Update: Nibbler is still missing. Here’s more information directly from the cat’s owner:
“Nibbler has been missing from 49th & Larchwood since July. Numerous reports of possible Nibbler sightings range from 50th to 46th, and from Baltimore Ave to Pine St. Nibbler is a male, and was about 22 lbs when he went missing so this is pretty big cat. He had a collar and tag when last seen, but that may have slipped off. He has black spots on his back, a black tail, and white underbelly. His humans miss him very, very much and believe he is still wandering around West Philly. If you think you have seen him please let us know. Nibbler is micro-chipped.”
Please call Doug at 215 909 2334 if you’ve seen Nibbler.
July 6th, 2012 at 10:52 am
Are there any updates/sightings ?
July 9th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
A few mistaken id’s and a few possible sightings, but no Nibbler yet : (
July 9th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Doug, did you get my suggestions for searching, etc. (via craigslist)? I assume you’ve already posted flyers everywhere and have made a report to ACCT and Morris… Do you want to try trapping? I have a humane trap you can use… -L
September 8th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Any luck with finding Nibbler yet? I notice that the craigslist ad has expired.
September 10th, 2012 at 10:22 am
This weekend, I saw a cat that looked a LOT like Nibbler in the alleyway between Cedar and Walton as I was walking down 50th street. Tuxedo cat, wide-set yellow eyes, black patches over each eye. He was shy and wouldn’t come toward me. He looked a little dingy but had a collar on. If Nibbler is still missing, this could be him.
September 10th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Kate, I would call Doug at the number in the ad and let him know. I’m not certain he is seeing the comments here. The location makes sense, and if the cat you saw is wearing a collar and looks dingy it would seem to fit. I would suggest they talk to neighbors and set up a humane trap nearby…
September 10th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Good suggestion, Linda. I called Doug yesterday and left a message, then spotted what looked like the same cat (same facial markings as cat in this photo, solid black tail, white rear legs) today on 50th between Hazel and Cedar. Called Doug’s number right away, but again nobody picked up. I’m 90% sure that this is Nibbler, and I’d be happy to let Doug set a humane trap by my apartment on 50th. Doug, if you’re reading this, please feel free to reach out via email or via the number I left on your phone. I’ll keep looking out for your cat.
September 10th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
I have a trap Doug can borrow. If you should see the kitty again see if you can get a photo with your cell phone…
September 14th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
I’ve spotted this cat four times now in the past week in the area between Cedar and Larchwood, 50th to 48th. Old phone won’t permit me to get a decent photo, and I have yet to be able to get this cat to come into scooping-up distance. I’ve made contact with Doug about these sightings, but I’m asking that all other neighbors put Doug’s number in their phones and keep an eye out for this cat. I haven’t seen him around before this week, so something’s driving him out of wherever he’d been hanging out. Thanks, everyone!
September 15th, 2012 at 12:07 am
I would suggest going door-to-door with an updated flyer, explaining the recent sightings. Many neighbors don’t use westphillylocal and aren’t on any of the email groups, so should be reminded what to look for. Perhaps he can be lured with some canned cat food or tuna. I would ask neighbors to keep fresh water available on their porches/property. Again, I have a humane trap that Doug can borrow and set up near one of the locations Nibbler’s been seen…. email: lml3@verizon.net
September 25th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
I’ve seen a shy, collarless black and white cat around 42-43rd on Pine the past couple of weeks. I don’t know if it’s the same cat (definitely didn’t look 22 lbs) and it didn’t come when I called, but I’ll keep an eye out and see if it looks the same as the picture.
September 25th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
“neighbor”,
Can you get a photo of the kitty you’ve seen? You can email it to lml3@verizon.net for posting to neighborhood lists and to the owner of Nibbler.
Is the b&w cat you say you’ve seen definitely b&w, or could it be tabby & white? bc: 1) there is a b&w indoor-outdoor that lives on the 4300 blk of Osage/Pine (but usually hangs out in the back alley), and 2) there is a TNRd tabby & white stray that roams the area btw 43rd & Osage and 42nd & Spruce daily. Note that as a TNRd (trap-neuter-release) cat he has a left ear clipped, is neutered and vaccinated (recently). This cat is friendly but skittish around folks he doesn’t know, and is fed in three different locations within his territory. I can show you a photo if you want to confirm (above email). thx.
September 26th, 2012 at 4:31 am
definitely black and white. I’ll snap a photo if I see it again.
September 26th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Just spoke to Doug on the phone after seeing the cat again this evening. Doug tells me that he has been looking for the cat in the described area, saw him yesterday under a car on the 4900 block of Walton, and can confirm with 99% certainty that this cat is actually Nibbler, from his markings, collar, and distinctive meow. We’re talking now about capture plans, since the poor cat is too scared and stressed to come within arm’s reach of anybody. Are any neighbors on 4900 Walton or 50th Street willing to host and watch a humane trap? We’re so close to getting this little guy home!
September 26th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Kate, do you guys have a trap? If you need one I can bring mine over. Do you know if/where he has a food source. Does he like cat nip? make sure to bait the trap with his favorite food!
September 26th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Kate,
I’m sending out a note to the listservs? can I give your email as a contact? you can email me at: L m L 3 @verizon.net
September 27th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Does nibbler have any black on his right side? It’s hard to tell from this picture, even though that’s the side that’s somewhat visible. If so, he was in my neighbors backyard at 49th and warrington 2 nights ago.
September 27th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Said cat was meowing like a female in heat…
September 27th, 2012 at 11:00 am
We are at 50th & Catharine on the Walton st side. I have not seen Nibbler but would be willing to have a humane trap set in our back yard to try and catch him. (We do have an indoor/outdoor adult rescue but he’s getting older and doesn’t defend his territory that much so we do see strays wander through.) If you don’t get a better offer, feel free to email me at my name (above) at verizon dot net
September 27th, 2012 at 11:39 am
Adam, I believe this is a different kitty. I’ve seen a very similar cat at 49th & Windsor and was told it was a local kitty. Also, another tuxedo “Casio”, who is nearly identical to Nibbler, lives around 48th & Warrington. Casio went missing a couple of times in June/July, but I believe was found. Not sure if he is indoor-outdoor or not. His pic may still be up on wpl.com (in the Pets section), or you can email me and I’ll send you his pic.
L m L3 @verizon.net If you see the b&w kitty again perhaps you can grab a pic of him/her and forward it… thx.
September 29th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Nibbler, or his lookalike, was captured and brought back to Doug’s house by a creat community effort this afternoon! Doug gets home from work at 11 and will confirm whether it’s his cat. Roommates are watching it for now and assure me that even if it’s not Nibbler, this cat is officially off the streets and in a safe and loving home now. Well done, everyone.
September 29th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
That is awesome! Let us know the outcome.