Our National Information Line handled almost 250 calls about missing cats during July – a 60% increase on the monthly average. This is due to the fact that cats are more likely to roam during warmer weather.

As Cats Protection’s Behaviour Manager, Nicky Trevorrow, says: “Cats are notoriously curious creatures that like to investigate their surroundings and this can result in them getting trapped in outbuildings. The risk is that they go unnoticed so we’re asking people to have a really good look before locking up, particularly if you’re aware of any cats missing in your area.”

Many owners know the heartbreak a missing cat can cause. When Molly Rayment’s cat Wispa went missing earlier this summer, she feared the worst. She searched the area, posted on social media, contacted local forums and charities and notified the microchipping company.

Molly also contacted the local vets and even the local council in case they had found any dead cats. 20 days after she had last seen Wispa, Molly got a call from one of her neighbours to say they had found a cat in their garage.

Molly went round immediately, and as soon as she opened the garage door, she knew it was Wispa inside. She was shocked by the terrible state she was in. “She was desperately dirty and thin. I think she must have been living off of rain water that had leaked in and maybe insects or mice.”

A trip to the vets revealed that Wispa weighed just 1.9kg – 2kg less than her normal healthy weight. The vet even said that she wouldn’t have survived another couple of days. She was initially put on a drip and over the following weeks, Molly had to be careful in feeding her small amounts at regular intervals.

Thankfully, Wispa is now almost back to her regular weight and is enjoying lots of fuss and cuddles.

More information about the #LookBeforeYouLock campaign can be found here.