A Scots proprietor was left surprised when she obtained an 'out of the blue' name saying her lacking cat of over 17 years had been discovered.
Kim Collier was heartbroken when her cat Tilly vanished in 2004 after she relocated to Rosewell, Midlothian, from England.
The vet nurse desperately put up posters in a bid to seek out her moggy however gave up hope after months of trying to find her.
However Kim could not consider it when an SSPCA officer phoned on Tuesday evening to ask if she owned a cat named Tilly.
Chatting with the Every day File, the 39-year-old mentioned: "The SSPCA referred to as me out the blue asking if I had a cat referred to as Tilly and I used to be considering 'I did however ages in the past'. The officer mentioned she had her at the back of the van and I used to be like 'what?'.
"It was a really odd feeling, I didn’t actually know if I used to be coming or going. My world was turned the other way up...however in a great way."
After 17 and a half years aside, Kim was lastly reunited with Tilly on the vet the identical evening.
Kim, who now lives in Danderhall, was surprised to find that her pet was present in the identical space she disappeared from over a decade earlier than.
Tilly was tracked down as a result of Kim had continued to replace her pet's microchip particulars - even after two home strikes.
She mentioned: "I didn’t assume I’d ever see her once more, I used to be simply altering my microchip particulars for my different two pets and it was wishful considering.
"I used to be fully shocked and confused after I acquired the decision, I used to be eager about how I used to be going to take care of three pets however she is my cat, so I’m not going to surrender on her."
A involved resident had alerted the SSPCA after recognizing Tilly within the native space - and it was simply within the nick of time.
Tilly, who turns 20 this 12 months, is affected by a bladder tumour and is reaching the top of her life.
She is now receiving palliative care at Pentland Veterinary Clinic, the place Kim works.
Kim mentioned: "All of the employees listed here are so good and have taken her beneath their wing. She's acquired jumpers to maintain her heat and will get to return within the workplace, she's very spoiled.
"The primary factor is she is secure and the vets listed here are giving her wonderful care. We all know the end result will not be nice however I simply need to make her snug."
Kim hopes she's going to be capable of combine Tilly along with her two senior cats at dwelling, the place she will be able to dwell out her remaining days.
The vet nurse, who has labored within the sector for 20 years, insists she's by no means heard of pets being reunited after such a very long time.
She now needs to make use of her personal unbelievable story to boost consciousness over the significance of updating microchip particulars - even when all hope appears misplaced.
She mentioned: "She was discovered within the place she went lacking, I may have had her again 17 years in the past if somebody had phoned the SSPCA prior to now.
"The woman that discovered her had simply moved right here and located her lined in matt and she or he was pores and skin and bone.
"No one locally had realised that she was lacking earlier than.
"Individuals assume cats are simply hanging round and wanting fed however if you happen to see one wanting misplaced or in a nasty situation it is necessary to name it in."
Do not miss the most recent information from round Scotland and past - Signal as much as our day by day e-newsletterright here.