A mystery black cat has been given a reprieve from being put down after hundreds of Nottinghamshire people donated cash towards its care.
The black feline has been staying at Ruddington Vets after it was found in Wilford, although it is also thought to have lived in Beeston.
The cat was found by one of the surgery’s clients who dropped it off there two weeks ago.
Vets discovered the cat has a microchip which is registered to an address in Poland, but no-one has yet claimed him.
The cat has to go into an expensive quarantine period, which for some stray animals eventually means being put down if no-one pays for their upkeep.
But staff put the cat’s story on Facebook and set up an online donations page – and got a remarkable response.
Jane Mclachlan, non-clinical practice director, said: “This is the first time this has happened, to get a cat which has another country’s chip in it, still be active and registered, it is a unique situation for us.
“We have set up a GoFund me page to help towards the fees of the quarantine, once he’s cleared of the quarantine and has a valid passport issued we will then be able to re-home him.”
By 5pm on Wednesday, more than £600 had been donated to the page – covering the cost of the pet’s quarantine.
The surgery has since had calls from around the world offering to re-home the cat but they are hoping to find him a home in the local area.
Video: Jane Mclachlan from Ruddington Vets is appealing for the mystery cat to be given a new home
Sarah Riddley, from Nottinghamshire Trading Standards, said: “Ruddington Vets contacted us for advice on a stray cat that had a Polish microchip so they were unclear whether the cat had been illegally imported into the country.
“We outlined the various options for a potentially illegally imported animal, including placing the cat into quarantine until the required vaccines take hold, and we were told by the vets that they would be putting the cat into quarantine following our advice.”
Picture: The cat was taken to a Nottinghamshire quarantine centre today
Maureen Adams, of Calagran Four Paws Hotel and Quarantine, near Chesterfield, said: “The cat will come into quarantine for three weeks and will be examined today.
“He will be given a rabies vaccination and then monitored whilst he is with us in case any symptoms appear and after that he will be released from the quarantine and go back to the vets.”
Money can donated to the vets GoFund me page or if you have any information about the cat’s owner you can contact Ruddington Vets by ringing 0115 9212155.
Video: The lost cat being collected for quarantine
