£1,000 hunt for missing cat at ‘standstill’
A SEARCH costing £1,000 for a west Belfast cat has hit “a standstill” despite an investigation by a pet detective.
Spencer, a one-year-old ginger Tom, has been missing from his home near the Springfield Road for just over a month despite a desperate search by his owners Michael McGrath (47) and his fiancee Marta Larkin (36).
The distraught couple have spent the money so far on posters and advertising, and have also sought the advice from Dublin-based THOSE considering buying a puppy for Christmas have been urged to wait until the New Year and instead rehome an animal that has been rescued.
The call came as it emerged that across Northern Ireland between April and September of this year, some 566 unwanted dogs were collected by staff working for local councils.
Heartbreakingly, 106 of these animals were not able to be rehomed and were destroyed.
In Belfast alone, council figures show that 19 unwanted dogs were collected between the same dates — five of which were put to sleep.
Of the others, eleven were sent to shelters or animal organisations and three were sold.
East Belfast Green Party councillor Georgina Milne urged members of the public to consider rehoming previously unwanted pets as she handed over gifts pet sleuth Robert Kenny of Happy Tails pet detective agency. With no sightings so far, the Poirot of the pet world told the Belfast Telegraph last week it was likely he had been taken out of the area or had gained access to someone’s property without their knowledge.
With no evidence Spencer has been hurt or killed, Mr Kenny said he had to presume he was still alive. A house cat, Spencer and toys collected by members of her party for the animals of Assisi Animal Sanctuary near Bangor.
“Many people are aware of the slew of unwanted pets that fill animal shelters after the Christmas rush. However, the message still needs repeating — if you’re thinking of getting a pet, consider waiting until a less emotional time of year and consider adopting from somewhere like Assisi, who have lots of pets who haven’t been as lucky in finding a home and are patiently waiting to be taken home and loved,” Ms Milne said.
“We’ve also recently been alerted to the surge in people buying puppies which have been illegally imported. These animals often have suffered terribly in the journey here, and many end up sick, dead or abandoned. Assisi always needs the help of volunteers and donations of money and food.
“If you want to give some four-legged friends a gift, contact them at 028 9181 2622.” had wandered off when a gate was briefly left open during a bin collection.
Yesterday, Ms Larkin said she was growing increasingly anxious for a breakthrough.
“The search is more or less at a standstill, we’ve had no calls or sightings,” she said.
“Even though we’ve had no luck yet the members of the public have been great. There’s been ladies from Ballymena and THREE donkeys rescued from living in pitiful conditions in north Belfast have already been attracting interest from members of the public who may be able to offer them a new home.
The plight of Faith, Hope and Charity was highlighted in the Belfast Telegraph yesterday.
The Donkey Sanctuary welfare adviser Jane Bruce said: “I have already had a few calls about the three and we will certainly follow through on them.”
Faith, Hope and Charity were taken into the care of The Donkey Omagh who contacted me to say they’ve been in similar situations.”
She continued: “The fact that no one knows worries me. Has he passed away and no one wants to tell us or is he with another family?”
Spencer and brother Feidhelm were adopted as kittens in Londonderry last September after their mother died.
The separation, Ms Larkin Sanctuary after a report was received they had been left in a dreadful state of neglect on a barren strip of land on the outskirts of Belfast.
The passerby who reported the case was alarmed by the poor state of their hooves.
One of them was so long that the donkey was forced to lie on cold ground, barely able to move.
“This is a fairly regular occurrence. In this case, we collaborated with Belfast City Council, who have powers with regard to animal welfare, and once they were agreeable we took the animals into our care,” said Jane.
As well as the obvious physical said, has been keenly felt at home.
“Feidhelm has definitely noticed, he had a very close bond with Spencer so he’s got very vocal and needy.
“You can sense all the cats around the house are more stressed now. Maybe they’re picking up on how upset we are.”
As the search continues, Ms Larkin said she would be happy to exceed a current £100 reward.
Spencer went missing a month ago