Islander reunited with cat that went missing a decade ago

Thursday 17 October 2024

A woman has shared her joy of being reunited with her pet cat that went missing 10 years ago.

Jeff the cat was presumed missing in 2014 after she "managed to claw her way out" of her home at the top of Mont Felard.

"She shot off and that was the last I saw of her," said owner Claire Crinion.

Claire created posters and used social media to try raise awareness about her missing cat, but “nothing came of it”.

Pictured: Jeff now (left) compared to when she went missing in 2014 (right).

She moved to the UK in 2015, but updated Jeff's microchip details to ensure that she could still be contacted if the escaped feline was ever found.

When Claire moved back to Jersey in 2020, she had all but given up hope of ever being reunited with her furry friend.

But a surprise phone call earlier this week informed her that the elusive cat had been found safe and well – a decade after going missing.

Claire said that it’s “very nice to know she’s happy and healthy after all this time”.

Jeff had been taken to the vet by a concerned islander, and Claire's name had popped up when the cat's microchip was scanned.

Claire expressed her gratitude to Jean Faulk, the individual who got in touch to deliver the good news earlier this week.

“I don’t know how she did it, but she managed to track me down – even though I hadn’t updated my contact details,” said Claire.

Pictured: Claire shared the good news in a post on 'Jersey's Cat Community' Facebook group.

Dru Burdon, the founder of the Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group, is now the proud new owner of Jeff the cat.

Claire said: “She will be very well cared for, and safe and warm for the winter.”

In a post on social media, Claire wrote: "Safe to say, Jeff now has a home for life after being missing for 10 years!! And is happy now with Dru.

"She is in great condition, so if you have been looking out for Jeff for the last ten years – thank you for keeping her safe and well."

Claire hopes that by sharing her story, she will encourage other islanders to not lose hope of being reunited with their own missing pets.