A cat has amazingly been reunited with its owner after being missing for eight years.
The original owner, Georgina Louise, recently received a phone call from a veterinary surgery in Surrey, South East England, informing her that her estranged pet had been safely handed in and been identified as hers due to the cat's microchip details.
The no-doubt shocked pet-owner took to a local Facebook group to share the happy news about being reconnected with her beloved ginger tabby, Nigel, after so much time.
Louise also called for information about the cat's whereabouts for the past few years, writing: "Is anyone missing this cat? (Old photo). Very odd story. This used to be my cat. 7-8 years ago he disappeared. I got a call from a vet in Woking yesterday to say he'd been handed in. Looks very looked after.
"I'm interested in finding the person who's been looking after him? These are photos from over 8 years ago."
In a further Facebook post, Louise's friend Kiri Bos explained the whole story surrounding the prodigal cat, explaining: "He was a pretty happy and loving cat, but over time he clearly got a touch of wanderlust and started to disappear off for increasingly long periods of time.
"Each time, my friend would eventually either track him down or get a phone call that someone had found Nigel."
Bos then explained that the roaming pet would end up some 'miles away' from home and head to Botleys Mansion, Chertsey, a wedding venue, to play out his 'ideas of grandeur'.
"Sadly, over time Nigel lost his sweet and cuddly side and became more and more feral- he would steal food from wedding buffets and swipe at any guests that came close.
"The staff reported seeing him carrying off whole rabbits and fighting with foxes," she added.
Bos then explained: "The last couple of times my friend retrieved him, he would hiss and scratch and not let anyone near him."
Then, a number of years ago, Nigel 'just vanished', with his friends and family presuming the worst.
"Fast forward to 8 years later, alot has changed in that time," Bos explained. "My friend has relocated and now has a family and young children. Out of the blue, she gets a phone call- from a vets in Woking....unbelievably, they have Nigel!"
The adorable cat is said to be 'alive, well and purring away - happily enjoying cuddles' since being found.
One Facebook user commented on the post, remarking that they 'found Nigel wandering around our property in Chobham' recently and fed him in order 'to gain a little trust before trying to get him into a crate' and attempting to take him to a vet to have his microchip scanned.
They wrote: "It was us who decided to get him up to the vets so he could be checked over, when the vets phoned later that evening they mentioned he had been gone a while but wow! 8 years!"
"We had got quite attached to him while he was here. I would like to say that if he hasn't or cannot be reunited then we would happily give him a loving home," they added.
Nigel's loving friends and family are now calling on the public to find out who has been looking after their beloved pet for the past few years.
If you know who has been looking after Nigel all this time, get in touch here.
Topics: Viral, Social Media, Facebook, Animals
Gabriella Ferlita