Snowy's owner Shelley had given up hope of seeing the 10-year-old rescue moggie again after he had been missing for four months.
"I was shocked and delighted when Port Phillip Council called me. I've asked Snowy what he did while he was away but I haven't had an answer yet," she joked. "He's always been a very independent regal character with a bit of an air."
Snowy disappeared after slipping out the cat door and into the night. He is scared of loud noises which may have caused him to run and become lost.
Our Council's animal management team was contacted by a caring Port Melbourne resident who had been feeding Snowy after he turned up hungry and skinny. When the officers offered to provide a cat trap to retrieve the freeloading feline, the resident assured him they could simply scoop him up when he timed a feed with their visit. Snowy was then scanned and his ownership identified through his microchip.
Shelley remains intrigued how he made it to Port Melbourne as it can be a circuitous route of about 13 km involving the West Gate Bridge or a punt from Spotswood.
She was unsurprised Snowy was easily distracted with food. "He'll eat anything continuously if he could." Safely back home, Snowy is enjoying lots of cuddles, chicken treats and his favourite napping spots.
Shelley wanted to share her story to promote the benefits of microchipping when a pet goes missing.
Closer to home, our Council also requires all Port Phillip cats and dogs to wear their unique Council-issued registration tag, which helps return lost pets to their owners as quickly as possible. If your pet's registration tag is lost or damaged, a new one (at no cost) can be obtained by lodging a request via My Port Phillip or by calling us on 9209 6777.
It's also a good idea for your pet to wear a separate ID tag with its name and your phone number and address so neighbours and passers-by can easily return your pet if it escapes from your property.
Happy reunions are always the aim and we're delighted Snowy is back where he belongs.
