Stray ginger cat, M9, was found by a concerned community member and brought to Lort Smith with blood on his paw.

A vet examination of all paws found M9 to be suffering from pododermatitis (also known as pillow foot) – put simply, it is a foot pad disease in cats that results in painful inflammation. M9’s paws were cleaned and he was provided with pain relief.

You may be thinking M9 is a strange name for a cat, but rest assured, it is his actual name. And we know this because…. he was microchipped! Hoorah for responsible pet ownership!

When M9’s family were contacted, they were in utter disbelief. It turns out, M9 had been missing for almost four years!

M9 was two years old when he went missing. Until that point, he was an indoor-only feline who his family describe as ‘one of the boys’.

“He was such a chilled out, affectionate cat that wasn’t bothered by anything,” says Nicole, a member of M9’s family.

M9’s family have no idea how he got outside, but one day he just disappeared. They wandered their local neighbourhood for days, spoke to all their immediate neighbours and visited vets and shelters with no luck. M9 was their first family cat and they were utterly devastated, as was Biggles – the resident Labradoodle and M9’s best mate. The family assumed he may have been hit by a car and died. Wherever he was, they just hoped he was not suffering.

M9’s whereabouts always niggled at the back of their mind and they would always look twice at ginger cats in a hope they may spot M9. This week, four years later, M9’s family received a message they thought would never come – M9 had turned up!

“Oh my Lord,” said mum Petsa as she learnt the news. Her family ran around the house and called their friends to share the miracle news.

During his brief stay at Lort Smith, M9 received treatment for pillow foot and was also desexed, vaccinated and tested for FIV. His family immediately knew it was M9 by the shape of his face and freckles around his nose.

“Besides his feet, he looked healthy, chunky even,” said Nicole.

M9 was a little scared initially, but has quickly settled back into life at home and is enjoying a comfy bed to sleep on each night.

M9’s FIV test came back positive and this was something he didn’t have before he went missing. However his family are not phased in the slightest by this.

“He can still live a long and healthy life. And it doesn’t stop you from loving them,” says Nicole.

M9 is slowly being introduced to Oscar, the new feline in the house and will soon to be reunited with doggy pal Biggles.

M9’s family were clients of Lort Smith prior to his four-year-adventure and will continue to be so. They appreciate Lort Smith’s payment plan options and discounted vet care for health care card holders.

M9’s story is a testament to the importance of microchipping your furry family members.

“It’s so important if you want to be reunited with your pet,” says Nicole.

“Lort Smith did a wonderful job taking care of M9. We cannot thank them enough,” says Petsa.