Family from Forres seek answers on pet cat's disappearance 11 years ago after 'shock' reunion

A FAMILY from Forres say they are in "disbelief" after being reunited with a pet cat they had lost 11 years ago.

Fergus was found at a recycling centre in Aberdeen recently by Cats Protection. After checking the curious cat for a chip, the charity found that his owners lived some 80 miles away in Moray.

Owner Fiona Mutter was shocked when she received a phone call at lunch time on January 22 asking to come pick up a cat she thought was long gone.

She said: "I don't think it quite registered at first. It took us a moment to remember Fergus but when they sent us the photo we knew straight away.

"It still hasn't sunk in really. On the Saturday we had a few plans then before we knew it we were off to pick up a cat we thought we'd never see again."

Now reunited, Fiona and the family say they are keen to piece together the adventurous tabby's whereabouts over the past decade.

She said: "I really wish he could talk to tell us where he's been over the past 10 or so years.

"Even if his microchip had a GPS or something so we could get an idea because we just have no clue.

"Someone has definitely been looking after him. He's been well fed and he's healthy.

"He certainly knows that he wants to sleep in a proper bed and not a cat bed.

"I have no idea what's happened or how he then ended up at the recycling centre but I would love to piece that together."

Fergus went missing in late 2010 after he had been let outside. The family looked for him but eventually had to accept that he was gone when their search proved unsuccessful.

Now 14, Fiona says Fergus has taken no time at all to settle back into the household despite the presence of the family's other cat, Ozzy.

Fiona added: "He's ruling the roost already. He's an old man now but he's settled in perfectly. He's had no issue.

"I honestly can't say whether he remembers us or not but it's amazing that he's back."