Family in holiday spirits after Patch returns

A FAMILY who spent weeks hunting for their missing cat were "ecstatic" when he strolled through the door the day before they left for holiday.

By The Newsroom

Published 12th Aug 2010, 16:16 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:07 BST

Geraldine Whiley, of Riders Bolt, and her two children visited The Observer on Monday for a last-ditch appeal to readers after Patch, their 14-month grey tabby, went missing on Tuesday, July 27.

Patch (left) is particularly special because he was found behind the garden water butt by Geraldine's aunt, Dolly, who died recently aged 62 after a battle with cancer.

"We're ecstatic," said Geraldine, who reported Patch's arrival on Tuesday - two weeks to the day since he disappeared.

"We were packing to go away when my son called out, It's Patch! and brought him upstairs.

"He looks a lot thinner, but was so pleased to see us. We think he may have been trapped somewhere, and only been able to free himself when the food ran out."