Lost cat back home after 18 months

A cat that was missing for 18 months has been reunited with his owners in north-west London.
The moggie, named Felix, disappeared from his home in Harlesden in September 2010 and turned up at Battersea

Dogs & Cats Home after being found roaming the streets just two miles from his home.
When Felix arrived at the charity, staff scanned him for a microchip - a small ID chip that sits under the animal's skin - and were able to contact his family.
 

Felix's owner Nicholas Cochonneau said: "I couldn't believe it when Battersea got in touch to tell us they had Felix.
"My partner and I almost gave up hope of ever seeing him again, and if it wasn't for the microchip we'd never have found him.
 

"We're baffled as to where he's been all this time, but the main thing is he's safe and sound and we're able to take him home."
It was thanks to Felix's microchip that the Cochonneaus were able to find their lost pet. Only 5% of cats that came through the charity's doors last year were microchipped, making it almost impossible for staff to find their owners.
 

Liz McWalter, head of intake and assessing at Battersea, added: "Microchipping is one of the most effective ways of making sure that you find your pet in the event it should go missing.
"If more animals were microchipped, rescue centres like Battersea would be able to happily reunite more cats like Felix with their owners."

Source: The Press Association