Cat missing in Penarth is reunited with owner in time for Christmas

The cat - dubbed Tinsel by rescuers - was found in Penarth by the RSPCA Wyth Sir Branch with an injured leg and was considered a stray after going missing in September.

The injured cat was taken to the vet by a member of the public where she remained for seven days while posters were put up in the area where she was found – to see if the owner would come forward for her.

RSPCA Wyth Sir Branch animal welfare officer, Jamie Rodrigues said: “She is a lovely friendly cat so we knew it wouldn't be long before she found a home. 

“Three weeks later we had a call from the RSPCA inspectorate explaining a member of the public had been in touch and he thought Tinsel was his cat.”

Safi (Tinsel) Reunited with owner in time for Christmas. Picture: RSPCA Cymru (Image: RSPCA Cymru)Nicholas White came forward to claim he was her owner by sending pictures of Tinsel - actually named Safi - and was reunited with his pet in time for Christmas.

Ms Rodriques added: “It seemed she had only strayed a few streets away from where she lived. We were happy to reunite the two in time for Christmas.

“Tinsel - who is called Safi - was very happy to see her beloved owner and jumped straight up on his lap making biscuits.”

Safi was discovered without a microchip which has now been added, and Ms Rodriques wants to stress the importance of microchipping.

She added: “If she had been chipped, she wouldn't have come into us and would have been immediately returned to her worried owner.

"Microchipping can certainly offer pet owners peace of mind. The microchip can be scanned and matched to the owner’s contact details which are kept on a database. "

Ms Rodriques urges owners to update details if they have changed address or telephone number.

“If an owner moves house or changes their telephone number, they must also make sure that they tell the database they are registered with so that they have up-to-date contact details," she said.

“If the information on that database is old and out-of-date then the chip is useless. Telling your vet does not automatically update the details on the database but this is something you can do yourself online.”

RSPCA Cymru is currently calling on the Welsh Government to commit to the compulsory microchipping of cats - as England will see compulsory microchipping for cats which will be introduced March.