Missing cat reunited with owners after a decade

Staff at The Blue Cross pet charity in Burford, Oxfordshire were amazed this week when they reunited a stray cat with his owners following a ten year disappearance.

Twelve year-old Lynx was brought to the charity as a stray after he was found in the nearby village of Carterton. During routine checks staff discovered that he was microchipped. A scan of the electronic identification device revealed contact details that were used to track down his registered owners - over 60 miles away in Hook, Hampshire.

Trisha Bailey, animal welfare assistant at The Blue Cross made a phone call to the couple, Mrs Charnet and Mr Gilbody. At first they could not believe the cat was theirs, but after she described the cat they were convinced to make the journey to Burford on Wednesday 27 June. They knew instantly Lynx was their missing cat and were ecstatic to be reunited.

Mrs Charnet said:" We are so grateful to The Blue Cross for returning Lynx to us. He was missing for so long we thought we would never see him again, so to be able to hold him feels like a miracle."

Trisha Bailey from The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Burford said: "We were amazed to discover that Lynx had been missing for ten years. I still can't believe we were able to reunite him with his owners after such a long time - it goes to show how important microchipping is. The Blue Cross takes in plenty of stray animals so a happy ending like this just makes our day!"

The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Burford has taken in 15 stray cats over the last month alone and has found 33 cats new homes during the same period.

Media contact: Louise Lee
Direct line: 0207 932 4066
Mobile: 07880 781637

Notes to editors:

Images of the reunion available

Interviews with Blue Cross staff and Lynx’s owner can be arranged

Missing animals are reunited with their owners every year thanks to microchipping. Ask your vet to find out more. If you are on a low income and would like your pet microchipped or neutered please contact The Blue Cross on 01993 822651

The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees.