‘I always held out a little hope’: Jessica reunited with long lost cat after two-and-a-half years

A northern suburbs woman received an early birthday present when she was reunited with her long lost cat.

George the cat has been reunited with his owners after more than two years missing. Supplied.

A northern suburbs woman received an early birthday surprise when she was reunited with her long lost cat, George.

The beloved furry family member was missing for two-and-a-half years — reportedly living in drain pipes near Edinburgh — and has recently been returned to owner Jessica.

George was adopted alongside his sister Dusky four years ago, but tragedy struck shortly after Jessica and her partner moved to their new Davoren Park home in 2022.

“I’d been taking him outside wearing a harness and a leash to help him get used to his new surroundings,” Jessica said.

“I’d brought him back inside and taken his leash off but not his harness, and then I had to go out briefly and while I was out, one of our housemates accidentally left the laundry door open and George ran off still wearing his harness.”

George the cat has been reunited with owner Jessica after more than two years missing. Supplied.

Jessica launched a mammoth search effort — from putting up posters around the neighbourhood to ringing rescue groups — but the primary school teacher could not find her missing pet.

“I looked for months and I always held out a little hope, but in the end I gave up on ever seeing him again,” she said.

It would take more than two years and two attempts to capture the evasive cat, but the pair would eventually be reunited thanks to the help of some workers near Edinburgh and the RSPCA.

George was living in drain pipes near Edinburgh. Supplied.

The animal welfare group jumped into action when they received a call last month about a cat with a strap around its neck.

A reporter named Courtney said the cat had been living in drain pipes near her work and getting the occasional feed from her colleagues for years, but they never noticed the material around its neck.

When she spotted what appeared to be a piece of rope around the animal, she called the RSPCA.

“I now know that the rope was the body band of the harness this cat was wearing when he ran off – it must have been hidden under his fur and had finally snapped, because this was the first time we noticed it,” she said.

Catching George brought a new set of challenges.

Reunited and it feels so good! Picture: Supplied.

RSPCA rescue officers gave Courtney a cat trap, which she set up and checked regularly.

George was soon lured into the trap, but his capture was brief. One of Courtney’s kind colleagues opened the cage to feed the cat, but their four legged captive made another escape.

Fortunately, they were able to reset the trap and capture George again last week.

George, who had been microchipped, was soon able to be reunited with his owner.

Jessica could barely believe the news when she got the call.

“It’s my birthday next Tuesday, and having George back has to be about the best present I’ve ever had,” she said.