Family’s Bengal cat still missing after several months

One-and-a-half-year-old Zorro disappeared from his home near College Field on Kings Road in August.

Owner Daniela Gilligan said the family had searched everywhere, with Facebook posts and media appeals for help.

But there have not even been any sightings of the beloved family pet.

‘We first searched the College Field and its buildings, also Acorn House opposite, did a big walk around in the area, all the way around Havilland Hall,’ she said.

‘We have spent hours searching for him, calling for him – residents on our road must have been fed up hearing us shout Zorro. But nothing.’

The pet had been with the family since October 2021.

He was a friendly cat, who was known to the neighbours near Mrs Gilligan, but he did not normally venture far from home.

Mrs Gilligan said many people had tried to help, with many possible sightings.

‘It is actually unbelievable how many people have taken the time to do this – we must be an island of pet lovers,’ she said.

‘I have been sent so many photos of cats – but unfortunately none of them have ever been Zorro.’

Zorro was last seen on Saturday 6 August in the family’s front garden.

They had just come back from a holiday, and Mrs Gilligan’s mum had been staying at the house to look after Zorro.

The day he vanished the family had been going to pick up a new puppy, after losing beloved French bulldog Alan last May due to poor health. Zorro and Alan had been close.

‘I remember seeing Zorro lying in the grass in the garden, it was 10.15am and we were due to pick up the puppy at 10.30am,’ Mrs Gilligan said.

‘We came back 40 minutes later, and Zorro wasn’t around. We didn’t think much of it as he often goes for a wander – and figured it would be good for the puppy to get used to his surroundings as well without having Zorro around. Anyway, as time went on we kept calling Zorro and he never came. We wondered if he had seen the new dog, and been in a mood – but he wasn’t that sort of cat.

'We called him for hours and he just never came home. Sadly we now have this new dog, who has never met Zorro, and would love the company too. Also losing Alan, and then Zorro disappearing three months later has been really upsetting for us all.’

At first the family thought he had been shut in a shed, but as the weeks went by this seemed less likely.

Mrs Gilligan said if he had been in a road accident, it would have been reported as it was a residential area.

‘So many people also stopped us on our road and said they had searched their garages, sheds etc.’ she said.

‘But as time has gone on, we now think someone has kept him in somewhere, especially as there has not been one sighting of him, and so many people have looked for him. He was so sociable, he would have gone up to anyone. He was also the most beautiful-looking cat too.’

He is still deeply missed by his family.

‘My youngest daughter asks every day if I think he is ever coming home,’ Mrs Gilligan said.

‘It is so difficult as I just don’t have the answer. We are just all so sad about it, he was a big part of our family, and we miss him. He will be wondering where we are too, as Bengal cats are extremely loyal and get very attached to their owners.’

She urged anyone with information about Zorro to get in touch by emailing daniela@cwgsy.net