Max the cat is back home in Brightlingsea after going missing for more than two weeks – and wondering what all the fuss was about.
Well-known to visitors and residents alike – particularly for his strolls along the Prom and his visits to beach huts and the Lido – Max is now back with ‘Mum’ Georgie Dunt after being tracked down in Suffolk. His disappearance sparked press and radio coverage and hundreds of messages of support from well-wishers Max’s Missions, Max’s Facebook page.
It was thanks to his Facebook page that Max was spotted. Georgie explained: “A lovely lady who lives in Hartlepool who follows Max’s Missions, happened to stumble across a post from a lady in Suffolk asking if anyone recognises a cat that has been visiting their garden and playing with with her giant Staffy. I knew from the second I saw the back of Max in the picture and his description that it was him!”
Georgie was able to get in touch with the woman who Max had been visiting, and Max was tracked down – he’d apparently been at the home of a nearby couple. The two women who helped to find Max refused to share the £600 reward that was on offer for Max’s return, but Georgie says she will be “sending a token of my gratitude their way”.
Last year Max ended up in Luton after befriending a family staying on the Lakeside Caravan Park. They thought he was a stray and took him home, only discovering that he was lost when a vet scanned his chip. Recently he had a narrow escape after being hit by a car, and hadn’t long recovered before going missing.
Said Georgie: “I cannot thank everyone who has helped me look for Max. I was able to switch off at times knowing that there were eyes and ears and ideas for his whereabouts happening at all times. It really helped me remain as calm as possible (with the odd meltdown of course) and positive.”
And as for Max? “He’s currently checking all the windows and looking at me like why have I imprisoned him again. Who wants to share responsibility for him? I can’t handle the stress anymore!” said a relieved Georgie.
