A CAT rescued from a war zone has done a disappearing act - again.

Back in 2015 The Press reported how Howie the cat was originally brought to the UK by soldier Captain Alan Barker in 2014, when his tour of duty ended in Afghanistan, but that, once in the UK, Captain Barker’s other cat attacked Howie all the time and the feline was rehomed with Paul Cordock in Strensall. Howie subsequently went missing and on that occasion was found after an appeal in the paper.

Now Mr Cordock is hoping it will be a case of second time lucky for Howie after he went missing on Monday (October 16).

The black cat has a usual route that he takes and he is out for up to six hours at a time. Places of interest include the playing fields that overlook the back of Paul's house in Durlston Drive, and the River Foss.

Mr Cordock said: “Howie has recently been bullied by another local cat. He gets very stressed and disorientated and when a cat feels like that its not unusual for him to be unable to find his way home.

“He hasn’t been himself lately, Wednesday last week we took him to the vet because he had a problem with his back leg. He was given antibiotic injections and that sorted him out.”

Paul has been out putting flyers up around the Strensall and Haxby area. He will also be putting up signs at Cat Protection and local vets.

Paul said: “The soldier who rescued him five years ago said he’s no ordinary cat, the things he’s experienced make him almost super human.”

He went on to say: “He needs a lot of food due to his high metabolic rate, he goes into other people’s houses to eat their cat food, a scavenging habit from when he was wild in Afghanistan, even though he is very well fed at home.

“He’s massively affectionate, he always cuddles up close to me and gets up to greet me when I return home. I’m really missing him.”

Howie is a black cat, has big front teeth, long front claws, and a scar where hair is missing on one of his rear thighs.

He’s got a long body, with almost Siamese like facial features. He is friendly, but, shy with strangers, and has a big appetite despite his athletic build.

He’s a very well-travelled cat and is no stranger to going longer distances than most cats. If anyone has seen Howie or knows where he is, call Mr Cordock on 07944 480933.