There are several simple ways to assist our pets' safe return, what with collar tags and the always-advisable microchip option. In the case of the latter, even if we don't know the owner's name, a quick search with a microchip scanner will identify the animal, guaranteeing that it will shortly be returning home with little more than an empty tummy and a shortage of cuddles to complain about.

Unfortunately, some animals have more than the average adventure and we can only guess at what they've really been through whilst on their walkabout.

One particular adventurer has been resident at our Alnwick surgery since last Friday and thus far our efforts to identify her have proven fruitless. Hopefully this article will help to reunite her with her proper owners.

'Lucky' (I dare you to contradict that as an adopted name by the time you've read the rest of the diary) was brought in to vet Simon by a caring client, who came across the poor puss in their garden in Longhoughton last Friday morning.

Our kind Samaritan found Lucky lying in the grass with a snare embedded around her neck, attached to a 12-inch-long, four-by-three stake. It was immediately evident that Lucky had not fallen into the snare recently, but had made her way into the garden by dragging the snare over several fences before collapsing.

On closer inspection it became evident that Lucky had been caught up in this horrendous contraption for at least a week, and the ligature around her neck had become deeply embedded, threatening to garrotte her.

Simon knew he had to act fast, and Lucky was swiftly anaesthetised so that she could be cut free from her trap.

Despite initial fears, the wire had not cut into the cat's neck as deeply as first thought and miraculously the wound didn't actually require sutures.
Instead, Simon prescribed antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory cream to soothe and repair the significant sore. A very fortunate cat indeed.

No doubt feeling better after her anaesthetic, Lucky soon proved to be as bright as a button and very affectionate. We're guessing that we haven't heard her meow yet as she'll be feeling a little hoarse though there is a possibility that the trauma to her throat may also be responsible!

We are convinced that this adorably distinctive grey tabby cat must have a real name and a real home to go to. Until we can find it she will stay here, in her kennel, wrapped up in her cat basket with all her needs tended to by our nurses.

All at our Belvedere surgery are keeping their fingers crossed in the hope that this article will reunite her with her family, who must be missing her terribly. She definitely deserves to go back home, and who knows, she might just have learned her lesson about straying too far from her own garden.

So if you have lost a very loving cat in the Longhoughton area recently, don't hesitate to get in touch with us on 01665 602516.