Inverness vets find micro-chipped cat missing from County Durham in the north of England after four months and a 300-mile journey
A cat who vanished in the north of England four months ago has been found 300 miles away in Inverness.
Three-year-old Luna left her owner distraught and heartbroken after disappearing from their County Durham home in November.
Sophie Carty (25), from Darlington, feared the worst for her beloved pet as heavy snows and freezing temperatures hit with still no sign after numerous searches and social media appeals.
Finally, just last month, there was unexpected joy – after a call from a Highland vet.
A microchip placed under Luna’s skin held her owner’s contact details and she was contacted with the help of the lost and found database, Petlog.
The poor missing mog was discovered in a frail state locked in a local hotel’s outbuilding.
It remains a complete mystery as to how she was transported all the way to the Highland capital.
After being reunited with Luna, Sophie said: “After four months of heartache, I received a call from Highland Vet Referrals saying Luna had been brought into the surgery, and she was alive and doing well, despite being very thin.
“I was inconsolable and asked where she was, that's when the vet told me she was in Inverness in Scotland.
“I couldn't believe it.
“That was about a six-hour drive from where Luna went missing. We travelled the long journey to collect her and brought her home.”
Luna was in a fragile state, suffering from malnourishment, an infection and suspected nerve damage.
Sophie added: “On her first couple nights home, Luna was in a very bad way, very tired and looked to be paralysed on her back end.
“However, after a trip to the vets, antibiotics and painkillers, she is like a new cat.
“She is up and moving, with assistance, and is happy to be home with us.
“She's getting loads of cuddles and attention which she isn’t complaining about!”
A Petlog spokesman said: “We are thrilled that Luna and Sophie have been reunited.
“Luna’s story is an incredible example of why microchipping is so important. It gives pets the best chance of being reunited with their families – even when they are found over 100 miles away!
“If it wasn't for her microchip, we would never have seen her again. I’d just ask people to make sure their details are up to date, because you never know when your cat might hitch a lift to visit Loch Ness!”
The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is placed under the skin at the back of the animal’s neck.
It links pets to their owners’ contact details, held on databases allowing vets, local authorities and animal charities to scan the chip and match it to the owner.
Since June 2024, all pet cats must be microchipped by law before they are 20 weeks old.
