Missing Cat, Known as ‘College Cat,’ Reunited with Owner After 16 Months

An owner has characterized the reunion with her cat, which had been missing for 16 months, as a “Christmas miracle.” Rhubarb vanished from Liverpool in August 2023. Her owner, Claire Berry, stated that after an extensive search, she had come to believe the cat was no longer alive. Ms. Berry expressed surprise upon receiving an unexpected call informing her that her tabby cat had been frequenting West Lancashire College in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, approximately 18 miles distant, where it had earned the moniker “college cat.” Ms. Berry conveyed her immense joy at Rhubarb’s return. The reunion between Rhubarb and Ms. Berry occurred after a college staff member, concerned for the cat’s welfare during winter, brought her to a veterinary clinic to ascertain if she had a microchip. Ms. Berry remarked, “I couldn’t believe it.” She also noted that Rhubarb had shown no inclination to leave the house since her homecoming. “She was so placid when she came home and climbed on my knee purring.” West Lancashire College stated its belief that the cat had a local residence “but just liked to visit us for company.” “Many of our students and staff fussed her, fed her daily and she had become part of the West Lancs family,” the college added. Jonathon Marlow, a lecturer at the college, explained that he grew concerned for the “friendly” feline as temperatures dropped, prompting him to take the “college cat” to a veterinarian for a microchip scan. He indicated that had the cat not been chipped, he was “fully prepared to adopt her.” It was then discovered that the cat’s true name was Rhubarb, and she had disappeared 16 months prior, at the age of 11 months, from Liverpool. “I was stunned to learn she had somehow made it all the way to Skelmersdale,” Mr. Marlow further commented. He described facilitating the cat’s reunion with its owner as “one of the most heartwarming experiences of my life.” He added, “Seeing Claire’s happiness after all this time is something I’ll never forget.” Ms. Berry referred to Rhubarb’s return as “my Christmas miracle,” expressing profound gratitude to Mr. Marlow and suggesting he “should be on Santa’s good list.”