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Caroline and Dave
12th April 2008, 05:59 PM
Hi Everyone,
Some of you already know this , but for those who don't, we have been living in NZ and the Uk for the past year while we close our business in the UK. Well both Caroline and I are now back in the UK with our leaving date on the 1st May. We have had the usual stress of moving etc, dealing with closing the business etc. Then 3 weeks ago something happened that we had not planned for. We are taking both of our 2 year old cats with us who we have really bonded with and they are like close family. Then one day , our tortoiseshell cat went out and never came back." days later, still no cat. These 2 cats never disappear for more than a few hours and always come back for the night.
After the 2nd night we contacted the missing cat societies and the microchip company and a general alert was put out. We went around all the neighbours and dropped leaflets and put up notices, still no sign.
Apart from missing a loved one, they were due their Faeces tests and vetinary worming as they were being shipped to NZ on the 2nd May.
We were also due to go to Malta for a week just to break up the packing procedure. " days before we were due to go to Malta there was still no sign and she had been missing over a week. We were convinced she was locked in a shed somewhere as she is a nervous cat and would never approach people.
Then the people who run the cattery where they go suggested that we still go to malta and they will come to our house twice a day and check if the cat returned. They installed a cat trap and replenished the food each day. By this time they had missed the deadline for the faeces tests.
We went to Malta and it was the 2nd to last day and still no sign had been seen of her. Then the phone rang in the hotel and she had been found . She had come home and then managed to set the trap off without getting stuck in it but then could not get out of the conservatory as the cat flap was set on entry only. This was now nearly 3 weeks since she dissapeared and she was thin and very dusty. She had been locked in someones shed all this time.
Now the next problem was the cats were now behind schedule to go to New Zealand.But Airpets, who we are dealing with were so helpful and they have organised to get the faeces test done themselves when they are over with them and other things we were supposed to arrange all for no extra charge. They have been in touch with us and the cattery people and between them it is still on for the departure. We cannot thank these people enough and it is so nice that there are people who put themselves out so much for animals. The cattery people went out every night just as we did when we were home.
We are so greatful to all these lovely people.
I cannot praise the cattery people and Airpets enough.
Well back to the packing now

Dave and Caroline

Jo Jo
12th April 2008, 06:20 PM
What a lovely, heart-warming story. I'm so glad it all worked out well.

thekiwibarkers
12th April 2008, 06:24 PM
Wow, what an incredible story and I am so pleased it all worked out for you all. When I was halfway through reading it I was fearing the worst and you both must have been so stressed out!!...

Good luck with the rest of the packing and the move and I'm sure both your furry little friends will have a great new life when you all get here!...

mgbridges
12th April 2008, 07:21 PM
Oh I'm soooo pleased there was a happy outcome for you and that folks have rallied round so that your feline family can join you in NZ.

Hope all goes well with the rest of the move and we'll see you at a get together sometime soon.

Anneliese

JandM
12th April 2008, 07:24 PM
Fantastic! What wonderful people, and I'm so pleased for you that she came home.

dusk
13th April 2008, 05:27 AM
aww, restores your faith in human nature doesn't it? glad to hear kitty is back and not too worse the wear for the experience.

thezorbster
13th April 2008, 07:32 AM
So glad there was a happy ending for you - restores faith in humanity too!

willsken
13th April 2008, 09:05 AM
A happy ending, brilliant! :clap :clap

zardell
13th April 2008, 09:48 AM
:nice1

What an incredible story.

I love a happy ending.

:cheers

Julie

xx

Pip
13th April 2008, 07:24 PM
phew what a relief and so glad it all turned out o.k! I couldn't bear to be separated from our moggies...

On a lighter note, some friends of mine emigrated to Canada and their cat vanished the day it (and they, were due to travel). It seemed crazy for them to miss their flight, so they decided to go on and I spent three days going to their old house, putting out fresh food until finally one day I found a cat in there having come through the catflap. I promptly stuffed it on a box and called them in Canada to tell them I'd found it and was about to take it to the vet, to get it recertified and Air Canada were expecting it. Just to be safe, I described the cat as I didn't know it that well and it used to keep a low profile.. and yep. you guessed it - wrong cat!

Thankfully, a couple of days later - I got the right cat and duly dispatched it to Canada.. but still can't believe how close the other one came to being shipped out!

lockstock
13th April 2008, 08:28 PM
That's so sad...and so happy. What a relief. We left our three cats behind but I miss them terribly. The old boy wouldn't have survived the journey and the two youngsters are more than happy roaming the farm for rodents. Glad you're all back on track.

Caroline and Dave
24th April 2008, 09:25 AM
Well the cats were picked up at 8 am this morning for a weeks stay at airpets until they are flown over. It was also the first day of the packers and I am impressed as to how well they get everything packed. The first container comes on friday with the 2nd one on tuesday then we have one night in an empty house and off to NZ the following day. We have been backwards and forwards to NZ for a year now but it is finally starting to sink in.. We had over a hundred people at our farewell party on sunday which was hard to say goodbye, but they all have a place to stay in NZ now so its not too bad. When we return to NZ then hopefully we can update the house build thread


Dave and Caroline

JandM
24th April 2008, 09:48 AM
All the best for the rest of the packing, and a good journey.:nice1

Kerry and David
24th April 2008, 10:03 AM
So pleased everything has worked out for you, good luck wih your move:clap

dusk
24th April 2008, 08:57 PM
good news.
I don't think I KNOW 100 people :D

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