Cat reunited with owners years after going missing
An island couple have been reunited with their cat after it went missing for five years.
Kathleen and Asa Harrison adopted Flora, the offspring of a feral cat, when she was a kitten.
She quickly settled into life in Strond, Harris, with the Harrisons' dogs Cooper and Mist.
Flora vanished in March 2020 and Kathleen feared she was gone for good until she turned up last month - 11 miles away in Miabhag nam Bàgh.
After her travels, the wandering moggy now has the nicknam Flora the Explorer, which plays on the name of children's TV cartoon character Dora the Explorer.
When she disappeared, the Harrisons initially thought she had jumped into the van of contractors who had been working on their house at the time.
But checks of the vehicle and Scaladale, north Harris, where the workers made a stop before returning to Stornoway in Lewis found no sign of her.
The couple spent days searching their local area and, over the years, Kathleen has received multiple messages about possible sightings but none turned out to be Flora.
On 13 January she was contacted by a cousin about a social media post with an image attached of a cat found in Miabhag nam Bàgh.
Kathleen said: "I looked at the post and it was the first time in all those years that I thought it could be Flora."
More stories from the Highlands and Islands
News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds
Arriving at the house of the person who found the cat, Kathleen called out Flora's name and the cat ran up to her.
A scan of the cat's microchip confirmed it was her.
Kathleen said: "We just couldn't believe it was her. It took a while to sink in.
"She was well looked after by the family that found her."
Kathleen added: "The dogs went crazy, in a positive way.
"Mist almost climbed into the cat carrier with her. We think they absolutely recognised her straight away.
"From that moment, it was obvious to us that she's just so happy to be home.
"She's made it."
Flora has had to adjust to two cats the Harrisons got during her time away.
Kathleen said: "She's very much the cat that left but just a bit more feisty but as the days go on that feisty-ness is reducing."
She added: "If anybody has seen Flora over the years, we'd love to hear from you to try and piece together the journey that she's possibly been on."
Effort to tackle Hebridean isle's feral cat colony
Forty cats found in house after death of owner
Stowaway cat's 200 nautical mile trip
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Headteacher welcomes free school meal announcement
A headteacher has welcomed government plans to extend the free school meals scheme to include more children. From September 2026 all children in families receiving Universal Credit credit will be eligible regardless of their income, in a move expected to benefit more than 500,000 children. The government said the changes to free school meals would save parents £500 a year and "lift 100,000 children out of poverty". Joanna Baxendale, headteacher at Green Lane Primary School in Bradford, said: "Without free school meals, our children simply will not be able to access the curriculum, they won't be able to learn the maximum capacity, they wouldn't be able to reach their full potential." She added: "Our children come from a very deprived area and a high percentage of our children access free school meals. "We already supplement that with free breakfasts and things like that, because we recognise many of our children don't start the day with a breakfast, so they're already not ready to learn. "We all know if you've got an empty tummy, you can't concentrate. "As an adult you know that." Sue Duffy, Bradford Council's executive member for children and families, said the change to the policy was a "fantastic outcome" for children and families in the district. She also encouraged families to check if they are eligible for the scheme so as not to miss out. "Free school meals offer multiple benefits to children's health, well-being, and education, as well as positive economic impacts for families," she said. "A nutritious lunch can improve children's concentration, learning, and overall academic performance, while saving families around £500 per child each year." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Free school meals to be extended to 500,000 more children Bradford Council
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Unity plea ahead of huge Eid celebrations
Muslims in the West Midlands say this year's Eid events will offer a chance to remember people around the world who are suffering. Eid al-Adha, one of the main festivals in the Islamic calendar alongside Eid al-Fitr, will be marked in the UK between Friday and Monday. Two Eid in the Park events were expected to draw thousands of people to Birmingham's Small Heath Park and Wolverhampton's West Park on Friday - although the former will move indoors to Green Lane Mosque due to the weather. "I think it would be an understatement to say that our hearts are with people who are suffering right now," said Haniya Aadam, from the mosque. Eid al-Adha remembers the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael at God's command - although ultimately God spared him. Ms Aadam said she felt the lessons of Ibrahim were especially important at a time of conflict and division in the world. "It's that obedience that Ibrahim had to God, it's that full faith and that full trust that God was going to look after him and look after his child," she explained. "We can't ignore that. I don't think there's any Muslim here that's going to not be thinking about the Muslims thousands of miles away that are suffering. "So having that trust in God, the way that Ibrahim did, to have a happy ending, brings hope to us." About 5,000 worshippers are expected at the event in West Park, the fifth to be held, and which is organised by Jaamia Masjid Aqsa with the event starting with speeches from 10:00 BST. Sohail Khan, councillor for Tettenhall Regis and one of the organisers, echoed Ms Aadam's sentiments. "We live in a very polarised society," he said. "There's nothing better than to bring us all together under one common theme. It is Eid and it is a Muslim festival, but it's open to everybody. "They don't have to partake in the religious side of it. But that's what Eid's about. "It's about community." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Why there are two Eids and how they are celebrated Thousands expected for Eid-al-Adha celebrations In Pictures: Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Green Lane Mosque and Community Centre Jaamia Masjid Aqsa
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Village bicycle stands leave people racked off
Bike racks placed near a Worcestershire pub are so messy, according to tongue-in-cheek critics, they seem to have been installed under the influence of booze. Other miffed residents say the county council provision - on narrow pavement next to a road - takes up too much room, posing problems for wheelchairs. But not all feedback to a council Facebook post on the racks, outside the Queen Elizabeth Inn in Elmley Castle, has been gloomy. One user said the comments thread was simply "negative" and "toxic". Another added the stands had been "well used". The council has been contacted for comment. The authority previously said of the installation: "Whether you're out for a scenic spin or just pedalling to the pub, we've got you covered." That rationale, however, has not been enough to stop the naysayers from, well, racking up. The Spacing and angles of the apparatus have been criticised, along with resurfacing work. One Facebook user wrote: "What did they use to install them, a hand grenade?" Another joked that workers seemed to have put in the racks "after a few pints". One a more serious point, someone else remarked of the stands' siting: "That [pub] is a listed building and [the racks look] appalling! Where is the thought for the less mobile residents, wheelchairs and even parents with prams?" They added: "Waste of money in my opinion and detrimental to the character of this beautiful village and building." A commentator feeling more appreciative wrote: "Great initiative – it has been well used since the installation and is much appreciated." Elmley Castle is described by its parish council as "one of the most beautiful villages in Worcestershire and probably in England". The village nestles below the slopes of Bredon Hill in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Detectives and noxious locks take on bike thieves Worcestershire County Council
