Erwin Schrödinger may not have owned a cat, but he had an understanding of the intense emotions that can arise when one goes missing. A lost cat exists in a state of uncertainty, simultaneously dead and alive, trapped in limbo. This thought experiment is not unfamiliar to the countless pet owners in the UK who have experienced the disappearance of their feline companions.
According to research conducted by Admiral Pet Insurance, over 250,000 cats are currently unaccounted for in the UK, with a cat going missing every three seconds. When we consider the multitude of other animals that also go missing each year, such as dogs, birds, and rabbits, it’s likely that there are over a million wandering or lost animals at any given time in Britain.
Fortunately, many lost pets are quickly found, seeking refuge in a neighbor’s home or enjoying an extended game of hide-and-seek in the park. However, there are those that remain lost for months on end. The search for a missing pet often begins with a printed poster affixed to a local postbox. These posters, filled with heartfelt pleas for the safe return of a beloved animal, tug at the heartstrings of all who encounter them.
Despite the passing of time, pet owners rarely give up hope. In today’s digital age, the search for missing pets extends beyond physical posters. Social media platforms are flooded with images and posts about lost animals. Some owners turn to dedicated services like Animal Search UK, the nation’s largest database for missing pets. This organization has been reuniting owners with their pets since 1999 and recently took over the lost-and-found service previously provided by the RSPCA. Pet owners can pre-register their pets on this database, allowing for a swift search process in the unfortunate event that their pet goes missing.
When a missing pet is registered, the database utilizes keywords to identify potential matches, and owners are promptly notified. Animal Search UK also offers an advertising service, ranging from targeted social media campaigns to nationwide press efforts. They even have a team of experts equipped with advanced tools like thermal imaging cameras and microchip scanners.
Saqqara Richards, a communications officer at Animal Search UK, emphasizes that their primary role is to provide support for individuals going through the distress of losing a pet. Open 24/7, the organization serves as a comforting voice on the other end of the line, motivating people to search for their pets while offering empathy during this difficult time.
Losing a pet is undeniably terrifying, and the impact can be monumental. Dawn Murray, a prominent pet-bereavement counselor, describes the experience as a type of loss known as ambiguous loss. The uncertainty and lack of closure that come with not knowing the fate of a beloved pet can be incredibly distressing for humans.
Part of the healing process often involves joining a community of fellow pet owners who are also searching for their missing companions. Animal Search UK’s network includes 86,000 pet watchers, many of whom have experienced their own heartbreaking losses. These individuals actively search for lost pets or remain vigilant, keeping an eye out for any sightings. For Murray, this community involvement serves as a means of finding meaning in the loss and redirecting grief towards positive actions.
Sometimes, there is a happy ending, as lost pets are found months, years, or even decades after disappearing. However, this can bring about its own set of complications. Questions arise about whether one still wants a pet, if the found pet will get along with any new additions to the family, or if the financial implications can be managed. Nevertheless, the overwhelming feeling when a missing pet is found is pure joy. Unlike a missing person who is found, owners are often left to wonder about the adventures their pets embarked on during their absence, piecing together clues from changes in behavior or physical appearance. For those pets that are yet to return home, there is still hope for a happy outcome. Thousands of animals are currently living their own secret adventures while lost, forging new lives beyond their owners’ reach.
[‘Smudge remembered his name after seven years’: Aimee and Smudge the cat]
In 2015, when I was eight months pregnant, my cat Smudge went missing. He was microchipped, and I posted a lost and found notice on Facebook, hoping for any leads. Sadly, weeks turned into months, and there was no sign of him. However, last June, a kind-hearted man named Martyn Sams found a cat and posted on Facebook inquiring if anyone owned it. The cat looked thin, and Martyn planned to have it checked for a microchip. Something about the photo felt familiar, so I provided my information. It was indeed Smudge!
The moment I was reunited with him at the vet’s office, I was flooded with disbelief and joy. The staff informed me that Smudge had been hesitant to interact with anyone, but when I called out his name, he immediately recognized me and rushed over. It was a remarkable moment that left me humbled and questioning how a cat could remember its owner after seven years of separation. Though it may have been in my head, the connection felt undeniable.
To this day, I find it difficult to comprehend that Smudge was missing for a total of seven years, and I can only wonder where he had been during that time. He has regained his health and vitality, albeit with an insatiable appetite during the first two months after his return. Occasionally, he ventures outdoors, which can be slightly disconcerting, but he always comes back safely each night. This experience emphasized the vital importance of microchipping pets. Without the microchip and our names registered in databases, anyone could have claimed Smudge, and our reunion might never have happened.
[‘The snake disappeared through this tiny hole’: Jasmine and Mikey the snake]
Mikey, our corn snake, was quite an old fellow who had belonged to my wife Jo’s brother. He had just celebrated his 17th birthday, an impressive age for a corn snake. We adopted him during the Covid-19 pandemic while residing in Fallowfield, Manchester. Jo’s brother’s parents weren’t fond of the snake, so we provided a new home for him. We regularly handled Mikey, allowing him supervised explorations outside of his enclosure.
One fateful night, we were giving Mikey a bath to alleviate constipation. Snakes have a single internal tube for their bodily functions, and baths can help facilitate natural movement. Typically, Mikey enjoyed these bathing sessions, but that night, something was amiss. He immediately resisted and coiled himself around the bathroom pipes. Initially, we believed this would make it easier to untangle him gently. However, he found a minuscule crevice, barely larger than a small coin, leading to the basement. Unfortunately, he was too far inside for us to rescue him, and it was already late at night. We assumed he would eventually return.
Days passed, and we sought advice from an exotic pet store. They assured us that Mikey would be content in the basement, as it provided him with heat, water from leaks, and an ample supply of mice. This information relieved our worries.
Meanwhile, we were in the process of signing a lease for a new home. We were informed that Mikey would unlikely resurface and would probably pass away naturally in the basement. As he posed no danger, we proceeded with the move without disclosing Mikey’s whereabouts to the new tenants, as we didn’t want to cause unnecessary fear.
Six months later, by sheer chance, I found myself back in Fallowfield, sitting at a pub. As I scrolled through a local students’ group on my phone, I came across a post asking if anyone had lost a snake. The post was only 10 minutes old, and the description matched Mikey’s. I quickly reached out to the person and provided the necessary details.
Miraculously, it was indeed Mikey. The time that had passed didn’t seem real. I can only imagine the adventures he had during those six months. Despite his absence, he has returned to good health and regained his friendly nature. This unexpected twist made us appreciate the importance of ensuring our pets are microchipped. Without the information on Mikey’s microchip, this incredible reunion would never have occurred.
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