation atound when he disappeared, though I did tell them I'm not going anywhere until I find him. I might be able to dig my heels in at least for today, since I'm running on really janky recaps rn i might be able to convince them to let me take a 34hr reset here and get a swap or something.

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J_cam202@reddit

Try walking around a bit calling his name while shaking his food bag to attract him.

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

I did that for 3 hours with a bag of his favorite treata, but ill do another round soon as I can close my window. My truck battery also died while I was out searching, and the window is stuck open, and I don't want to leave it unattended and someone come steal my stuff (also gotta try to keep the rain out with my curtain as best as i can, it's pouring now)

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Pure_Issue_3315@reddit

Brother you are going through it. I hope he comes back and all is well

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Pure_Issue_3315@reddit

Shaking the food bag is very good idea. When my cat gets out that’s all I have to do is walk around calling his name and shaking his food bag. I hope that brings him back

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throwfarfaraway0725@reddit

Put a piece of your dirty laundry out and it will attract the cat back to you. I had to do that when my cat got outside at my home. I am so sorry and I hope that he comes back to you!

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

Thank you,, I'll go put something in the carrier right now. Only thing is, it's starting to rain really bad now and I'm worried he won't be able to smell any of it...

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

Thank you, I just posted him on there.

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ashen_queen13@reddit (OP)

Thank you so much, I'll check it right now.