A couple celebrated an extra special Christmas Eve this year as their missing pet cat was returned to them after six years.
The cat, named Tabs, disappeared in February 2013 when Jude and John Kinloch were preparing to move house.
The owners heard nothing of Tabs until Tuesday, when Lisa Jones, an Animal Rescue volunteer, spotted an “emaciated” cat near her home in Gillingham, Kent and soon identified him via his tag, which revealed his name and owners’ phone number.
“I was walking home after buying a toy for my daughter and I just saw this cat at the end of my road looking really matted, skinny and poorly,” Jones recalled.
“I thought, you know what, that cat needs looking after. I used to be homeless myself. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, because I know what it’s like.”
When Jones rang the Kinlochs, they were in shock and immediately drove to collect Tabs, who is now 19 years old.
“We couldn’t believe it when we got the phone call,” Jude said.
“I thought it was some kind of prank at first. Then when she said the cat’s name, Tabs, I knew it wasn’t [a prank].”
Jude added that John “hasn’t stopped crying since” and still kept a photograph of Tabs as his screensaver.
“It was like he had been reunited with his best friend,” she added.
Jude said that she could still recognise Tabs’ face, though he had become “a lot skinnier”.
“At 19 years old he’s done well to still be alive, especially given when he has been through,” she added.
“How he has survived, I just have no idea. Maybe he was waiting to see us again. It is just amazing. It really is a Christmas miracle.”
