A missing cat has been reunited with its owner after somehow making its way all the way to Harrogate from Lancashire.

The mog, called Bea, was found frightened by the side of a busy road in the town centre.

A couple took her to Harrogate New Park Vets4Pets to check if she was microchipped.

Vet Fernando Smit Cordeiro was locking up the practice and rushing to go to a fitness class when Bea arrived.

Her scanned her and was relieved to find the crucial microchip, so he was able to track down the pet’s owner.

He said:

“I picked up the phone and called. After the courtesy greetings I asked, ‘is Bea missing?’ And the gentleman replied, ‘yes’!

“Bea’s dad was relieved and surprised that she was found almost two hours drive away from home”.

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The owners drove over from Lancashire later that evening to collect their pet. They suspected Bea snuck into a delivery van and hitchhiked her way to Harrogate.

Mr Cordeiro added:

“It’s always wonderful to reunite stray or lost pets with their worried parents.”

The vet urged cat owners to get their cat microchipped if they haven’t already. It’s currently not compulsory but the law is set to change soon.

Under the new plans, all cat owners must ensure their pet is microchipped before they reach 20 weeks. Owners found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted or may face a fine of up to £500.

A Harrogate family was left stunned yesterday after their beloved family cat Django was found — five years after they thought they had lost him forever.

Lisa Watson and her husband used to live off Knaresborough Road with Django, a black and white puss they had owned for over two years.

The cat was microchipped but one day Django disappeared and never returned.

Lisa, who had a close bond with her pet, was frantic with worry.

She joined Facebook groups, printed posters and went out every night for four weeks looking for her.

She even went to see a clairvoyant who told her that Django had been killed and she should move on. She said:

“It broke my heart. I thought, that’s my closure, I’m never going to see him again.”

When Django went missing, Lisa was five months pregnant and she said the stress of losing the cat contributed to her giving birth two months early.

But years later, she never stopped thinking about Django and wondered if he was still out there.

The family moved to a different part of the Harrogate district but whenever they were in the area they used to live, they would take a detour to see if they could spot Django.

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Fateful phone call

Everything changed yesterday when Lisa had a phone call from her husband. He cryptically asked her what phone call would she never expect to receive.

She immediately responded with: “Finding Django”.

Django had been found at Fodder by the Great Yorkshire Showground, and after her microchip was scanned by a local vet, it led her back to Lisa.

When she picked Django up, he did not look like a cat that had been struggling to survive in the wild. He was well fed and decidedly chunky.

She described the emotional reunion with the affectionate mog.

“He leaped into my arms, picked up his head and nuzzled my face.”

Lisa and Django have a lot of catching up to do. The family now has some other cats and a five-year-old son who is delighted to have a new pet.

Lisa said:

“If Django doesnt wander off again he’ll be mine for life.

“It’s like when people get reunited there are mixed emotions. You’re glad but you’re strangers again. A lot has happened, there are new family members and the dynamic has changed!”

Lisa urged anyone who sees a cat they think might be a stray to get their microchip checked by a vet. It could help another family be reunited with their long-lost pet.

Would you like to have your dog walk down the aisle with your wedding ring?

It’s all part of a service offered by wedding dog chaperone Katie Abbott, who looks after couples’ pooches during their special day.

The Knaresborough-based professional dog walker first heard about the trend from America, and she thought she could offer newlyweds something a bit different in Yorkshire.

“People were getting family members in to look after their pets, but it took the day away from them.”

Prices start at £225 to hire Ms Abbott as a wedding dog chaperone. She usually stays with the dog for the wedding service and photos afterwards.

She can also stay overnight with the dog whilst newlyweds enjoy themselves at the reception and evening party.

Ms Abbott said the service is particularly popular with millennials who look at their furry companion as a member of their family.

“They want their dog there for the biggest day of their lives.”

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Ms Abbott is trained in canine body language, so on the day, she looks out for fear or stress signals to make sure the animal is not overwhelmed.

At a recent wedding, an excitable labrador charged down the aisle, so she took the dog outside for a walk to calm it down.

One of her jobs is ensuring that the bridal dress is not spoilt by mucky paws — and the dog is kept safely away from the cake.

She’s been to two weddings this year where she walked the dog down the aisle, and there are even custom collars with on them pillows so they can carry the ring.

She said:

“I love my job so much. As an animal lover, being able to work with dogs is amazing, as is being at a wedding, which is the happiest day of people’s lives.

“Having a dog there is the cherry on top of the cake.”