Dear LPG, 

Technically I live alone, and when my last child left home and I first found myself alone after so long, I did find that difficult to cope with.  I think that other readers who live alone will agree that it is not having anyone else to cook for or worry about which makes the whole thing so difficult.  

It was one of my friends who suggested that I get a cat. I have always thought of them as free spirits and wondered what value there can be in providing a home for an animal that is never there, but I ended up getting one anyway.  I would have never been able to manage a dog with all the walks that they would need but there is an advantage to having a pet around who comes and goes… until it doesn’t bother to come home one evening. 

When it happened to me I became really worried but she was back in the early hours of the morning.  The whole episode got me thinking about the many people who have a pet that really gets lost though.   My cat was only gone for the night and, even though she is very important to me, I really didn’t realise just how much until she was not there.  

When I bought my feline friend, I knew that she had been microchipped and I remember getting a booklet with her serial number in it but I really had no idea what I did with the book when I really needed it.  

One of the most important things to know is that if your cat is chipped, your contact details will be logged with that chip number.  If he or she is found and is taken to a vet they will be able to scan it and there is a better chance that you will get your pet back.  It is also a good idea to register the cat as missing with the agency that has your details so that they are on the alert.

There is one other thing to remember and that is the importance of making sure that your details are up to date on that register.  So if you move, change your telephone contact number or give your pet to someone else you also need to make sure that the records are updated. 

Perhaps theirs is one of those numbers that you need to keep on your ICE list (►►►).

IG, Bellingham. 

LPG found some information….

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