Rural area? the owners probably let him run around outside ... and wonder why he doesn’t come back. Any number of reasons. Maybe a fox et ‘im. I hope not ... but if you let a cat run around outside, you’re taking a gamble.
Absolutely true. They'll almost certainly come back if they can. If they don't it's a very bad sign.
...if you let a cat run around outside, you’re taking a gamble.
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Agree.