Nelly Fatnowna appeals for help finding Ginger, last seen in Andergrove

The ginger cat, called Ginger, was last seen wearing a black and white winter coat bounding down Maple Dr in Andergrove.

Ginger the cat has done a runner in Mackay.

A Toowoomba woman’s emergency dash to Mackay to see her ageing mother in hospital has resulted in a desperate search for another beloved member of her family.

Nelly Fatnowna knows it is a long shot but she hopes the Mackay community can help reunite her with her Houdini kitty Ginger.

Mrs Fatnowna, a music therapist in Toowoomba but who grew up and lived in Andergrove, got an emergency call last week that her mother was sick and in Mackay Base Hospital.

Her usual cat-sitter, who would have looked after Ginger as she made the trip north, was unavailable so she packed him up for his first car trip.

It could likely be his last.

Ginger in his black and white winter coat in the cat carrier on his journey from Toowoomba to Mackay with Nelly Fatnowna. Picture: Contributed

The drive was uneventful, with Ginger tucked up safely and wearing his black and white jacket to ward off the cool weather, until she arrived at her family’s home on Thursday, July 8.

“He has never travelled before and we arrived, went to Andergrove to see my siblings when he made his run for freedom,” Mrs Fatnowna said.

The ginger giant fled down Maple Dr and into Amanda Dr when the trail went cold despite doorknocking and an ongoing search to find him.

“I think it is wretched behaviour of a teenager,” Mrs Fatnowna, who has since returned to Toowoomba, said.

The sizeable ginger kitty in Toowoomba. He may be preferring Mackay’s warmer weather but he has people wanting him home in the Garden City. Picture: Contributed

The last-known photo of Ginger wearing his black and white winter coat in Mackay. He was last seen on Maple Dr and tracked to Amanda Dr in Andergrove before the trail went cold. Picture: Contributed

The adorable kitty walked into the Fatnowna’s lives and left paw-prints on their hearts … and they want him home. Picture: Contributed

She has spoken with the Mackay Animal Management Centre and various animal rescue groups to no avail.

She has chosen to disagree with her husband who said they were unlikely to see Ginger again, and hoped the Mackay community could come to the rescue.

She said Ginger walked into their lives last Christmas and never left, cementing his place in the family and still holds the coveted position as a loved house cat.

“He’s been part of the family ever since,” she said.

Mrs Fatnowna said Ginger was also beloved by her music therapy clients who had asked about him.

While Ginger may want to linger in Mackay for the warmer weather over Toowoomba’s freezing temperatures, Mrs Fatnowna hopes he can be returned safely.