Co Down cat present in Connemara after three years lacking probably “hitched” a journey, or two, to finish up so removed from home – The Irish Information

If solely cats may discuss, Blueberry probably may regale with some tales after going lacking from north Down – then turning up in Connemara within the west of Ireland greater than three years later.

The Smyth household from Bangor by no means believed they’d see their now close to 10-year-old after he went lacking in November 2019.

Then they acquired a name from a vet in Moycullen exterior Galway metropolis to inform the Smyths: “We have your Blueberry.”

On how Blueberry ended up greater than 200 miles from the place he went lacking, “the thoughts boggles,” stated Libby Porter, who heads a pet rescue and rehoming group in north Down.

“I’ve by no means, ever, heard of a cat being discovered after that size of time and distance, undoubtedly, undoubtedly not,” added Libby, who was glad to update an preliminary Facebook put up reporting Blueberry had been misplaced however was now discovered.

“If solely he may discuss,” she stated.

Owner Hannah Smyth did trace on the likeliest risk as she revealed he was “susceptible to leaping into vans or cars”.

Libby, who runs Lost and Found Pets North Down and Ards, stated there’s little chance Blueberry managed his epic journey “with out hitching a ride”, or perhaps two, alongside the best way.

“I’d not think about so. He wouldn’t journey too far and he’s neutered male in order that cuts down additional the chance as he wouldn’t be looking a mate.

“But the thoughts boggles. All issues are attainable however it’s probably we’ll by no means unravel what actually occurred.”

Blueberry was dwelling as a stray on the streets of Moycullen, about seven miles north of Galway metropolis. Then a resident observed he was wanting ailing and took him to Moycullen Veterinary Clinic.

“He was very unwell when the person introduced him in, he had cat flu, the poor factor,” Hannah instructed The Belfast Telegraph.

“But the vet knew he was misplaced as he was microchipped.”

An preliminary search of Ireland’s cat database turned up no matches. Then the vet tried Europetnet, which covers 26 European international locations and located the north Down match.

“We had simply accepted that was it and he was gone, however then my mum acquired a name from somebody down south, she normaly wouldn’t get calls like that so she answered it and so they stated, ‘We have your Blueberry’,” Hannah stated.

“She couldn’t imagine it, all of us thought there was no approach it was attainable.”

“It goes to point out the significance of getting a microchip,” added Libby.

Cats Protection, a UK-wide organisation, stated it does occur that cats flip up many many miles from home and after many years. A cat was lately reunited after 9 years whereas one from Norfolk was present in Scotland.

“They have a behavior of leaping in cosy elimination vans and falling asleep and many others – so it does occur, sure,” stated Marcus Agar of Cats Protection.