A couple has been joyfully reunited with their beloved cat, Big Ginge, a decade after he vanished from their narrowboat. Colin Clayton and Eva Bellamy, who were on their honeymoon near Fradley Junction in 2011, last saw Big Ginge during their trip, which took place 25 miles from their home in Birmingham.
The couple had grown accustomed to their three cats—Weasel, Diesel, and Big Ginge—frequently hopping on and off the boat. When Big Ginge failed to return with the others, they initially assumed he would come back. After an extended search, the couple registered him as missing using his microchip.
Earlier this year, Cats Protection’s Lichfield and Tamworth branch discovered a stray cat in Lichfield, which they had nicknamed Marmalade. Sue Hocknell from the branch shared that Marmalade had started to trust a local resident who fed him regularly. When the cat developed a lump on his flank, he was taken to the vet, where it was revealed that Marmalade was indeed Big Ginge.
Fortunately, the lump was found to be benign, and Big Ginge is now safely back in his original home. The couple expressed relief and happiness, stating they plan to keep him indoors for the time being to avoid further stress. The mystery of Big Ginge’s decade-long disappearance remains unsolved, but his return has brought immense joy to his owners.
