Appeal to find Tonge Moor cat amid ‘pets going missing’

Sarah Chapman, 31, from Tonge Moor, is asking residents to help find her missing cat Charlie.

The three-year-old rescue cat has not been seen since Tuesday, March 17.

“He is the most loving cat and will go up to anyone,” said Sarah.

Charlie is microchipped but does not wear a collar as “he finds it distressing” .

He is a large tomcat, weighing around six kilos, with white legs and chest, a black “Batman mask” over his eyes, and a black smudge on his nose.

“He has a big belly, so he’s hard to miss really,” Sarah added.

Charlie the tomcat (Image: Supplied)

Charlie was last seen at around 3.30pm on Turner Bridge Road, off Crompton Way.

Sarah said: “We called him in a few hours after he was last seen, and when he didn’t come in at first we weren’t too worried, due to the warm weather.

“However, the following morning he still hadn’t returned.”

When checking neighbours’ cameras, there was no sign of Charlie.

Sarah is urging residents to check sheds and outbuildings in case he has been accidentally locked in.

While searching Tonge Moor and posting on Facebook, she discovered that at least three other cats in the area have also recently gone missing.

She said that people had posted about missing cats and as a result, she fears of the possibility that Charlie may have been stolen.

Sarah said: “He’s never run away from home before, and we’ve lived here for three years.

“Cats disappear all the time, but I worry with the suspicious activity so close by.”

Sarah’s six-year-old daughter is finding the situation very distressing and a £100 reward is being offered for Charlie’s safe return.

Posters are also being distributed across the area to raise awareness.

Until more is known, Sarah is urging other owners to keep their cats indoors after dark.

Anyone who spots Charlie, or believes they may have seen him, is asked to email s.e.chapman@hotmail.co.uk.

Three-year-old Charlie (Image: Supplied)

Tonge with the Haulgh councillor Emily Mort said: “I am a cat owner myself, so this is an issue that is particularly close to my heart.

“The resident should report the incident to the police if they have not already done so.

“We have proposed the adoption of an Animal Welfare Charter in Bolton.”

She added: “Animal welfare is a matter of importance to us all, and incidents should be reported to the police.

“Residents can call 101 or contact Greater Manchester Police online.”

Cllr Mort also recommended contacting Cats Protection, a national animal welfare charity, for advice and support.