Family 'Devastated' After Beloved Cat, Fred, Goes Missing

FLANDERS, NY — Fred, an orange tabby cat, has gone missing in Flanders, and his family is frantic, hoping to bring him home safely.

According to Catherine Jones, 18, a college student in Boston, her family's cat went missing Monday from their Flanders home. He was last seen on Flanders Rd. near Huntington Lane, and the Big Duck, she said.

Fred, who is 9 years old and about 12 lbs., is an orange tabby with white paws and a white belly, she said.

"He is shy but will respond to treats, chicken and catnip. Please help!" Jone said, as she took to social media to spread the word.

Fred, Jones said, is sometimes "super lovable and other times, he'll look at you and run away. He's skittish."

Her family has two cats; Fred's brother is named Blue.

The family, from Manhasset, has a summer house in Flanders, and they brought both cats out east for the weekend, Jones said.

The cats are typically indoor-outdoor cats, who go out during the day and come home at night at their Manhasset home. But Fred, Jones said, has never been outside in Flanders before — he escaped through a sun porch window.

"We haven't seen him since. He hasn't been outside here so he doesn't know the area," Jones said. While she is away at college, her parents have been searching nearby streets, trying to find him.

Jones is heartbroken. "He's a part of our family. He's super sweet. He and his brother were the first pets we ever had. Before that, we had a goldfish," she said.

Being so far away at school while her precious cat is missing is difficult. "I'm devastated," she said. "I feel helpless."

If you see Fred, call 516-521-0098 or email cjjones2000@yahoo.com.