Two separate families have claimed ownership over a cat missing for seven months.
A friendly black feline was spotted by a commuter at St Albans City Station last week. She soon afterwards put out an appeal for its owners on social media.
The post said: “He seemed fine at first but when I got closer to him I realised he was a bit stiff when walking and not fat enough. He did not wear any collar but had nice fur which did not seem to indicate he was homeless. He was very sociable.
“I’m slightly worried for this cat and would appreciate if anyone could help me identify his owner.”
St Albans and District Cats Protection picked up the appeal and hurried to the station to find the moggy trapped and unwilling to emerge from hiding.
Jo Daw, from the charity, said: “She was completely enclosed by very high walls and spiked security fencing and wasn’t responding to being called or even when a broom handle rustled near her in the undergrowth.
“We began to get quite concerned that there was a possibility this was because she was ill or injured.”
Four employees at the station came to help, scaling the fence to rescue the cat.
A microchip scan revealed the cat had been missing for seven months. After a brief stay at Animalism Veterinary Surgery, the cat was reunited with her official owners.
However, another person also came forward to claim ownership, believing the 17-year-old cat was also hers.
The kitty had climbed into her window seven months ago, and after a futile search to trace the owners, the woman had taken her in.
Jo said: “She had never heard of microchipping, so it hadn’t crossed her mind to ask a vet or rescue to scan for a chip.
“So a day of mixed feelings for all, but a huge reminder of the importance of microchipping, updating records and details, and asking a vet or rescue to check for a microchip if you think you have found a lost or stray cat, and a happy ending for this little one.”
She thanked the rail station staff for their help.
For more information about the charity, visit www.cats.org.uk/stalbans
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