Cats are naturally independent and curious creatures, just two of many reasons why they are one of the most popular pets in the UK and in the world! However, it’s these traits that can lead to the wandering off and becoming lost. Luckily cats have an amazing ability to roam far and still find their way home, but sometimes this isn’t the case and vet practices across the country are seeing an increase in ‘strays’ being brought in year on year.

Murfy was just two years old and a much-loved family member when he embarked on what was to be a pretty epic adventure. Murfy didn’t return home for his supper one evening which was unlike him, and despite calling local veterinary practices, putting up posters and placing ads in local press, his owners had almost given up hope of ever finding him. Until one day, 12 months later, they were contacted by the RSPCA who explained that he’d been brought in to them after being found begging for scraps from tables at a rural sports complex in the area.

Murfy’s owners never did find out how he managed to travel over 8 miles away from the family home and end up on the opposite side of Avon Gorge! What they do know however, is how their reunion with him was possible. When a ‘stray’ is brought in to a veterinary practice or branch of the RSPCA, scanning for a microchip is one first things to done. Luckily for Murfy, his owner had had him microchipped at 12 weeks old and kept her details up-to-date on the national microchipping database. Within two hours of being handed in, he was back home with his family.