Cat missing from North Lanarkshire home found 300 miles away in Coventry

A cat who disappeared from his North Lanarkshire home last month has been reunited with his family – after being found 300 miles away in the West Midlands.

Beans, a ginger and white tabby from Cumbernauld, went missing from his home towards the end of October.

After a long search, owners Cara, 40, and Colin McBurnie, 51, “didn’t expect to see him again” – but only a couple of weeks later, they received a surprise call from Cats Protection saying he had been found in Coventry.

“He went out as normal because he likes to go for a wander but always comes home for some food, usually after a few hours”, said Ms McBurnie.

The McBurnie's completed a 600-mile round trip to collect Beans. — The McBurnie’s completed a 600-mile round trip to collect Beans. Cats Protection via Supplied

“We searched and searched, looking everywhere. I’ve been out every day looking but thought something must have happened to him.

“I didn’t really expect to see him again but joined lots of local lost and found Facebook pages, then further afield in Scotland.

“I didn’t think to look in England, I didn’t imagine he could have gone that far.”

Beans was spotted by Kelly Ryan, who posted on social media after noticing he was visiting the local neighbours.

She said: “I have an outdoor cat box with some straw in it and started noticing a cat hanging round.

“I didn’t feed him straight away as I thought he was probably owned. Then one night, I saw him sleeping in the cat box, and he was still there the next day, and the day after that.

“I just gave him a few biscuits to start with but heard he was going to visit other neighbours too and it felt like he was around too much and that something wasn’t quite right.”

Ms Ryan was contacted by Cats Protection, who sent someone out to scan Beans.

“I was so relieved when he had a chip and a loving family who had registered him as missing,” said Ms Ryan.

“He really is a miracle and I’m so grateful to the volunteers for helping him find his way home.”

Wendy Harris at Cats Protection Coventry called the McBurnie’s with the good news and the next day, November 12, Beans’ owners completed a 600-mile round trip to collect him.

How the cat managed to travel such a distance is still unknown.

“I couldn’t believe it when Wendy told me, I was shocked out of (my) mind that he was still alive, and how he travelled over 300 miles,” said Ms McBurnie.

“When we got him back, we let him out in the car for a cuddle then put him back in his carrier for the long journey.

“We were all exhausted, and he slept in the bed all night by my husband. Even my other cat, Missy, was happy to see him, they usually keep a bit of a distance but had a nice moment and a sniff together.

“I’m so glad we had him microchipped and updated his record. There’s no way he’d have come back to us otherwise.”