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UPDATED -- FOUND: Gambit's gambit? Did cat sneak off for summer frolic? ALL-PETS BULLETIN

By Billie Owens

APB -- ALL-PETS BULLETIN: "Gambit" the cat is missing from the corner area of Vine Street and East Avenue in the City of Batavia.

The male tabby, 1 1/2 years old, is gray and white, neutered and very friendly. He wears both a pink and a silver collar with a bell, and a name tag with phone number.

If you see Gambit, please call Mike Columbo at (585) 297-0241.

A gambit as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as: a chess opening in which a player risks one or more pawns or a minor piece to gain an advantage in position; a remark intended to start a conversation or make a telling point; and/or a calculated move, a stratagem.

Let us hope this sudden and unexplained disappearance by Gambit is not a "stratagem" of his to have sneaky summer fun at the expense of his poor owner's well-being.

UPDATE (By Billie) Thursday, June 21, 4:42 p.m.: Just spoke with owner Mike Columbo who laments that his cat has still not turned up. He's hopeful and plans to put fliers up in the neighborhood. Please keep your eyes peeled for Gambit, readers; it's a calculated move calculated to bring him home!

UPDATE Sunday, June 24:  This afternoon Gambit's owner wrote to say the cat was located in the backyard of a neighbor late Thursday. The cat is home safe and sound. Mike Columbo wrote:

"...I found my cat Gambit on Thursday night! Someone who lives on Elm Street, a block away from me, called saying they saw him in their backyard!  
I was able to lure him out with some treats and brought him back home! Needless to say I was elated!"

alvin tufts

If people honestly cared about their pets welfare then they wouldn't let them outside off leash. Claiming they just slipped out is no excuse either. You would have multiple levels of prevention if you really wanted to make sure. Please enter your lame excuses and explanations below ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Jun 21, 2018, 8:58pm Permalink
Jason Crater

Alvin - we have a cat that waits at our door when she hears our car pull in the driveway. As soon as you turn the knob she bolts. She'll spend an hour outside and then want to come back in.

We are absolutely responsible pet owners. Feel free to think otherwise.

Jun 22, 2018, 9:15am Permalink
Rich Richmond

I have two cats. One is a former barn cat, and the other from the County Animal Shelter. They are both indoor cats. Our grey cat, Sucki-the barn cat, will walk out on the front porch and stay there. The other Cinders (1-year-old) is on a leash and harness when he's outside because he will bolt. All cats are different.

Jun 22, 2018, 9:39am Permalink
C. M. Barons

Alvin Tufts, you have no idea the circumstances that led to this cat getting out. A pet-owner is worried about their cat, and the best you can come up with is a harsh assessment of their prevention practices and the inference, they don't honestly care about their pet. If they didn't care about their pet they wouldn't put themselves in the position of suffering the mean-spirited comments that some members of this forum feel compelled to post.

Jun 22, 2018, 4:56pm Permalink
Linda LaPorte

You never know if your pet is going to make a run for it….if they have the chance….I think it is an instinct to run outdoors. We had a door open to move some furniture….never giving it a thought that our dog would run out, but she did…thankfully a young neighbor saw her….she was all the way down the street…I ran after her so fast and hugged her so hard…thankful she didn’t get in the street. Please make it home Gambit.

Jun 22, 2018, 5:42pm Permalink
Billie Owens

UPDATE - Gambit found!

Sunday, June 24: This afternoon Gambit's owner wrote to say the cat was located in the backyard of a neighbor late Thursday. The cat is home safe and sound.

Mike Columbo wrote:
"...I found my cat Gambit on Thursday night! Someone who lives on Elm Street, a block away from me, called saying they saw him in their backyard! I was able to lure him out with some treats and brought him back home! Needless to say I was elated!"

We are, too!

Jun 24, 2018, 11:17pm Permalink

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