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A 20-year-old cat has been reunited with her owner after going missing from her Bridgend home nine years ago and even crossing the M4 at some point.

The cat's owner, Mike Marshall, had assumed that his cat had died in that time and couldn't believe it when the RSPCA rescued her just five miles from his home.

Babsy, who was unsteady on her legs, half-blind and very matted, was rescued in Sarn by an RSPCA inspector who was very shocked to discover she was microchipped.

RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said: "She looked extremely old, was very matted and was wobbly on her legs. She also appeared to have some problems with her vision.

"I scanned her and to my surprise she was microchipped and so I contacted the details on the chip. I couldn’t believe it - she had been missing for nine years and she was now 20 years old.

"Her owner was so shocked. Luckily, he had not moved address or changed his number so we were able to return her straight away. He assumed she would have died years ago."

(Image: RSPCA Cymru)

She was found five miles from her home and the other side of the M4 , meaning she must have crossed the motorway at some point.

Her date of birth was listed as January, 1999, and she was rehomed by Cats Protection in 2003 to her owner.

Unfortunately, due to her health problems, a vet advised that it would be for the best to put Babsy to sleep, meaning she only got to spend her last few hours with her owner.

Inspector Cooper added: "When I handed her back to her owner she recognised him instantly and began to purr. It was certainly a goosebump moment!

"He took her straight to the vets as she clearly had problems associated with her age and unfortunately due to many health issues and her age it was advised by the vet she was put to sleep.

"It is so very sad, but at least she got to be with her owner one last time and he was there at the end.

"It is a mystery what she has been doing over the past nine years, but she must have been looked after by someone to reach 20 years old."

(Image: RSPCA Cymru)

Mr Marshall said: "I would like to thank the RSPCA inspector for her kindness in returning her back home to me.

"Upon a subsequent visit to the vets she was discovered to be blind, had severe mobility issues and her overall physical deterioration would have necessitated sedation and anaesthesia before any detailed assessment and treatment could be undertaken.

"It was deemed she would have been unlikely to survive these procedures and undertaking them would have caused her unnecessary distress and suffering.

"Clearly, her 20-year life as a fully active and adventurous cat had run its course and, reluctantly, it was decided to let her go peacefully. She came home for her last couple of hours, and for that, I will be forever grateful to those who showed their kindness and compassion."

Mr Marshall called it "painful" to realise that his cat was so close for all those years.

He added: "I would also ask for anyone who has concerns for any animal they may suspect of being stray to arrange for them to be scanned for a chip as they may well be someone’s much-missed companion.

"It's a little painful to realise that Babsy was so near, yet so far away for all those years."