Owners must be looking for this escapologist kitty!

Cork Cat got in a van and went all the way to Athlone(Image: SM)

A Vet in Co. Westmeath has taken to social media to try and reunite a hitch-hiking cat with his family, who are believed to be in Cork.

Vet Lyndsey Kelly Dermody (Facebook page and contact details here) is hoping the power of social media can help end the mystery of the kitty who hopped in a van in Cork, went three hours and 250km to Athlone, escaped again and was then found three weeks later running around a SuperValu, 6km where it jumped out of the vehicle.

The black and white cat is now in her vets in Co. Wesmeath, and any help that Leesiders can give in tracing the owners will be greatly appreciated. The appeal has already been posted to the fabulous Munster Lost & Found Helpline Facebook Page – but all help in spreading the word will be welcome.

Cork Cat?

Posting to social media, Lyndsey said: “This is a bit of a mad one so bare with me!”

Long story as short as possible… I work in a vets in Athlone, co. Westmeath.

Back in June a man contacted me, he was working in cork and a cat travelled back with him in his van, he has no idea where the cat got in but the only times the van was open were in cork until he got to Athlone.

Now I told him leave the cat in the van and come into us and we’ll get him out securely, but instead he felt sorry for him as it was hot that day and tried get him out himself and he ran away on him.

Fast forward to 3 weeks ago someone posted an identical cat hanging around at the SuperValu here in Athlone about 6km away from where he ran from the van.

I managed to catch him today and I have him secured in our vets, the cats are absolutely identical I’m pretty sure it’s the same cat. He is not microchipped and not neutered. And no one locally here seems to know who he is and no owner has came forward.

I would love if he is the same cat and that he could be reunited back to cork, he is super friendly and affectionate someone has to be missing him.”

So – if you recognise this wandering moggie – or can share this story to your own socials to spread the word – Lyndsey (and the cat’s family, we are sure) will be very grateful!