A WOMAN from Yate returned home from a charity trek for dogs in Thailand to find that her pet cat has gone missing.

Julie Reed, 58, returned home early from a jungle trek in Thailand to fundraise for Soi Dog – a charity which helps to rescue dogs from the meat trade there.

During Julie’s trip she had an injury and was transported out of the jungle and taken to hospital.

“We were trekking in very remote jungle villages in Northern Thailand when I fell in wet mud and broke my wrist. The story after that was like a Top Gear Special with an eight hour journey out of the jungle and two days spent waiting for surgery.”

She hoped to return to the comforts of her own home and her gentle natured furry feline friend - but that wasn’t to be.

“I arrived home eight days ago to learn that my beautiful long-haired silver tabby cat Oscar had been hit by a neighbour’s car and had run off injured."

She returned home on Sunday, November 20, one day after he was hit near the junction on Gravel Hill Road, Yate. Her husband, Nick, 53, and 22-year-old son had been out searching through the night and had not slept.

“My son Ellis is distraught. He was very close to him. Oscar used to wait on the driveway for Ellis to come home every day to greet him.

“Ellis and Oscar were always together. Oscar never lets anyone else get near him, he adores my son.”

Since returning she has joined her family to search day and night for him.

“We have been looking everywhere around the clock, and we are at the point of exhaustion.

“We live in Yate Rocks and have scoured every inch of the area up to over 500 metres away.”

“I believe he is out there somewhere but we cannot locate him - not even a body.

The family have hung up missing posters and leaflets door-to-door. Other people in the town have also helped in their search.

“We have had overwhelming support. It restores your faith in human nature.”

She believes that he may be around the Brimsham park area, and has asked the public to look out for him.

In a description of Oscar, she said: “He is a large silver Tabby Persian Chinchilla cat. He’s five kilograms and only three years old.

“He’s a very nervous, shy cat, who would never go up to a stranger. He enjoys the outdoor life catching mice, and his sister is here, pining for him and she won’t eat.

“It feels horrible, we’ve lost part of the family and we miss him so much.”

If you see the cat please contact Julie on 07860769577.