Buddy the cat is on the lam, and those who love him want him to come home.

Buddy, the beloved pet of residents at Martin-Boyd Christian Home Inc., an assisted-living facility on Standifer Gap Road, has been missing for a week, having escaped from his carrier during his annual visit to the veterinarian.

“We all miss him so much. Everybody loves him,” said 91-year-old Sadie Long, who has lived at Martin-Boyd for five years. “He knew this place better than I do. He’d come in my room and jump up in one of my chairs, and I’d raise my blinds so he could look out at the birds. He loves my walker, too. He’d see me coming and come running down the hall and jump on the seat.”

“We use him for our residents’ enjoyment,” office manager Sue Pelham said. “He’s like a therapy cat and goes from room to room to visit with them. And he’ll hop on walkers with seats and go for a little ride. Both bring a lot of enjoyment.”

“It’s broken all our hearts now that he’s missing,” Ms. Long said. “I’ve prayed about that cat night and day for the Lord to show him the way back.”

Buddy and his sister, Bootsie, born in the courtyard of the facility and adopted shortly thereafter, were at Animal Clinic East on Gunbarrel Road when their carrier broke and Buddy got out, officials said.

Ms. Pelham posted fliers around the area where Buddy went missing and has received one call saying he was spotted in the Concord Highlands neighborhood, she said.

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