Isle of Wight animal shelter in bid to reunite Russian cat with owners

A team of animal lovers are trying to reunite a cat from Russia with his owners in time for Christmas after the feline ended up at an Isle of Wight shelter.

Ivan, as he is currently known, was handed over to Southampton Cats Protection and when his microchip was scanned, the number showed it originated in Russia.

But there was no registered address or any other details.

Ivan, believed to be about three-years-old, was then transferred to an adoption centre on the Isle of Wight, where he is being quarantined and has received a rabies vaccination.

Centre manager Mel Read said: “Ivan is a real mystery.

“He is very friendly and so may be a long-lost beloved pet who was used to his home in Russia and then got confused once he was allowed outside after a long journey to the UK.

“Perhaps he was brought over as a kitten.

“We don’t know if he came in through official channels as part of the PETS scheme so he has been quarantined here at the centre as a precaution.”

The centre is appealing for information from anyone who may know his owner. If they are unable to find them, they will rehome him.

“An up-to-date microchip would have made such a difference in this situation,” the manager said.

“We would urge everyone to ensure their cat’s details are updated, especially if you move here from abroad.

“It just takes a quick call to your cat’s microchip company, or many can be updated online. If you don’t know which company your cat’s chip is registered to, a vet will be able to tell you by scanning your cat.”

Ivan was first discovered by a Southampton couple who fed him in their garden, where he had been sleeping rough, for five months.

They let him into their house when the weather turned colder, but could not keep him because they had their own cats.