Cat accidentally transported by van is reunited with owner

Gizzy, a black-and-white tom cat from Ardleen, was found by Purrfectly Feral Cat Rescue in Llangedwyn after a weeks-long search, which saw online appeals and CCTV checks.

Shelley Jones of Purrfectly Feral was contacted by Gizzy’s owners last month and was able to share the good news that the missing feline had finally been found.

Gizzy was seen climbing into the back of a van at his home in Arddleen and jumped out at a property near  Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain on April 9.

“We posted all over Facebook asking people to contact us with sightings, his owners also went door-knocking in the local area and put posters up,” said Shelley.

“We were getting calls and messages daily with sightings of Gizzy in and around all the local villages, unfortunately, none were confirmed other than the one in Penybont Llanerch Emrys, where he was caught on CCTV a week after he went missing.”

Shelley tried to map his movement and set up a humane trap to catch and bring him home.

“Our main concerns with his disappearance were the busy roads he may have attempted to cross or that he may not be seen as he was lost in such a rural area,” said Shelley.

“Unfortunately, all the sightings turned out to be either owned cats or one stray who has since moved into the rescue, where he has since been neutered and microchipped.”

However, Shelley had a stroke of luck on Monday (May 18) after she received a call from a lady describing a cat with Gizzy’s distinctive “tuxedo” markings.

“I went out straight away armed with my humane trap, cat carrier and lots of treats but unfortunately in the space of less than 30 minutes he had disappeared,” said Shelley.

“As I hadn't seen him myself, I couldn't be sure we were on Gizzy's tail, but I thought it would be worth setting a trap as this sighting seemed more positive than any of the others we had received.

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“The next day, fuelled by hunger, he ventured back into the building where we had set the trap and strolled inside.

“He was eventually found very close to where he had originally left the van, so he must have wandered so far and then gone back on himself.”

Shelley said tracking Gizzy down was “a massive joint effort” with communities sharing Facebook posts, printing posters and reporting any sightings, with his owner travelling miles knocking on doors.

However, Shelley has confirmed Gizzy is now doing well and has been reunited with his owners.

“He has understandably lost a bit of weight and rubbed the fur off his nose while trying to escape the trap, but other than that, he is thankfully fit and healthy and incredibly pleased to be home,” added Shelley.