Appeal over missing African Serval Cat in midlands

A frantic pet owner is looking for help in locating her missing African Serval Cat in the Midlands.  

Sam Norris is eager to let people know that her pet cat Phoebe, who was last seen near the Business Park on the Ballycumber Road in Ferbane, Co Offaly poses no threat to livestock or people. 

Phoebe, who weighs around seven kilos, was last seen in a shed opposite the Business Park in Ferbane on Monday, January 16. 

“I can’t emphasise enough that she is no danger to livestock or people. She is very shy and now running scared. I have sheep and she is terrified of them,” Sam explained. 

“I walk her. She is my baby. I was walking her on Friday afternoon and we last saw her at the old railway bridge(in Ferbane),” she remarked.

Since then, Sam has been contacted with footage of the cat in a shed across the road from the business park in Ferbane.

She said the cat is only eight months old and would be shy of people. It’s completely harmless and is barely knee high, Sam said. 

Sam bought the cat from an Irish breeder in Roscommon. It was bottle reared and eats dead mice and chicks. The cat is neutered and microchipped. 

“She is 100 percent not going to attack anyone. She is going to run away,” Sam explained. 

“They bond very much with one or two people and those two people are me and my daughter,” said Sam.

She praised Ferbane Gun Club who have been helping look for the cat. However, Sam said “the last thing I need is someone going out checking with dogs” as the cat would only run and hide. 

Anyone who spots the cat is asked to contact Sam or Maddy immediately. Sam said the cat could be lured to a location with raw chicken if the opportunity arises but she said it will run away if approached. 

Sam said there is a slim chance the cat might have gone towards the Grand Canal heading to Belmont as she is walked along that route on occasion.   

Sam is asking people living locally to please check their sheds and outbuildings.  Any sightings please call 087 2660533/085 2079874 immediately. 

“I am frantic and heartbroken to get her home, she is my baby, she is as harmless as a scared housecat despite her unusual appearance,” Sam said.