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Missing cat reunited with family after 500 days

Jon Lockhart
BBC A mother and daughter, both with brown hair wearing glasses look at the camera. The mother is holding a black cat.BBC
Krissi Carre said the community effort to find Salem "warmed my heart."

A cat that went missing for over 18 months has been reunited with his family in Guernsey.

Salem escaped while his owners Krissi Carre and her Daughter Ionie moved house in June of last year.

He was identified through a Facebook initiative, and once captured was treated at the GSPCA for ticks and an ulcer found on his eye.

Ionie said Salem's return was "one of the happiest moments of my life."

On the right, a young girl with brown hair and glasses holds a black cat. On the left, a woman with brown hair and glasses strokes the cat. Both are looking and smiling at the cat.
Ionie said she "didn't stop crying" when Salem was returned home.

Krissi believed that Salem had managed to open a window on the first floor of the house and climb out.

The family had "not seen him ever since" despite looking for him.

She added it had been a "stressful time" and Salem had been returned "just in time for Ionie to do her GCSEs as she's been struggling with him gone."

When Salem was found and returned, she said it was "very emotional and I sobbed."

Krissi said that Salem's return was due to some "absolutely brilliant people" who she would "love forever" for getting him home.

Salem was posted on the Facebook initiative "Guernsey Lost and Found Pets" which spurred the search for the cat.

The initiative said they had "recovered over 450 cats in the last few years" with Salem being the 17th long lost cat found this year.

Guernsey Lost and Found Pets added they are "happy to help and provide advice for anyone with a lost cat."

The post on the page led to Allie Worman identifying Salem and capturing him.

A woman with short blonde hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a navy jacket and a blue staff lanyard.
Allie Worman said that she was "elated" when Salem's owner was identified

Worman said she suspected a cat was coming into her house after finding cat biscuits on the floor.

After contacting Guernsey Lost and Found Pets, she discovered the cat had no microchip and Salem was taken to the GSPCA where he was treated for his injuries.

Worman added she was glad to see a "happy ending" when Krissi was identified as Salem's owner and seeing him back with his family "who absolutely love him is so perfect."

A man with short dakr and grey hair smiles at the camera. He is wearing a black shirt and sunglasses on his head.
Steve Byrne said it was "wonderful" to see Salem reunited with his owners

Steve Byrne, manager of the GSCPA said it was hard to identify Salem's owner due to the lack of microchip.

He said the "really helpful post" on Guernsey Lost and Found Pet's Facebook page allowed them to locate Krissi.

Byrne said Guernsey has "one of the biggest density populations of cats per household anywhere in Europe."

Byrne said Salem's 18 month missing stint is "not an isolated case" and the GSPCA had found cats missing for "over 10 years."

Byrne added islanders should be mindful that "those cats wandering around are hopefully are owned by somebody" but if there is concern they should contact the GSPCA.

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