.
Chances are, if your cat runs off and doesn't return, either you were mean to them, or they got hurt or captured.
One of ours used to get lost over the winter, and find someone to take her in, until weather got better.
She did this a couple of years. I think she hated our dog, at the time, and couldn't bear being cooped up
with him. Great cat though - the only one I've ever seen draw blood with her tongue. She'd just lick until
you bled...and then lick harder.