LOST CAT: Ginger and white cat called Vambo - Portsmouth area, Hampshire

Dear Ruth, thank you for your message. It was kind of you to reply so quickly. Vambo is still missing and we are desperately worried. You said that you cat was luckily found via facebook. May I ask, was your cat with another household? Best wishes Caroline X

Hi Caroline, I'm not sure but I think it's likely because she was so well kempt and had even put on some weight when I got her back! I can only imagine she'd been looked after by someone else. She was found by some students who put her picture on a Portsmouth Community Facebook group because she'd been meowing outside their house since the night before. They'd not seen her before that though. She was only 5 minutes on foot away from home so must have been 'living' somewhere nearby for those 3 months I'm sure. I think some people (particularly older people) don't always think about cats being lost or having microchips and just feed and look after cats that appear at their door. Frustrating but little you can do but keep Vambo's face out there via Facebook groups and posters near your house. Chances are he's nearby as most are found within a few streets away. Try to stay hopeful, it's hard but most do come back home or are found eventually. Asking nearby neighbours to check their sheds and garages is the most important thing to do in the first few days. Let me know when he's home. If you are on Facebook then I would definitely recommend joining the group "Portsmouth Cats, Lost, Found and Rehomed". They're an amazing group who actively help search and scan for missing cats, and the members are so caring and supportive. They were a great help to me when Moosh was missing. Ruth xx

Hi Ruth&Moosh - I thought you would like to know that Vambo returned home at 6am this morning. We have no idea where he has been but he is a bit thin and very happy to be home. We are over the moon to get him back. We have a lot of posters to take down across the City but that's no bother. Thanks again for your support. X

Oh this is such great news! Hope he makes a full recovery from his ordeal. I remember taking all of Moosh's posters down, it was a long but delightful task! :) thanks for letting me know xx