Just had horrible experience. I have two indoor cats but the one will slip out when I take things to the bins sometimes and he follows me round the garden and back in the house. Shows no interest in going off.

I live near a really busy road but my back garden is pretty much cat proof I think but you never know if anything is cat proof really until they prove you wrong.

Anyway tonight he followed me to the bins but a loud motor bike revved nearby and he totally freaked and I just couldn't get him back in the house. Every time I went near him he ran off and I was panicking that he'd somehow find a way under the fence and he kept crouching and shaking really panicked. Sat with door open, trying to stop other cat also going out for half an hour and edging closer to him and then he freaked out ran past me back into house thank goodness. He hid for 10 mins then came out.

Poor boy!!!!!

I've never been so scared in my life. Will not be taking him into the garden for a while without a harness.

So glad he's safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so glad hes safe now!

I'm still crying. It's really stupid he's fine. I've left him downstairs thought he'd appreciate the peace as he's still a bit freaked out. But it shocked me so much. I don't know what I'd do without him.

Well one things for sure I'll never let him out properly. There are quite a few cats in my road that do get let out but he will not be one of them.

I know just how you feel. I had my kittens out on a harness last week and Wilbur managed to get out of it despite my having the neck clip on as well. Luckily in his panic he ran straight back inside, rather than anywhere else but I totally lost it and let go of the other kittens leads while trying to chase Wilbur. Closed the patio door to keep Wilbur in and found Oscar in the flowerbed. Our garden overlooks a side road which is fairly busy, which was my main concern.

Took a few days before I took them out again and thankfully neither wanted to get out of their harness and just explored like they were supposed to.

As I said at the time, it aged me 10 years

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Eric always runs out when I go to the bin. If he doesn't manage it when i'm on the way out he will be ready and waiting behind the door for my return journey. I have to be stood behind the door like a goalkeeper trying to grab him as soon as the door opens!

He's also ridiculously scared of motorbikes, he runs out of the garden and up 2 flights of stairs when he hears one bless him!

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I don't blame you for being scared! We have lots of people on our street that let their cats out. Yesterday I had to pin one to the ground as she nearly ran straight out in to the road in front of a van that was bombing down the street! As it's a quiet street people think they can go really fast. She is a lovely sweet tortie and it really pisses me off that they deliberately let theirs out to risk it!

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Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011