Concerns after cats go missing in Poets Corner Hove

There are growing concerns between residents in Poets Corner after a series of disappearances which has seen four cats vanish in just over a fortnight within a few, small streets.

Some suggest the area might be being targeted by thieves looking to sell the pets online, other believe the cats have ventured too far and could be taking shelter in neighbours’ out-houses. There is no current evidence of the former.

Posters have been put up across the area

Appeals to find the missing, beloved pets cover roadside lamp posts, post boxes and bus stops – some offering cash rewards – as owners desperately attempt to reunite with their felines.

“I have been putting my posters in places in the area,” said Kerry Boettcher.

The 50-year-old’s two-year-old tortoiseshell, Minnie, disappeared on February 4 from Cowper Street.

Kerry Boettcher with her missing cat Minnie

“I was adding it to others and that’s when it hit me,” she said.

“It’s not just my cat, every day there’s another cat that seems to have gone missing.

"That has made people think ‘what’s going on here?’ It’s the mystery of the missing cats.”

Posters have been put up across the area

Lost Cats Brighton, who have dubbed the disappearances the “Poet’s Corner Missing”, is currently looking out for the felines as the community joins in the search with the heartbroken owners.

Ms Boettcher said: “I have put up posters around the neighbourhood, I have fly-posted probably about 100 homes in the surrounding streets.”

“I knocked on about 50 doors in my block and have spoken to neighbours.

Posters have been put up across the area

“I know the foxes are very active at the moment and perhaps she ran foul of a fox, but I am also worried that cats may be taken and sold.”

It has also been suggested the cats may have wandered too far from their homes and could be seeking refuge in out-houses.

People who live near Poet’s Corner are asked to check their sheds and other outside buildings to see whether the animals are inside.

Six cats have been reported to have disappeared from Poets Corner since the end of January. Two of these cats have since returned.

Posters have been put up across the area

These include moggy Chewy, who returned after 19 days skinny, hungry and thirsty, but with fur in good condition.

Sebastian, pet of Anne Lever, 40, returned after 18 days. Ms Lever is still searching for his brother, Hunter, who went missing on January 27.

The cats that remain missing are:

Sid, missing from Westbourne Gardens since February 15.

Missing Sid

Hunter, missing from Rutland Road since January 27.

Minnie, missing from Cowper Street since February 4.

Missing Minnie

Pushkin, missing from Shirley Street since February 10.

Missing Pushkin

People are also searching for Larry, who went missing from Westbourne Street on December 16.

Missing Larry

If you believe you have found one of these cats, call Lost Cats Brighton on 01273 422721.

Labour councillor for Westbourne Ward, Chris Henry, has contacted the local PCSO asking for him to be vigilant when out and about.

He said: “To have one missing cat in the area may be regarded as a misfortune, but to have over five looks like a worrying trend.

“This represents five distressed families at a time that is difficult enough during lockdown. I’ve contacted our local PCSO and asked that he is vigilant when patrolling the area.

“I’m also advising affected families to check if there was any CCTV operating in the area that might provide clues and for anyone worried about their own cat to be extra vigilant, keep them in at night and to consider microchipping.”

Sussex Police told The Argus that no incidents relating to the disappearances have been reported to them.