Missing cat reunited with owner after 500 days thanks to microchip

By Animals Correspondent

A cat who disappeared from home for almost 500 days has finally been reunited with his delighted owner, thanks to a microchip that helped bring him back.

Ginger tomcat Frank went missing in June 2025, leaving his owner Joan wondering if she would ever see him again.

Adopted as a kitten eight years ago, Frank had been found straying in Fort William, where he was surviving on scraps. Although he was known for heading off on the occasional adventure, his failure to return home left Joan worried.

Despite searching for him, none of the ginger cats reported missing or found in the area turned out to be Frank.

But after more than a year, hope came in the form of a phone call to Cats Protection Glasgow.

A woman had got in touch after spotting a cat matching Frank's description in her friend's garden. He had been visiting for around six months and, although he was too nervous to approach, the friend had started leaving out food and providing him with an outdoor shelter.

Cats Protection arranged a humane trap so the cat could be safely caught and scanned for a microchip.

When the scan revealed it was Frank, the team knew they had found the missing pet.

Kirsty Ayres, Cats Protection Glasgow Welfare Team Leader, said the team were delighted to discover his identity and wanted to make his return home a surprise.

Joan, who is a vet and has supported the charity over the years, had no idea what was inside the covered cage when Kirsty arrived at her surgery.

She said: “I lifted the cover, saw him and said his name in disbelief! As soon as he realised it was me, he cried and miaowed.”

The reunion was an emotional one, with Joan admitting the family had missed Frank enormously – including his feline brother.

She added: “Now Frank's enjoying all the cuddles and scratches he's missed whilst away on his adventure.”

Frank's return has also highlighted just how important microchipping can be when pets go missing.

Cats Protection is now calling for microchipping to become compulsory for owned cats in Scotland, as it already is for dogs. The charity successfully campaigned for compulsory cat microchipping in England, where the law came into force in 2024.

The charity says a registered microchip gives lost or injured cats a much better chance of being identified and reunited with their owners. Unlike collars, which can fall off, a microchip provides permanent identification.

Alice Palombo, Advocacy and Government Relations Manager at Cats Protection, said cats were naturally curious and prone to wandering, making microchipping an important way of helping them find their way home.

The charity is encouraging people to support its campaign for compulsory microchipping in Scotland by signing its online petition.

For Joan, however, the most important thing is that Frank is finally back where he belongs – and making up for lost time with plenty of affection.