Vanessa MacDougall got Milo as a kitten. Now 15-20 pounds and 9 years old, Milo has been the subject of an extensive search in the Gardiner Road (Route 27) area of Wiscasset since Aug. 12. MacDougall had him in a carrier at 9:20 a.m. in the parking lot of Wiscasset Veterinary Hospital, where his hurt paw was going to get checked, MacDougall told Wiscasset Newspaper Aug. 17. She said he pushed against the carrier door and it came completely off. Out he went and ran behind the building, stopped briefly and, hearing a dog's bark from a nearby kennel, "he booked it straight into the woods," she said.

Since then, MacDougall, mother Arianna MacDougall and Vanessa's best friend Marissa Peters have put up flyers in the area and on Facebook, gone door to door, set up have-a-heart-style traps and cameras, called Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and shelters, and also staked out the area as much as possible. 

"I've looked under sheds and buildings. I've sat in the field for hours and (spent time at) night in the parking lot multiple times." She was not sleeping much. 

Vanessa MacDougall was confident in a sighting they learned of that was Friday at the farm on the other side of the road from the vet hospital. She is doubtful about a Middle Street sighting, however, because a smaller but somewhat similar-looking cat has also gone missing in town, and because Milo's scared of loud noises, she said.

"I got him as a very baby," MacDougall said through tears.

A flyer said to not chase Milo, and said to call 207 790-1869 with any information.