An Tayside woman has urged people to report lost animals promptly after her cat died following four months on the run.
Elizabeth Keillor was left heartbroken when seven-year-old Paddy failed to return to her home in Carnoustie in September.
He was eventually found at Ahsludie Grange in Monifieth, starving and with matted fur, shortly after New Year.
Elizabeth said he was apparently being fed by builders working on new houses but when they left for Christmas, Paddy was left with no food in bitterly cold weather.
She said despite putting up “missing” posters all over Tayside, no one who saw Paddy wandering the streets alerted her.
The cat eventually had to be put down as he suffered two strokes and a fit due to his poor condition.
Elizabeth now wants to raise awareness of the importance of reporting lost pets to prevent a similar situation happening to someone else.
She explained: “One night in September Paddy went out and when we woke up he still wasn’t back.
“It was very unusual as he normally didn’t go far. We put up posters, posted on Facebook and went out looking for him.
“I have no idea how he got to Monifieth – perhaps he jumped in the back of a van.”
Elizabeth and her husband Ronald never gave up looking for Paddy but said that after a while they started to lose hope.
It was only when Elizabeth’s sister saw a photo of him on Facebook group Missing Pets Dundee and Angus that the cat was finally reunited with his family.
Their joy did not last long as Paddy had to be handed over to a vet and put on a drip to recover from his misadventure.
Elizabeth added: “He worsened that night and the vet called me asking for permission to put him to sleep. He could barely walk.
“At least it gave us closure. I’m just shocked that no one thought to call the SSPCA, despite people feeding him.
“I want to prevent this happening to others.”
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said the organisation would not pick up healthy stray cats but would intervene if there is a welfare issue.
He added: “This is very unfortunate and we are very sorry to hear about the cat.
“It sounds like the cat was in poor condition when it was found.
“If anyone sees a cat, or any animal, that looks to have health issues or appears to be in distress, please contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
“The Scottish SPCA will not pick up a stray cat due to their roaming nature.
“We will only attend if there is a welfare concern, as in this case.”
