I feel sick. I had an attempted break-in last night, one of my windows is broken and the outside is a mess. I don't think they got in as there is nothing missing except one thing.. Kevin, one of my precious moggies. I'm worried sick about him, he doesn't go out, he isn't street-wise, did the criminals take him? Or did he escape through the damaged window? He goes into the garden with me sometimes, he doesn't want to go anywhere so I'm guessing they scared the wits out of him.
The dogs sleep in the kitchen at night, I wonder if they heard something and started barking (I didn't hear anything but then I could sleep through World War 3 :rolleyes:) and thats why they didn't get in properly

I don't know what to do! Help I'm so scared they're going to come back and that I won't see my baby Kev again :( :( :( :(

Sorry to whine on xx

Call the Police and Insurance company.  Broken windows count as a domestic emergency so they should send someone to make things safe. 

Hopefully the cat will come home when he gets over his fright, but might be worth asking neighbours to check their sheds, garages and greenhouses.

What an unnerving thing to have happened :(

Have you searched the whole of your house for Kevin? If he is a nervous cat he may well have fled and hid somewhere indoors - he probably would have run in the opposite direction to that of the breaking window as the noise would probably have made him flee as far away as possible from the thing that was scaring him and not towards it. Have you reported it to the police as they will be able to put you in touch with Victim Support who will be able to help you discuss your fear of the situation.

I have never been unlucky enough to have been in your situation so can't offer much advice :( but would have thought that if your dogs scared off the would be intruders they aren't very likely to come back again and risk another encounter with your minders - they will probably look for somewhere where their entry isn't going to be noticed. A policeman once told me that burglars don't like houses with small dogs in them because of the row they make :)

Hope you can locate Kevin soon.

The police are on their way now. No he's not nervous he's sooooo friendly, too friendly! I've searched everywhere, he's not here. I can't stop shaking! Think I'll have to let the dogs have the run of the house tonight - if nothing else to make me feel safer I'm on my own here, well, me and my little boy. 

But then I'd panic they'd steal my dogs...

Oh dear what a shock for you :(

Lucy
xx

I hope you're OK. I can remember someone trying to break in through my back door when I was alone when my children were small. I was so scared I couldn't move but when my dog started barking this man ran, I then looked out the window and saw him running down the street. He never came back.

I'm sure your dogs have scared the intruders off and I hope Kevin returns.

I hope you find Kevin, i'm sure he will be back before you know it. I would ring the local animal shelters so that they are aware in case someone brings him in.

x

he doesn't go out, he isn't street wise.

What type of cat is he hebeboots?  I know some breeds hate being outside, it may well be that he is frightened and ran off and is now lost, is he microchipped? 

I would get posters out asap he will make his way to a home if possible and someone may take him in and not check if he belongs to anyone it happens a lot with cats, people start to feed them, and then just let them stay thinking they are strays. If your area has woodlands, fields etc close by check under all the bushes and just keep calling his name.  Cats especially not used to being outside can be quite close but no have the training to find their way home, ask people to check their sheds, garages, cars, vans, get the word out fast to avoid him straying further away.

I hope that you find him soon, I doubt these people will come back hun, they very rarely come back, your dogs will have scared them away.

Let us know if you find Kevin, I'll be wishing him to find his way back to you. :-)

Found him! I was outside calling him and he suddenly appeared from nowhere running over meowing his head off, bless 'im! He's fine seems very tired and a bit nervy but otherwise unharmed - phew.
The police are coming back with the forensics people in the morning to get prints and take photos etc. The police said that if I didn't have dogs I would have almost certainly woken to an empty house this morning - as the window was broken enough for them to lean in and open the big ones. So a big juicy bones for my little fluffy heroes tonight! Could have been so much worse, it makes me shudder, one of those things that happens to other people

I called the shelters, so will have to call again to tell them Kevin's home in the morning, they were very helpful and kind.

Thanks for your messages all. xxx

Don't think I'm going to find it easy to sleep tonight!!

Hope you managed to get some sleep last night and really pleased that Kevin is back home where he belongs :)

Thanks :) well I managed to get a little sleep but not much, the slightest noise had me shooting out of bed!!
The police forensics have been round this morning and gave me the bad news that the intruders had been in my house. They found two sets of trainer prints on the inside of the window sill, but they can't understand why nothing had been taken, unless the dogs did wake and start yelling.. They also managed to get some clear, fresh finger prints. Its a horrible thought that someones been inside your house :(

Oh Lins... what an awful experience, it does feel like such a violation when this happens doesnt it.
Did the Officers give you a talk on how better to secure windows (which locks to have etc)? If not let me know and I'll pm you some details.
I'll pm you my phone no (In case your ever feeling the heebie jeebies and need someone to talk to x)
Glad you and the gang are all ok.
Liv.

Sorry to hear this and I hope you are ok.

I don't mean to scare you but they may well come back as they may just have had a look around to see whats about. This does happen and they then return all set up to take larger items like your tv or hi-fi or where you keep items like car keys. They will also check to out your security at the same time. Hopefully they don't but this does happen.
Why not secure your garden like outside lights, locked gates, fences with additional trellis work, improved locks on windows and an alarm fitted to the house with a box on the front and rear. Even dumby boxes stop them. if you have a dumby box fitted insure you have net curtins up as they look for room sensors.
Make sure anything that can be used outside to climb up is secured like bins and never leave a ladder on show or any garden tools.
If you go out don't just leave a light on, leave a tv going as they can see the light shade change through curtins and that makes them think someone is home along with the sound.
The police may be able to give you info on recommended security companies within your area too.
Burglers always aim at easy targets, make life hard for them.