Cat Java taken to Lymington's Cat and Kitten Rescue nine years after going missing in New Milton

A CAT owner has described the return of her pet after going missing for nine years as a “true Christmas miracle”.

Every year since Java, a British short hair, went missing from her home in Miller Close, New Milton, Lauren Mabbley has posted an appeal to find him on social media.

But she had almost given up hope of ever seeing him again until last week when she received a call from Lymington’s Cat and Kitten Rescue charity saying he had been found.

Lauren said: "I went into absolute shock when I got the call. I can't even describe that moment. I really thought Java had passed away as it had been so long since he'd been gone.

"To have him back is like a true Christmas miracle."

He was scanned and Lauren's address and phone number were still registered.

She rushed straight to the charity's centre to see Java, who had gone blind since he went missing.

But Lauren said: "He seemed to recognise my voice as he was very affectionate straight away. He's been letting me stroke him and hold him.

"I could hardly speak when I saw him. It's just wonderful he's been found. The best Christmas present ever."

Java, who went missing when he was three, had been taken to Cat and Kitten Rescue by a New Milton woman. He had been coming into her garden for a few months and she was worried he might be ill.

But vets who examined Java said that, apart from his blindness, he was in good health.

She said: "Thank God I hadn't changed my phone number. I am so glad I had him chipped as well. He seems in very good health apart from being blind, which is sad.

"I keep visiting him as much as possible as, at the moment, the charity are carrying out health checks to make sure everything is okay with him.

"When he comes out he will go to live with my ex-husband as I now have three cats and think he needs a quieter home. But I will be a constant visitor."

Jon Hancock, co-manger of the charity, said it was "unprecedented' for it to have returned a cat after so long.

He said: "It proves how important it is to have your pet chipped.

"It's so heart-warming that we have been able to bring Java home. It shows you should never give up hope when your pet goes missing."