A CAT called Boo has sparked a mystery after being reunited with her owner - 13 years after going missing.

Vets in Pocklington have appealed for the public's help in finding out where Boo has been since she disappeared from her home in Harrogate in 2005.

Wicstun Vets said Boo enjoyed family life as a youngster and, although often outdoors and adventuring, she would always return home for the night.

"Sadly, one night in 2005, when she was five years old, she didn’t come home," said a spokeswoman.

"Her 'mum' waited anxiously and over the coming days searched high and low for any sign of her beloved cat.

"Days came and went with no news. Although hope was never lost that Boo might come back, the chance seemed much less likely as time went on. Months turned into years and little Boo became all but a memory."

She said a very elderly, stray cat was brought in to the vet's Pocklington branch this week. "She was a little dehydrated and showing signs of some illness, but generally speaking her condition wasn’t too bad.

"As always, we were very excited to discover that she was microchipped and the team were hopeful that we would be able to trace her owner.

"The microchip data, obtained via UK database Petlog told us that the little cat’s name was Boo and we collected the registered owner’s information.

"We were very relieved to find out that she had kept her contact details up to date over the years and the nurses were delighted that she answered our call straight away. Our phone call came as a great shock as the mystery of missing Boo started to unravel."

"After an immediate journey from Harrogate to Wicstun Vets, after 13 years and over 40 miles, the pair were happily reunited.

"Boo recognised her mum straight away and within minutes the two were thoroughly enjoying plenty of face rubs, cuddles and meows!

"Let us reassure you that there wasn’t a dry eye in the building. All thanks to a microchip implanted 17 years ago and keeping details up to date."

But she said the surgery now needed the public's help in unravelling a mystery.

"Boo has been well cared for throughout the last 13 years – we don’t know whether she has been in Harrogate, Pocklington, or anywhere in between.

"Somehow she has travelled over 40 miles from home – she might have done that last week or 13 years ago. It’s not uncommon for cats to nap in vans, sadly waking up to find themselves many miles away from where they should be.

"Boo’s owner feels sure that someone is missing the elderly cat, just as she did all those years ago. She would really love to find them, to let them know that Boo is okay and to reunite everyone involved in the elderly cat’s life."

She asked if someone was now missing Boo or recognised the cat, or knew of someone who had ost an elderly tabby cat.

She asked for anyone with information to contact the surgery on 01759 304977.