A friendly one-eyed black cat called Dexter who was found on a north sea oil rig has been reunited with his Peterhead owner – after being missing for five years.
After a call on social media it was discovered the pet was not a feral cat but had an owner who was heartbroken when she lost him and had been looking for him for years.
Dexter, who had been named Jack by oil rig workers and was known as Joe at Grampian prison where he often visited, is a well-known cat in Peterhead.
It is believed that he must have nipped aboard a oil rig supply ship last week.
Friendly and affectionate Peterhead cat
Described as a friendly and affectionate cat by dozens of people who commented on his plight – he was flown back to Aberdeen by helicopter.
After checking for his microchip the Scottish SPCA reunited him with his owner in Peterhead.
Dexter, who has run away before, was last seen five years ago by his owner.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted to the cat on April 21, and collected him this morning after he continued his adventure with a personal helicopter ride back to shore.
Dexter had been living as a stray cat and frequenting the area around Peterhead Prison and Asco for the last five years.
Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer, Aimee Findlay said: “We were alerted yesterday to an incident of a cat being found in a shipping container offshore.
“We’ve no idea how the cat ended up there, but attended the heliport this morning to collect him.
“The cat had been nicknamed ‘One-eyed Joe’ by the prison who had been feeding him for five years, but after checking him for a microchip it turns out his real name is Dexter and he has been missing for five years.
“We are so glad that he was well looked after for the time he was missing, but were even more delighted to be able to reunite him with his original owner thanks to his microchip being up to date.”
Cat gets a meal at everyone’s door
Over the last five years it seems many people in Peterhead looked after the moggie, who also became known as Jack.
After a post on community Facebook group Peterhead Live, it seems he has been getting a meal at everyone’s door.
He is described as the Asco and the prison cat at HMP Grampian, with many recognising him with his one eye and his distinctive white mark on his chest.
The original post read: “My husband is offshore just now on night shift and this poor cat was found in a stores container last night.”
Dexter was found in a store container
It said: “Anyone missing a black cat with one eye with very slight white marking on his chest?
“Believe it or not, he has turned up offshore, was found in one of the stores containers. Very friendly cat and is needing reunited with his owner.”
Following the post, dozens of people claimed to know him. Many claiming that either they fed him – or knew someone who did.
One woman, Caroline Louise Anderson, said: “That’s the cat my other half feeds, hinna seen it for a wee while, now I know why.”
Another, Sarah Mitchell, said: “My boyfriend works at Asco security and he said it looks like the cat that stays at Asco.”
Then another said: “That’s the HMP Grampian jail cat, think he cuts about Asco as well.”
Mike Hebden joked: “Free the Grampian one – we want our cat back!”.
If anyone finds an injured animal, or an animal in distress, please don’t hesitate to contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 99