Doncaster vet reunites cat missing for four years with owners

Caitlin Ashmore from Arundell Vets with Bob and his owner Nadine Graham

A cat has been reunited with his owners four years after going missing.

Bob was taken to a vet after he was found wandering around Kirk Sandall, in Doncaster, earlier this month.

Staff at Arundell Vets used the five-year-old's identity chip to trace his owners, Nadine and Russ Graham, who lived seven miles away.

Mrs Graham said: "When I picked him up at the practice he was exactly as he was and suckled my hand like he used to as a kitten."

Bob has also been reunited with his sister, Luna, who had pined for him when he first went astray.

Mrs Graham said: "He's very happy, he's getting fed.

"He's fatter than a normal cat now, that's me overindulging him because I don't want him to go anywhere."

'A lovely happy ending'

The family put up posters and searched for months when Bob first went missing.

Christina Groves from Arundell Vets said: "This is a lovely happy ending for Bob and his owners as well as for our team.

"Half the cats brought to us as strays are not microchipped, or the details are not up to date, which means we can't contact the owner."

Stray cats whose owners cannot be found are taken to a rescue centre to be rehomed, Ms Groves said.

Microchipping will become compulsory for all cats over the age of 20 weeks in England from June 2024.

Owners could be fined up to £500 if they do not comply with the new law.