PET detectives have been on the case to find Missi the cat, who has gone missing in Bowdon.

Animal Search UK’s professional team was contacted by Simon McCrum, whose two-year-old cat went missing from the family home on December 17.

The team of pet detectives, led by former police officer Tom Watkins, who has more than 18 years of investigation experience, is often requested to carry out door-to-door inquiries or can assist with posters, leaflets, advice and expert support for owners.

The service operates a 24 hour Freephone number for members of the public to call with anonymous information or straightforward sightings of the missing pet.

The company launched 19 years ago, and now has as many as 2,000 visitors a day to its free website, scanning the lost and found databases in the hope of being reunited with their missing pets.

Mr Watkins said: “Most missing pets are found within a mile of home ­— the challenge faced by owners, is making sure that as many people as possible know that their pet has gone missing and encouraging them to be vigilant in keeping an eye out for them.

“Unfortunately, work and family commitments often mean that owners don’t have as much time as they’d like to devote scouring the area looking for their missing pet, and this is one of the ways in which Animal Search UK can help.

"Our professional, uniformed specialist search teams can usually be at any location in the UK within 48 hours, to help owners find a missing pet.”

Missi is a grey-ish tabby cat with white breast/front and white front legs. She has no collar but is microchipped, so any vet will scan her for free.

Her family are desperate to get her back home safely.

Mr Watkins said: “We’ll make sure that we have as much background as possible before we commence our investigation. We’ll check details about their normal routine, and their usual patterns of movement in the area.”

Anyone with news, information or who has a sighting of Missi should ring the Animal Search UK free confidential helpline on 0800 4 320 340 and quote case ref: ALP362665 or search on the website for pet ref: ALP362665

Lines are open 24 hours a day and you can remain anonymous or email information to info@animalsearchuk.co.uk