Missing cat with leg injury reunited with family in Aberdeen after two year countryside adventure

A cat who disappeared into the countryside over two years ago has been reunited with his family in Aberdeen.

Long-lost pet Spot disappeared from her home in 2023, leaving her family “heartbroken”.

Unbeknownst to them, Spot had been making her way around the countryside, surviving on her own for two years.

But in a surprising turn of events in February, a member of the public found Spot with a leg injury and called the Scottish SPCA helpline.

During a routine check, staff discovered Spot was microchipped, with her family’s contact details still up to date.

Within hours, Spot and her family were able to enjoy a heartfelt reunion two years in the making.

However, the feline had suffered a leg injury during her travels, resulting in the amputation of one of her rear legs.

Her family said that she is recovering well at home and living a happy life.

Her family shared: “She’s doing great and absolutely loving being back home. She’s coping well and is now living a happy life as a house cat.”

Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Lynn Cruickshank said: “This is exactly why we always encourage pet owners to microchip their animals and keep their contact details current.

“Spot’s story could have ended very differently if she wasn’t microchipped. Thanks to that small chip, she’s now back where she belongs.”

The family also organised a fundraising event to support her treatment and contributed a generous donation to the charity.

Director of innovation and strategic relations, Gilly Mendes Ferreira said: “We believe it should be mandatory to microchip cats not just dogs and any other animal where it is deemed appropriate. We also believe that there should be one national microchipping database.

“Due to the roaming nature of cats, they can get lost, be mistaken for strays or return to another area after moving house, where other people may take them in. Mandatory microchipping would help identify owners and keep people and their pets together.

“Scotland needs to implement this to stop owner disputes, cat theft and to help identify negligent owners.

“The Scottish SPCA is actively promoting the benefits of microchipping cats and encouraging owners to get their pet’s microchipped.

“While it’s not yet a legal requirement for cats in Scotland, we strongly recommend it for the safety and well-being of cats.

We include microchipping as a standard procedure before rehoming cats

“We include microchipping as a standard procedure before rehoming cats and provide information on the importance of keeping contact details up to date.”