Jethro Heller’s cat Harry found after almost a month allegedly ‘held captive’

Jethro Heller’s cat Harry disappeared while he was on holiday in Bali. But cat-astrophe has been averted with Harry finally returned home.

A cat that mysteriously disappeared for 28 days and was later discovered to be allegedly “held captive” while its owner was on a holiday in Bali, has “escaped” and been returned home.

Local music and media identity Jethro Heller was told his nine-year-old orange tabby cat Harry, who has appeared on his TV show, was missing from his Kent Town home on October 7, when a neighbour who was house sitting went to feed him that morning.

“I never thought I’d see him again,” Mr Heller said.

“It absolutely broke my heart and I was so distressed.”

The 58-year-old had left for a holiday to Bali and on the third last day of his trip, Harry fell from the unit’s balcony and was allegedly taken “hostage” by nearby residents.

“I found out after all this time what happened … I can say with absolute certainty that nearby residents decided that they were going to keep him, and the moment he had his chance to escape he did.

“They had him the whole time and they’d actually rung me and teased me a couple of times with ‘Lost cat Harry? Meow’ and hung up the phone.”

Harry the cat has been found and returned home after being missing for almost a month. The first thing he did was hug his best friend Brutus the dog. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Harry’s lucky escape was witnessed by someone passing by, who spotted the cat running for the hot water service room and called Mr Heller.

“I was at a charity gig and got the phone call and I left immediately,” Mr Heller said.

“The first thing he did when he got back to the apartment was went and hugged the dog. He couldn’t wait to see Brutus, they’re just gorgeous together these two.”

Harry was a gift from Mr Heller’s partner, Amanda ‘Mandi’ Rogers, nine years ago and has become “his whole world” and “only remaining family” after her death last year.

Mr Heller produces a show on Channel 44 called Jethro Heller: Tales of a City, which won an Antenna Award in 2019 for Best Factual program, and his pets feature regularly on screen.

While Harry was missing, friends and fans gathered around Mr Heller to help search, both while he was away and once he returned to Kent Town.

“It was an extraordinary outpouring of support … I’m just absolutely amazed at the support outpouring of so many people across this city … I have had calls from all over the state,” Mr Heller said.

“Loads of my musician and entertainment industry friends just descended on Kent Town and started looking.”