A pet cat in northeast Melbourne was cable-tied around its neck and tail. Credit:RSPCA Victoria

A family is in living in fear after their beloved pet cat was found bound with cable ties and had a note attached warning "keep your cat locked up or else".

Ragdoll cat "Maui" was let out of the family's home in Research, in Melbourne's north-east, at 6am on September 30.

Owner Carolyn Hegan said she was distraught when Maui returned two hours later with cable ties bound tightly around his neck, tail and one of his front legs and the threatening note affixed to his collar.