Missing Southsea cat reunited with family after 5 years missing thanks to microchip

Long-haired Rosie went missing five years ago from the family home in Southsea she had lived in since she was a kitten, but her owners did not give up hope.

Over the years, they kept updating the address and contact information on their beloved pet’s microchip, meaning a Portsmouth rescue organisation could reunite the feline with her family.

A volunteer from Second Chance Portsmouth Cats found Rosie and gained her trust outside Roslyn House in Elm Grove, a mere five-minute walk away from the cat’s old home in The Thicket.

Co-ordinator Janeen Davis was pleased to see Rosie reunited with her previous owners.

Although it is not a legal requirement to have cats microchipped like it is for dogs, the organisation is encouraging owners to get their cats microchipped and make sure to register their details with the microchip company.

Janeen, who has 10 well-loved cats of her own, said: ‘It was a jolly good team effort. It’s a good result, we don’t always come away with big smiles on our faces.

‘For as many cats we pick up that are registered, we pick up many who don’t have their details registered.

‘If your cat gets lost it can be reunited, but the information has to be kept up to date.’

Second Chance Portsmouth Cats rehomed 272 pets last year, and services it offers include rehoming, fostering, neutering and spaying of animals, as well as offering to pay vet bills for elderly cats who find a loving retirement home.

Janeen added: ‘We find forever homes for amazing animals, some cats have suffered greatly and we gain their trust and find them a forever home.

‘It’s just a reward in itself. We’ll go for miles to find a decent home for a cat.’

Each cat rehomed by the volunteers is microchipped before leaving their care, however new owners must take on the responsibility of registering the chip to themselves and keeping it updated.

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