A Bristol woman has sought the help of a private detective after her beloved pet cats suddenly went missing just days apart. Ms Teresa Hogan said it has been more than three weeks since Harry and Skippy went missing from their Brentry home on Okebourne Road in Southmead.
She said both cats often ventured outside of her house but would normally “stay close” and return during the night. The 55-year-old said it wasn’t until the early hours of Tuesday morning (September, 20) that she noticed Harry had not come home - something she found to be “unusual”.
Within 24 hours she posted leaflets and stuck signs on “every lamppost within a mile radius”.
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“I searched the local vicinity and looked under every bush. I was calling him day and night,” she added. But heartbreak struck again when Skippy did not return home just three days later on Friday, September 23.
Devastated by this, Ms Hogan who is self-employed hasn’t been able to work and has spent the last few weeks frantically searching her local community with the help of her neighbours, friends and family. “My cats stay really close to home so I knew there was something seriously wrong.”
Ms Hogan said both cats are over the age of 10. “Harry is old (possibly 14) and has two medical conditions that may require surgery. He is poorly and is lame in his front left leg so he limps.
“To look at him you wouldn’t know the pain he suffers because he doesn’t show it. He has two medications that he has been without for three weeks. He has become very friendly over the last 8 years and is like a lovable teddy bear, but because he is in pain he should not be handled,” she added.
By Saturday evening (September 24), she felt “sure” someone had “taken” her cats and said, “lots of evidence was pointing in that direction”.
“The police were called and were so supportive, searching a property. It is an ongoing investigation but with limited resources only so much can be done.”
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset police said: “We received a call at around 8.30am on Monday 26 September from a woman in Brentry, Bristol, who reported her cats as being stolen. Enquiries have been carried out, but at this stage we have no evidence to suggest a criminal offence has been committed.”
She continued: “I am spending every penny on leaflets, laminated posters, searches and private investigators for the safe return of my cats. I am on a low income but this is my priority and I will work every waking hour to get money to spend on the safe return of my cats.
“The pain this separation is causing is unbearable. The feelings are so overwhelming it feels like I cannot breathe and just want to go outside and scream.
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“The bond between my boys and I is really strong and they are feeling it too. The stress they are going through is really detrimental to their health. They need to come home. This is a monstrous thing that has been done to them."
Both cats are described as very large with short hair. Harry is black and white and Skippy is a black tabby. Both are very talkative.
“Skippy is very vocal when he wants to feed, very wary of people, carries a lot of tension and has a bit of a frown. He does not like to be picked up,” she added.
Ms Hogan said the investigation is just beginning but the costs may run into thousands of pounds. But she is determined to go the distance having built up an unbreakable bond with her cats.
She said: "About 6 years ago when Harry was poorly, I took him to the vet and I remember sitting there praying that he was going to be ok.
"At that moment I realised that he was such an important part of my life and he really needed me to look after him. Two years ago, he nearly died and I truly believe that if I had not been looking out for him I would have.
"He is not a moaner and could be in excruciating pain and not let you know. You have to be a mind reader with cats like Harry."
She continued: "The bond with Skippy developed slower as all he wanted was a meal ticket and a place high up in the kitchen to sleep.
"I reached out to him because I knew he was a troubled soul and he had trust issues. I first realised that I had developed a deep emotional bond with him about 4 years ago and when he disappeared for the day, I was absolutely distraught and beside myself."
Ms Hogan said since sharing her ordeal online she has received a lot of support and told Bristol Live that she is willing to offer an award for their safe return.
"Having a pet stolen feels like you can't breathe and you need to go outside and scream," she added.
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