A beloved family cat has been reunited with her owners two years after going missing—thanks to the simple but life-changing power of a microchip.
A beloved family cat has been reunited with her owners two years after going missing—thanks to the simple but life-changing power of a microchip.
Spot the cat disappeared from her home in Aberdeen in 2023, leaving her family heartbroken. Unbeknown to them, Spot had been making her way around the countryside, surviving on her own for two years.
In February, a member of the public found Spot with a leg injury and called the Scottish SPCA helpline. During a routine check, staff discovered Spot was microchipped— with her family’s contact details still up to date.
Within hours, Scottish SPCA staff were in touch with her owners, leading to a heartfelt reunion two years in the making.
Microchipping is the most effective way to identify a lost pet
June is National Microchipping Month, a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of keeping pet microchip information current. Microchipping is the most effective way to identify a lost pet and increases the chances of reuniting with their owner.
Scottish SPCA Animal Rescue Officer Lynn Cruickshank said: “This is exactly why we always encourage pet owners to microchip their animals and keep their contact details current.
Spot’s story could have ended very differently if she wasn’t microchipped.
“Spot’s story could have ended very differently if she wasn’t microchipped. Thanks to that small chip, she’s now back where she belongs.”
Spot has since received veterinary care, which included the amputation of one of her rear legs. Despite this, she is recovering well at home and adjusting brilliantly to life on three legs.
She’s coping well and is now living a happy life
Her family shared: “She’s doing great and absolutely loving being back home. She’s coping well and is now living a happy life as a house cat.”
The family also organised a fundraising event to support her treatment and contributed a generous donation to the charity.
Microchipping is a quick and painless procedure that can make a life-changing difference.
We believe is should be mandatory to microchip cats
Director of Innovation and Strategic Relations, Gilly Mendes Ferreira said: “We believe it should be mandatory to microchip cats not just dogs and any other animal where it is deemed appropriate. We also believe that there should be one national microchipping database.
“Due to the roaming nature of cats, they can get lost, be mistaken for strays or return to another area after moving house, where other people may take them in. Mandatory microchipping would help identify owners and keep people and their pets together.
“Scotland needs to implement this to stop owner disputes, cat theft and to help identify negligent owners.
“The Scottish SPCA is actively promoting the benefits of microchipping cats and encouraging owners to get their pet’s microchipped.
“While it’s not yet a legal requirement for cats in Scotland, we strongly recommend it for the safety and well-being of cats.
We include microchipping as a standard procedure before rehoming cats
“We include microchipping as a standard procedure before rehoming cats and provide information on the importance of keeping contact details up to date.”
If you’ve moved house or changed your contact details, now is the perfect time to check and update your pet’s microchip information. More information can be found on our website.
