A cat named Tiggles has returned home after disappearing for five years, discovered just eight miles from her original residence. The short-haired tabby vanished from her owner Rachel Sutherland’s house in Kenfig Hill, Bridgend county, back in September 2020 when she was only eight months old.
Unexpected Phone Call Brings Joy
Rachel Sutherland, a restaurant manager, received a call from a veterinarian on Wednesday. She initially feared the worst, believing the news involved Tiggles’ death. Instead, she learned the cat had turned up in the nearby area of Brackla and was prepared for reunion. “I just burst into tears,” Sutherland shared. The veterinarian had assumed the feline had only been missing for a day or two, unaware of the full timeline.
Family’s Tireless Search
Following Tiggles’ disappearance, the family conducted an extensive search, canvassing neighborhoods for months. “I didn’t know if she had fallen asleep on someone’s car or had lost her bearings or whether someone had taken a fancy to her,” Sutherland explained. Cats often wander to nearby homes, she noted. The family also worried about potential encounters with wildlife like badgers or foxes.
Children’s Intuitive Guess
When Sutherland informed her children, 12-year-old Aidan and six-year-old Emily, about a surprise, they immediately suspected it involved Tiggles. “I don’t know how,” their mother remarked, expressing astonishment at their intuition.
Condition and Future Hopes
Now six years old, Tiggles appears to have been well cared for during her absence, with no scratches or marks and fur in excellent condition. However, she has sustained an injury affecting her back legs, limiting her mobility. Sutherland anticipates a smooth reintegration with the household’s other pets, two ginger tabbies named Ginger and Ninja. “I’m hoping she does not escape again; we would like her to be part of the family,” she said.
