By Elizabeth Hunter by way of SWNS
A cat who has been lacking for 12 years has been reunited along with his proprietor.
Finn the cat disappeared from his home in Barnstaple, Devon in 2011, after going out as ordinary one night.
Owner Michelle Watkin looked for days on finish, hanging posters and reporting him lacking to vets and microchippers Petlog.
“Finn went out as usual one evening, but disappeared without trace,” mentioned Michelle.
“I put up lost pet posters and leaflets through doors, reported him missing to local vets, walked the streets looking for him and reported him missing to Petlog, who he is chipped with.
“I got Finn as an eight-week-old kitten and his disappearance was devastating and traumatic.
“There were no sightings and I feared the worst.”
But 12 years later, Michelle obtained a cellphone name from her vet – saying they’d discovered a microchipped cat simply two miles away.
The chip was scanned, and Michelle’s particulars appeared – Finn had been discovered, and inside the hour, Michelle had introduced him home.
“I’m so happy to have him back,” mentioned Michelle.
“He’s become semi-feral due to, we think, living rough, but had been being fed by someone.
“He’s slowly settling back home and I’m gaining his trust! It’s going to take time but I’m just happy he’s home, after all this time.
“Please get your pets microchipped and ensure your contact details are kept up to date.
“If you find a lost or seemingly stray cat, immediately try and get them checked for a chip.
“If your pet is missing report it to your microchip database, local vets, and use social media. Above all, never give up hope.”
Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club, which manages Petlog, mentioned: “We’re so pleased that Finn was found safely and could be reunited with his family, after all this time, because of his microchip.
“Sadly not all pets are so lucky. Microchipping gives owners the best chance of being reunited with their pet if they go missing, but it is only effective if your contact details are up to date.
“Cat owners in England should also be aware that they have until 10 June 2024 to microchip their cat, to comply with new laws.
“Amid the trauma and heartbreak of losing a pet, in the future owners could also face fines if their cats are not microchipped – so it is really important not to leave this until the last minute.”
A microchip is the dimensions of a grain of rice which is inserted beneath the pores and skin in the back of an animal’s neck.
It completely identifies pets and connects them with an proprietor’s contact particulars, that are held on a database, like Petlog, enabling vets, native authorities and animal charities to scan the chip and match it to the proprietor’s particulars to reunite stolen, misplaced and located pets.
Currently, it’s a authorized requirement for all dogs to be microchipped in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. From 10 June 2024, pet cats in England have to be microchipped.
