After being missing for more than eight months a stray ginger cat featured in the Medway Messenger has been reunited with his owner.

Maurice appeared in our weekly Anim-Mates column, which hopes to find new homes for animals which are being cared for by the rescue centre in St Mary, Hoo.

But what Anim-Mates didn’t realise was that Maurice, as he was named by staff, was actually a beloved pet called Woody who had gone missing from his Strood home.

Woody is now back with his delighted owner Christine Ross.

She said: “Whilst I had never given up hope of finding him, when I saw the photo in the paper I couldn’t believe my eyes.”

Woody disappeared after Carol moved home nine months ago.

She explained: “We kept Woody in for two weeks after we moved, but as soon as he was let out he disappeared, no doubt trying to return to our former house.

“We went back to the old house several times in our search for him and spent many days calling his name.”

She added: “Now he’s back he follows me everywhere and doesn’t leave my side.”

"Their reunion was quite emotional" - fosterer Teresa Bloomfield

His fosterer at Anim-Mates Teresa Bloomfield said: “When we rescued him in June and named him Maurice he was quite scruffy and battered looking.

“When Carol first called me I was doubtful that Maurice was her missing cat as she said he was 15 years old.

“We thought he was only about nine or 10 years at the most. He really is a live wire for his age.

“We immediately put on hold any plans to rehome Maurice.

“When Carol came to see if Maurice really was her Woody any doubts I had disappeared.

“Their reunion was quite emotional. I am so pleased we were able to return him to his rightful family.

“Carol had Woody from a tiny kitten and realises that if she had got him microchipped he would have been returned to her immediately he was found.

“As all cats taken in by Anim-Mates are given a heath check and then microchipped, vaccinated, wormed, defleaed and if necessary neutered, Woody is in fine fettle with his new chip.”

• Visit www.anim-mates.org.uk to find out more.