West Norfolk cat owner tells of joy as pet is found 16 months after disappearance

Their human namesakes entertained legions of fans for decades and now two cats are back together 16 months after one disappeared from his West Norfolk home.

Chas and Dave are once again enjoying life at home in Watlington thanks, according to their owner, to the power of the microchip and current contact details.

Helen Kybert says she was resigned to not seeing Dave again after he went missing two weeks after she moved to the village in October 2019.

Both he and Chas were microchipped while under the care of the Cats Protection charity's Dereham branch.

But, because Helen updated her contact details when she moved to Watlington, it meant the charity's Downham team were able to contact her when Dave was found.

Helen said today: "If I hadn’t updated my address, Dave and Chas wouldn't be together at home today. I urge anyone with a microchipped cat to ensure their details are up to date.

"When they said they had my boy and he was alive and well, I cried and cried."

Becky Piggott, senior cat care assistant at the Downham adoption centre, said they had been "thrilled" when they found Dave and realised his chip details were current.

She said: "I love making these kind of phone calls, although all too often it isn’t such a simple story. Too many people forget to update their details on the database.”

As for Chas and Dave, Helen, who works as a data officer at the Downham Market Academy, says it's like they were never apart.

She said: “He's settled back to life with Chas and I so well. They play fight, snuggle up and wash each other just like when they were kittens. I honestly believe he remembers everything from before he strayed. Cats are amazing. I couldn't ask for a better outcome.”