My 5 year old moggie has just developed wanderlust. I moved house about a
year ago and expected problems then. But she's been fine until about 6 weeks
ago. Now she's gone missing twice in 6 weeks for about 12 days each.

She's been found and returned both times, after a poster campaign by me &
the kids; the first time by someone about a kilometre away and the second
time by a neighbour about 50 m away. I live in a city centre, so a 1 km
radius gives lots of hiding spaces and lots of potential new homes. On both
occaisions she's returned in good condition and well fed - in fact a bit too
well fed. I suspect that she's found a second home somewhere.

I've had her microchipped mainly because she loses any collar I put on her
within a week. In hindsight, I think that was pointless - there are so many
alley cats around here that if everyone reported every potential stray, the
RSPCA would be snowed under.

Does anyone have any suggestions to discourage her wandering? She's too old
and to become a housecat, and to be honest, I've never had a housecat. I
find it difficult enough to keep the cats indoors for a couple of days after
they've been in the cattery. The fortnight I had to keep them confined to
barracks when I moved house was sheer hell for me and I don't think they
enjoyed it much either.

Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

Z