We got this Bengal 6 weeks ago she is 3 years old, and I've been trying to keep her in doors for now until I get a lead and then walk her around the place outside. Well today she slipped outside, I had the door open for not more than 5 sec. and she got out. My question is, we did not have her as a kitten, so will she take off and go find her old home? I have heard stories like that of dogs, but not cats. If not how does Bengal's find their way home? I hope and pray I did not lose her.

There is another female Bengal across the street I am hoping that she went over and they become friends. I don't know what to do, because I need to go to work.

When I first moved with my 9 year old Bengal I worried that he would slip away and go who knows where. Especially since he was very adept at opening doors.

When he slipped out on the balcony, I was able to lure him back in with food. Try your cat's favorite, stinky wet food. Make "food" noises. Call for her day and night, every couple of hours.

Look up. Seriously. Check trees and rooftops. When on the balcony, Oberon climbed out on to the roof. Eyed the peak of the roof. They really crave heights.

Try any favorite fishing toys. Maybe put a shirt or pillowcase with your scent on it near a door to your house. Your Bengal may think about heading home, but is likely living out its inner wanderlust, and will likely come back if you help them find home again.

Try putting "Lost cat" signs around the neighborhood with a picture if you can. I lost another cat once and a family with children called me to say they had my cat and saw my sign. Another family may have taken in your lost cat and fed it.

Good luck!

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Unfortunately, cats are not like children who go looking for friends. And most cats do not go searching for their previous home. Bengals are very quick about getting outside -- and when they are unfamiliar with the area, they generally do not travel far. Hopefully, you have been out there looking for her. If you changed her name, she may not be familiar with it if you call her. Your best bet is to look high and low and cover as much ground as you can. She may be terrified out in the big world. Carry (shake) a bag of treats or the smelliest food that you can find -- fish mostly. Put out some scents for her -- clothing that you have worn and not washed. They claim if you put the litter box outside, she can smell it from afar -- but some cat professionals claim that is not true. If nothing else, you can usually find a humane trap and put some really smelly cat food in there and see if she comes back and trips it closed. You can also catch some other critters like raccoons and possums.

Since she is not familiar with the outside, it is doubtful she will return to your front door, although that is possible. It's great that you want to walk her on a harness and leash, but that only reinforces the desire to go outside when the door is open. My bengal a great escape artist and many time I have to shut him in our bedroom in order to come and go through the door (like bringing in groceries).

I suggest a couple of things. Microchip the cat. Also, put a collar on the cat with your name and phone number. If she loses the collar, get another one. You want to make it easy for someone to return her if they find her. Also, there are tracking devices out there -- some cheap, some very expensive. However, since your baby is not generally outside, it probably would not be worth it to invest in something that she would have to wear around her collar and worry about batteries being charged.

I'm hoping you are able to find her. The neighbor with the bengal may be able to help a little. If she hasn't returned yet, make flyers with her picture and hand them to neighbors. Ask them to check crawl spaces and garages as a cat may seek shelter there. Please keep us posted.