A cat, thought to be lost forever, turned up 5 weeks later 400km from home

Little Titi’s owners thought she was gone forever. Then they received a call to say she had been found 400km from home.

A cat, who went missing five weeks ago, has finally been reunited with her owners 400km from her home in Victoria.

Chantal Dekuyper got the shock of her life when she found a cat living in the bonnet of her car – she was even more surprised when she discovered the cat was from Mildura.

Ms Dekuyper, who regularly fosters pets at her Trott Park home, said she opened the bonnet of her car at the local car wash on Saturday because it had a strong smell of urine.

“A little black and white cat jumped up,” she said.

“She was actually okay, she had no cuts or bruises … I couldn’t believe she was alive.

“She must’ve kept climbing in there for the warmth.”

Titi with owner Emily and rescuer Chantal. Picture: Supplied

Titi was found in the engine bay of Chantal's Mitsubishi. Picture: Supplied

Ron Guilk and Emily Tran, the owners of Titi, said they spent five weeks “thinking the worst” after their cat disappeared from their unit in Mildura.

Mr Guilk said Ms Tran and her children Kevin, 10 and Sumi, 16, were “over the moon” when they received the call from Ms Dekuyper.

“The kids were over the moon and my partner was crying,” he said.

“(We were) absolutely astonished.

“The kids fell off the bed.”

Ms Dekuyper said she was “gobsmacked” to hear of the cat’s long adventure.

“We didn’t know what to say to each other,” she said.

“None of us have any idea how she got there.”

Titi was lucky to escape without any injuries. Picture: Supplied.

The family said they were able to confirm with Ms Dekuyper it was Titi by a picture drawn by 16-year-old Sumi.

“It’s a good outcome,” Mr Guilk said.

Mr Guilk said the family kept asking themselves “how the hell did she get there?”

“Maybe she jumped in a truck or a car,” he theorised.

Ms Dekuyper later found out that her neighbour, who regularly feeds stray cats, had been feeding Titi all along.

“We’re so grateful for them all,” Mr Guilk said.

Titi was reunited with the rest of her family on Monday night. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Guilk said it was out of character for Titi to run away, especially considering she has kittens back home.

Ms Tran made the trip with Mr Guilk on Monday to pick up Titi from Trott Park, but they couldn’t leave before stopping at the fish markets to get special treat for Titi.

“She must’ve wanted the fresh seafood from South Australia all along,” Mr Guilk said.

“She’ll get pampered tonight (and) have a nice warm shower.”