A FAMILY are growing increasing concerned about the whereabouts of their missing cat and are desperate to find him – dead or alive.
Louise and Terry Griffiths, of Orchard End, Ongar, have been searching high and low since six-year-old Abyssinian Willow disappeared on March 30.
The couple, who have no children, cherishes the pedigree cat 'like a son' and say they have been left heartbroken following his disappearance.
Mr Griffiths, a retired sales manager, said: "We have been going out every day to look for him.
"We have put up notices on lampposts, spoken to local vets, put letters through doors – we have tried everything.
"He has only ever gone missing once before when he got trapped inside somewhere, so this is very unusual.
"We just want to know what has happened.
"Everything we have tried has failed – we haven't even had one phone call, not even a false alarm.
"We have had him since he was a kitten and my wife cherishes him like a child, it's awful not knowing what has happened."
He added: "We can't keep him inside or lock him in, we once went on holiday for a couple of weeks and put him in a cattery.
"Within a few days he had gnawed his way through the metal fence and escaped, and was not found until just before we got back."
The Griffiths' have had three Abyssinians over the years, as well as two Somalis – a closely related breed.
"Abyssinians are very lovely cats and Willow means so much to me," said former telephonist Mrs Griffiths.
"It is devastating that he has gone, I just want to know what has happened.
"Someone must know what happened to him, whether he was hit or ended up locked in their house. We are desperate for any news of him, alive or dead
"We love him very much and I know that he loves us just as much.
"He means a great deal to us, we don't have children and we have always had cats."
She added: "It's so unlike him to disappear.
"The last time he did anything like this was three years ago and that was only a 24 hour thing.
"He came back injured but he recovered.
"He is a very friendly cat and he loves being stroked, he has a yellow collar but no name tag although we have had him chipped and neutered."
Mr Griffiths added: "We are worried that he might have gone anywhere after getting stuck in someone's car, so if anyone sees a cat like Willow, no matter how far away they are, it may be him."
The couple have reported Willow's disappearance to both Essex Police and Epping Forest District Council.
If you have seen Willow or know anything that might help find him, get in contact with the Griffiths on 01277 364918.
