Long misplaced cat got here again to proprietor to die after being lacking for 14 years
A long lost cat was reunited with her owner after a staggering 14 years. The beloved pet had vanished from her home in Maida Vale, west London, back in 2010, leaving her owner, Vivien Tarlton, heartbroken.
Despite an extensive search that included posters, leaflets, and even the assistance of a psychic, Charlotte remained missing. However, Vivien “never lost hope” of seeing her feline friend again.
Earlier this month, her dreams came true when she received a call from the RSPCA informing her that Charlotte had been found six miles away in Lambeth, south London. The now 20-year-old cat had been living a “semi-feral” life but had been cared for by a local resident in recent years.
When the resident noticed Charlotte’s health declining, they contacted the RSPCA. Inspector Jade Guthrie collected Charlotte and, thanks to a microchip implanted years ago, managed to reunite her with Vivien.
Sadly, due to her deteriorating health, the happy reunion was short-lived.
Devastated owner Vivien reunited with her long-lost and now elderly feline friend after a lifetime of wander. Her joy quickly turned bittersweet as she’s left cherishing her final days with the tomcat that went from feral to family again thanks to the RSPCA’s intervention.
Lapping up two weeks of love, Vivien expressed heartfelt gratitude for the precious moments spent with her beloved pet, saying: “I’ve gone from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, but the 16 days Charlotte was with me was lovely.”
Describing the surprising journey of Charlotte, she added: “She was home and safe – although I suspected her time with me might be short.”
Vivien reminisced about her once feral companion: “When she lived with me, she was quite feral. But it is still amazing that she managed to get to the other side of London and had someone feeding her there.”
She smiled at the thought that Charlotte might have hopped on public transport: “She must have jumped on a bus as it is quite a distance.”
Reflecting on their bond, she continued: “I never gave up hope of seeing her again as she was an amazing little cat.”
After Charlotte disappeared, she held onto her legacy through two kittens: “When she disappeared, I kept two of her kittens. Holly died in 2019, but Harley is still with me.”
For Vivien, time has always been precious: “It was only recently that I was wondering where Charlotte had ended up – after realising she would be 20 or 21 years old now.”
The truth about Charlotte’s adventures became real: “I needed to know what happened to her and I’m so grateful to the lady who called the RSPCA,” she acknowledged. However, there’s a sting in the tail for Vivien as she said: “But I am devastated as Charlotte was on this planet for 20 years – yet she was with me only for five years.”
RSPCA inspector Guthrie said that when Charlotte was rescued she was in very poor health – barely able to walk and suffering with a large clump of matted fur on her back.
“It looks like the cat was living feral for a long time and was ‘looked after’ for years by our caller who thought she was a stray,” she said.
She added, “It was only recently that her health took a dip and when we got the call, it was a surprise to find that she was microchipped.”
Going on to share the heartwarming reunion, Ms Guthrie said, “After an emotional phone call I returned Charlotte to her old owner [Vivien] who was delighted as she’d never given up hope that she would see her cat again.”
Highlighting the importance of microchipping, Ms Guthrie also noted that thanks to Charlotte being chipped, she was able to be reunited with Vivien, reminding owners of the impending June 2024 law requiring cats to be microchipped from 20 weeks of age.
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