Cat that went missing from her owner found alive 14 years later

A cat that went missing from her owner 14 years ago has been found alive after living a 'semi-feral' existence.

Pet Charlotte disappeared from her home in Maida Vale, west London, back in 2010 - much to the despair of her devoted owner Vivien Tarlton, 66.

Ms Tarlton searched everywhere for the cat, putting posters on trees, and sticking leaflets through front doors.

In her desperation, she even asked for a psychic to help find her but the trail went cold.

But earlier this month her dreams finally came true when she received a call from the RSPCA.

She was told Charlotte was alive and had been found six miles away in Lambeth, south London.

She said: 'I never gave up hope of seeing her again as she was an amazing little cat.

'When she disappeared, I kept two of her kittens. Holly died in 2019, but Harley is still with me.'

When she got the call telling her the cat had been found, RSPCA officers explained how Charlotte, now aged 20, had been living a 'semi-feral' existence in the borough - although in recent years she had been fed by a local resident.

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But they had noticed Charlotte's health decline as she aged - which prompted her to contact the animal welfare charity.

RSPCA inspector Jade Guthrie collected the cat and managed to find she belonged to Ms Tarlton via the microchip.

Soon, Charlotte was reunited with her owner and the feline was even able to spend time with her son Harley - one of a litter of six she gave birth to just a month before she vanished in 2010.

Unfortunately the cat's health had deteriorated, meaning the reunion did not last for very long.

Ms Tarlton was advised by her vet that the prognosis for Charlotte was poor - and that the kindest course of action was to put her to sleep.

Knowing the clock was ticking, Charlotte was showered with love during the last two weeks of her life - and Ms Tarlton now says she is extremely grateful to the caller and the RSPCA for making that possible.

She said: 'I've gone from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, but the 16 days Charlotte was with me was lovely.

'She was home and safe - although I suspected her time with me might be short.

'When she lived with me, she was quite feral. But it is still amazing that she managed to get to the other side of London and had someone feeding her there.

'She must have jumped on a bus as it is quite a distance.'

Ms Tarlton said it was only recently that she was wondering where Charlotte had ended up - after realising she would be 20 or 21 years old now.

'I needed to know what happened to her and I'm so grateful to the lady who called the RSPCA,' Vivien said.

'But I am devastated as Charlotte was on this planet for 20 years - yet she was with me only for five years.'

RSPCA inspector Guthrie said that when Charlotte was rescued she was in very poor health - barely able to walk and suffering with a large clump of matted fur on her back.

Ms Guthrie said: 'It looks like the cat was living feral for a long time and was 'looked after' for years by our caller who thought she was a stray.

'It was only recently that her health took a dip and when we got the call, it was a surprise to find that she was microchipped.

'After an emotional phone call, I returned Charlotte to her old owner [Ms Tarlton] who was delighted as she'd never given up hope that she would see her cat again.'

Ms Guthrie also stressed that Charlotte was only reunited with Ms Tarlton because she was microchipped - and reminded owners that from June 2024 it became a legal requirement for cats to be microchipped from 20 weeks of age.

The RSPCA says there are always difficulties determining whether a cat is a stray or not - as cats naturally roam.

But usually things like a feline's health, weight, general appearance, and whether it's 'hanging around crying for food' are good indicators.

The RSPCA tries to rehome as many cats as possible but sadly there are more cats than adopters.

Therefore, at the start of October, the charity launched its 'Adoptober' campaign - after revealing there is a rehoming crisis across England and Wales, with most centres at full capacity.

The Adoptober rehoming campaign is urging animal lovers to adopt a pet from an RSPCA branch or local rescue centre- rather than buying from a breeder.