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Missing Princetown cat home after four years | Missing Princetown cat home after four years |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A missing cat has been reunited with her family in Devon - more than four years after disappearing. | A missing cat has been reunited with her family in Devon - more than four years after disappearing. |
Willow, a 10-year-old black moggy, went missing from Cristel and Mark Worth's home in Princetown in 2007. | Willow, a 10-year-old black moggy, went missing from Cristel and Mark Worth's home in Princetown in 2007. |
On Tuesday, Gables Farm Dogs' and Cats' Home contacted the Worths to say a microchip scan had identified a stray cat found in Plymouth as Willow. | On Tuesday, Gables Farm Dogs' and Cats' Home contacted the Worths to say a microchip scan had identified a stray cat found in Plymouth as Willow. |
"It's really only sinking in now, but it's the best Christmas present ever," Mrs Worth said. | "It's really only sinking in now, but it's the best Christmas present ever," Mrs Worth said. |
The loss of the cat, who Mrs Worth had rehomed from an RSPCA centre as a kitten, devastated the family. | The loss of the cat, who Mrs Worth had rehomed from an RSPCA centre as a kitten, devastated the family. |
'Lost for words' | 'Lost for words' |
"We opened the door one day to let her out to play as normal and she just vanished," Mrs Worth told BBC News. | "We opened the door one day to let her out to play as normal and she just vanished," Mrs Worth told BBC News. |
"For a long while I used to go out to look for her... but after four years it's fair to say I'd almost given up hope of ever seeing Willow again. | "For a long while I used to go out to look for her... but after four years it's fair to say I'd almost given up hope of ever seeing Willow again. |
"I was lost for words when I received the phone call from Gables Farm." | "I was lost for words when I received the phone call from Gables Farm." |
A family from the Elburton area of Plymouth found a "skinny, limping and unhealthy" cat about six months ago but, because Gables was full, it agreed to look after the cat until a space was available. | A family from the Elburton area of Plymouth found a "skinny, limping and unhealthy" cat about six months ago but, because Gables was full, it agreed to look after the cat until a space was available. |
That happened earlier this week and when staff at Gables Farm scanned the cat they found her microchip and contacted the Worths. | That happened earlier this week and when staff at Gables Farm scanned the cat they found her microchip and contacted the Worths. |
Mrs Worth said the call came at 15:30 GMT - just 30 minutes before the centre was due to close. | Mrs Worth said the call came at 15:30 GMT - just 30 minutes before the centre was due to close. |
"By the time I'd answered the security questions, we'd only about 20 minutes to dart across the moor and get to Plymouth (about 16 miles/26km away). | "By the time I'd answered the security questions, we'd only about 20 minutes to dart across the moor and get to Plymouth (about 16 miles/26km away). |
"We'd been in our pyjamas watching a Disney film with the children - I didn't even change, so it was a bit embarrassing, but thankfully Gables stayed open for a few minutes until we arrived. | "We'd been in our pyjamas watching a Disney film with the children - I didn't even change, so it was a bit embarrassing, but thankfully Gables stayed open for a few minutes until we arrived. |
"Willow seemed extremely timid the first night, but she jumped up on the bed and slept on my tummy all evening, so I'm sure she knew me." | "Willow seemed extremely timid the first night, but she jumped up on the bed and slept on my tummy all evening, so I'm sure she knew me." |
She said although her six-year-old daughter Izzy-May "vaguely" remembered Willow, the cat was a "delightful" new addition to the family for two-year-old Olivia-Rose. | She said although her six-year-old daughter Izzy-May "vaguely" remembered Willow, the cat was a "delightful" new addition to the family for two-year-old Olivia-Rose. |
"Willow's still a little bit nervous around children, but the girls have been helping to feed her and they've played with a ribbon with her." | "Willow's still a little bit nervous around children, but the girls have been helping to feed her and they've played with a ribbon with her." |
After the holidays, Mrs Worth plans to take Willow to the veterinary centre she was registered with before she disappeared for a "full MoT", but she is in no doubt the cat will pass with flying colours because of the care she has received since she was found in Plymouth. | |
"I want to contact the family who looked after Willow so well for the past few months - she looks fantastic and I'll never be able to thank them enough," she added. | "I want to contact the family who looked after Willow so well for the past few months - she looks fantastic and I'll never be able to thank them enough," she added. |
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