Feline Escape!

[stickmaker]

As per my usual routine, last night I got my three cats in and closed the house. All three felines came to get their treats a couple of hours later. This morning, however, I could only find one cat when I put their food out in the basement. I quickly noticed that the portcullis-like door over the cat flap was lifted up a bit. I opened the human-sized door, and one cat came in immediately with the other following shortly. 

I quickly figured out that I did not latch the cat door last night when I closed it. Apparently, one of the escapees discovered that they could nose the door up and squeeze under it, pushing the flap beyond aside, and the other followed. The one still inside is the one who spends most of her time inside, anyway. Once out, the two escapees could not get back in, as the flap blocked access to the door. 

No idea when they went out. Though I did see one of the escapees around 5:00 AM, when I got up to use the euphemism. I will be more careful about fully closing the portcullis from now on, and making certain the spring latch engages.