A Cambridgeshire family has experienced a 'Christmas miracle' after their beloved cat, missing since vanishing during the Covid-19 lockdown, was returned to them five years later.
A Devastating Disappearance During Lockdown
Jilly Fretwell, 29, from Somersham, was left heartbroken in 2020 when her five-year-old black cat, Bindi, ran off and disappeared. The loss was particularly acute during the pandemic restrictions, with Jilly spending her daily permitted walks searching for her pet, sharing appeals on social media, and asking residents in nearby Haddenham to remain vigilant.
The Unexpected Call That Led to a Reunion
Earlier this month, in a stunning turn of events, Mrs Fretwell received a call from a veterinary surgery in Witchford. A woman in Haddenham had handed in a cat, and when the vets scanned her, they discovered the microchip that identified her as Bindi. Despite a decade of age and half a lifetime away from her family, the reunion was instant and emotional.
"We picked her up from the vets, and it's like she recognised us," Jilly told the BBC. "She was instantly on our lap, giving us snuggles, and it was the best feeling. A real Christmas miracle."
A Well-Looked-For Mystery
Remarkably, Bindi was found to be in excellent health—glossy, well-fed, and with only minor scratches. This suggests she had been cared for during her long absence, though her family has no idea where she spent the last five years. "She's been looked after somewhere," Jilly confirmed, expressing gratitude mixed with curiosity about her pet's mysterious journey.
This heartwarming story follows other remarkable tales of pet reunions in the UK, including a cat returning after 16 years and another recognising her owners after two years living on the streets, highlighting the critical importance of microchipping pets.
