Chatham family frantic to find their exotic pet
Sandy Webster has spent the most of this week driving around Chatham-Kent looking for her son’s 32-pound African Serval cat after it jumped through the screen door of her North Chatham home at 11 p.m. Sunday.
“I was in another part of the home when I heard a crash,” said Webster.
Her ordeal started when she discovered the damaged screen door and the two-year-old exotic pet missing.
African serval cat named Simba. (Source: Stephanie Leipold)
“The cat provides emotional support for my son, and he has not slept or eaten since Simba disappeared.”
Webster says she was cat-sitting Simba so her 30-year-old son Brady Webster, who lives out of town, could travel.
He has been the owner of the cat for two years.
Despite the appearance, Webster added the big cat is declawed and avoids human contact, so people should not try to capture it on their own, as it will likely flee.
She did not believe it posed a threat to other pets because Simba lived with two other cats.
“It will appear domesticated because he had on a red harness and a black tracking collar.”
However, the collar only works within a certain range, making up-to-date sightings critical for its return.
Simba is around 21-22” at the top of his head, standing on the ground.
Webster was thankful some people and an organization have stepped up to help in the search like Big Fix Grassroots Cat Rescue.
A resident spotted Simba as far away as Pain Court, but was last seen on Tissiman Avenue on Monday.
Anyone who spots the animal is asked to call 519-809-7175.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.