A cat which was missing for nearly four months has been reunited with its owner after a photographer recognised her from an article in The Argus.
Alan MacKenzie spotted Flora, a black and white cat who had been missing from her home in Hove since April.
Having read a recent article in The Argus about Lost Cats Brighton appeal for missing cats in the area, Alan recognised Flora who had been regularly visiting his mother’s garden.
Alan said: “Flora had been visiting my mum's garden in late evening between May and early July, but we didn't know she was a missing cat until I saw The Argus appeal.
“Flora stopped appearing in daylight hours on July 6 after another cat, Dylan, picked up Flora's scent from my trousers and decided to chase her away.
“Despite not being mine, I am Dylan's favourite human, and he was not going to tolerate another cat befriending me.
"Determined to track Flora down, I employed my infrared motion-sensor trail camera to gather intelligence.
“Sure enough, Flora was still visiting the garden, but only in the early hours.”
Alan contacted Lost Cats Brighton who provided him with a cat basket and food in the hope to lure her in.
After successfully getting Flora and contacting her owner, the pair were reunited having last seen one another 119 days prior.
Alan said: “Without my skills as a wildlife photographer and The Argus missing cat appeal, Flora may never have seen her owner again.
“The mystery of why Dylan came to us so hungry was also solved - Dylan eats outside, because he doesn't like his owner's Jack Russell and Flora survived all that time by stealing Dylan's food!"
Jo Hathaway, trustee at Lost Cats Brighton, shared their gratitude for Alan's support.
She said: "We are thrilled for Flora and her owner, and good news like this fills us with so much joy. We are so grateful to Alan for his help with making this reunion happen.
"We are always thankful to the public with their amazing support and kindness in caring for cats in our community."
Lost Cats Brighton was set up in 2000, with the aim to help rescue, reunite and rehome cats in the area.
The charity offers a lost, found, and reunited register where people from Brighton and Hove, and surrounding areas, can report any missing cats.
This information is then shared via its Facebook page, Instagram, and website, asking for people to get in touch with any potential sightings.
The charity offers a range of advice for anyone who has lost their cat including asking neighbours to check gardens, sheds, and garages, and putting up posters for those not on social media.
They currently have a number of cats on their page still looking to be found.
This includes Debbie, a three-year-old black and white cat from Donnington Road in Woodingdean. She was last seen in November 2024 and her owners are desperate to be reunited.
Any missing cats or sightings can be reported to the charity via their social media pages.
Donations can also be made on the charity's website.
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