A heart-warming tale of a cat reunited with its owner after going missing for nearly 500 days highlights the importance of getting pets microchipped.

Cats Protection has launched a petition calling for microchipping to be made compulsory for owned cats in Scotland, as it already is for dogs. 

Ginger tomcat Frank was adopted as a kitten eight years ago after being found straying and surviving on scraps in Fort William. He would often take himself off on short adventures but when he failed to return in June 2025, his owner Joan, a vet, contacted Cats Protection Glasgow Branch for help.

Joan said: “When I adopted him, I had him microchipped so that he could always be traced back to us. I knew in my heart that he was out there somewhere, but none of the ginger cats that were being found turned out to be Frank.” 

But then came the call Joan had been hoping for. “A lady contacted Cats Protection to say her friend had been feeding a cat that matched Frank’s description. It had been coming to her garden for around six months but was quite skittish so she couldn’t get close. She noticed it was quite skinny so began to feed it and provided an outdoor house.”  

Cats Protection Glasgow provided a trap in the hope the cat would go inside and they could see if it was microchipped.

Kirsty Ayres, Cats Protection Glasgow Welfare Team Leader, said: “When we managed to get Frank inside the trap and scanned his microchip, we were delighted when we realised we had found him and could reunite him with Joan. As a supporting vet, Joan has gone above and beyond for the charity over the years so it felt like karma that we’d got him back for her. We wanted to make it a surprise and when I turned up at the surgery with a covered cage, she had no idea it was Frank inside.”

Joan added: “I lifted the cover, saw him and said his name in disbelief! As soon as he realised it was me, he cried and miaowed. I hugged the Cats Protection volunteer who had managed to trap him and scan the microchip that led him back to me. 

“We’d missed him so much and so had our other cat, Frank’s brother. Now Frank’s enjoying all the cuddles and scratches he’s missed whilst away on his adventure.” 

The UK’s largest cat charity says that microchipping gives lost or injured cats the best chance of being reunited with their owner. Without a registered microchip, it is extremely difficult to trace an owner, a problem the charity’s staff and volunteers see on an almost daily basis. 

Microchipping is a safe and permanent method of identification. Unlike collars, microchips do not come off or put cats at risk of collar-related injuries.

Cats Protection is calling on the Government to introduce compulsory microchipping in Scotland, following on from its successful campaign to make it a legal requirement in England, where it became law in 2024.

Alice Palombo, Advocacy & Government Relations Manager, said: “Cats are independent and curious creatures, prone to wandering, and they can become lost. Microchipping is the best way of ensuring these lost cats can be returned home.

“A microchip is also a valuable tool when cats are sadly run over and injured or killed on the roads as their families can be quickly informed.

“We are hopeful that, with public support, the Scottish Government will see the long-term benefits of compulsory microchipping for cats, people and animal welfare organisations and push forward with passing it into law.

To sign the petition calling on the Government to implement compulsory microchipping for cats visit action.cats.org.uk/MicrochippingScotland