I don't know what to do. I have an indoor cat, but her litter box is in the garage, and that's where she does her business. I usually leave the garage open to let it vent out, but I have a pet gate across it and she always "knew" never to jump the gate or leave the garage. Well, I think the cleaning crew, moved the gate when they left on Tuesday and she walked out.
This was bad timing, as I was leaving for Vegas at 4:30am the next morning. I had my father leave food outside of the garage for the entire week, and it gets eaten...He's stayed there for a few mornings for long periods of time, and never saw her.
Tonight, I'm going to leave flyers around the community...but I'm upset about this. She's not declawed, but she's probably scared to death out there. Something is eating my food that I leave out, but it could be a stray. I don't know what else to do...it's been a week, and no sight of my kitty.

Can they be away this long and still come back?