Boots the playful ginger Tom is enjoying his happiest Christmas ever after being reunited with his loving owners – more than seven years after getting lost, all thanks to the power of microchipping.
Mary-Ann Lloyd and her family wept tears of joy when the RSPCA brought their mischievous moggie back to them in time for the festive season.
They were heartbroken when Boots disappeared from their Birmingham home in 2017, and, after moving a few miles away, were convinced they would never see him again.
But, sensibly, Mary-Ann had Boots and his sister Misty microchipped when she rescued them as kittens – meaning when the RSPCA found him and scanned for a chip, they could find her contact details and reunite them
Mary-Ann said: “‘We just couldn’t believe it was him, back after seven and a half years. We had been through such real heartbreak and so we’re just so happy to have him back.
Microchipping for owned cats has been a legal requirement in England since June this year – and the RSPCA says the quick and easy procedure helps countless cats be reunited with their owners if they get lost.
Trouble-prone Boots actually hadn’t gone far in all those years – hanging around his family’s former neighbourhood where kindly residents fed him without knowing who he belonged to.
Last September, Boots was reported to the RSPCA after one of his regular feeders moved away, leaving him that bit hungrier.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Lidia went to see if she could help but Boots was too nervous to allow her near him.
With the co-operation of neighbours, Lidia was able to get him safely into a humane trap, and was delighted to discover contact details when she scanned him for a chip, all because Boots’ owners had responsibly had him microchipped.
She rang Boots’ family on the telephone number logged on the chip and was able to deliver the wonderful news that their pet was alive, well and ready to come home – more than 2,500 days since they had last seen each other!
Mary-Ann said Boots had settled in immediately with her, partner David and children Ethan, now 19, Mary-Jayne, nine, and Elouise, seven.
Now nine years old, he has also bonded again with his sister Misty, and Mary-Ann’s two other cats, Maine Coons Bruno and Raymond, who came after Boots vanished.
“We really, really appreciate what the RSPCA has done for us. We can never be more grateful. You never imagine you will get that call.”’
Mary-Ann said Boots had a habit of getting into bother before he disappeared and once got stuck up a towering conifer tree.
When he vanished, the family launched the usual desperate search, making door to door inquiries and putting up posters in the street.
But they heard nothing and feared that he may have been killed. However, when they moved, they made sure the microchip company had their new details.
Her partner David took the call from Lidia then relayed the good news to Mary-Ann straight away.
‘You always have that little bit of hope,’ Mary-Ann said. ‘But you never really think that you’re going to see them again.’
At the time Boots disappeared, Mary-Ann was pregnant with her youngest daughter Elouise, Mary-Jayne was two, and Ethan just 12.
‘Boots was Ethan’s cat, so he was especially glad to see him. My youngest had never met him and my middle daughter was just two when he got lost.’It’s wonderful,’ Mary-Ann said. ‘It’s like he’s never been away. When he came home and I fed him, he just started purring really loudly.
“The other cats just accepted him straight away and he’s claimed the best spot next to the Christmas tree.
Mary-Ann texted her thanks to Lidia, saying: “Boots has settled in brilliantly, it’s like he never left. I think I’m still in shock and so so grateful to you! Boots was reunited with his sister and she definitely remembered him. Thanks again, you have made my Christmas xx”
Lidia said: ‘It’s very rare to reunite a lost cat with its owner after so many years. It was a beautiful moment.
‘He wouldn’t let anyone near him but as soon as I got him back to his owners, Mary-Ann and Ethan, you could tell he knew them and was comfortable with them.
‘It was so emotional. They were both crying and I cried a little bit as well, but I told them “it’s okay to cry!”
“This rescue was only possible thanks to the microchip – and Boots’ responsible owners keeping those details up to date. Since June, it’s been a legal requirement for cats in England to be microchipped – and Boots’ amazing story is a reminder as to why this straightforward procedure is so important for felines.”
The RSPCA is a passionate advocate for pet microchipping as a responsible way of ensuring lost, stolen or injured cats can be returned to their owner.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We all want the best for our cats and so – as we strive to create a better world for every kind – we’d urge owners who haven’t got their cat microchipped yet to contact their vet to book an appointment.
“Since 10 June, it has been compulsory for all owned cats aged over 20 weeks to be microchipped or owners could face a hefty fine. Owners are also required to keep their contact details up-to-date on a pet microchipping database.”
