A large two-year-old African serval cat has been missing in the Chatham-Kent area for several days and the owners are desperate to bring it home.
Sandy Webster was cat-sitting Simba, her son Brady’s support animal, when he escaped from her Chatham home.
The big cat was last spotted on Maple Line in Pain Court nearly a week ago, she said.
Brady Webster is having a tough time coping as his beloved pet that he’s owned since he was born, has gone missing.
“I don’t have any words for you,” he said of not having his pet. “It’s life or death right now.”
Since Simba is likely traveling at night, Sandy Webster said they believe it likely is taking shelter in a barn or garage to sleep during the day.
“We’re encouraging anyone with cameras on their property to view them daily,” she said.
She added they may be able to spot Simba at night.
If someone sees the large cat, Webster said it is important they take a photograph and immediately call or text her at 519-809-7175 to confirm the sighting.
“People can’t try to catch him on their own,” Webster said. “He is a one-owner pet. He will not be approached.”
She added it can’t be enticed with food.
Webster said Brady is the only person to whom Simba will come.
Although Simba is a large cat, Webster said it has no claws and is not a threat to house pets.
She added it lives with two house cats.
This is the first time Simba, which doesn’t live in Chatham-Kent, has run away.
Webster said they are worried how far it may have travelled.
“We were told by breeders that have recovered serval cats within a few days that they’ll be within a five-kilometre radius,” she said.
But the family fears Simba may have traveled farther by now.