Cheeky cat found near M25 McDonalds 30 miles from Billericay home

Chewie was rescued after finding himself at London Colney McDonalds, near the M25
-Credit:Cats Protection St Albans Branch


An adorable cat was found more than 30 miles from home at a McDonalds takeaway close to the M25 in Hertfordshire. The cat, called Chewie, was found early in the evening on January 25 when staff at the London Colney takeaway were alerted to the cat roaming the car park.

Chewie was approaching members of the public having somehow made the amusing journey from their home in Billericay - an hour's drive away from where he ended up. Staff at the takeaway were concerned about the cat being close to an exit for the M25 on a very busy roundabout.

The cat was taken to the takeaway's small back office where staff gave him the nickname 'Big Mac'. A volunteer for St Albans and District Cats Protection was contacted, immediately arranged a temporary space for the cat and then headed off to get the 'take away' cat.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Man jailed after Facebook appeals help catch Harlow doorstep thief

ALSO READ: 'Yobs terrorising residents' and 'running amok' in dilapidated Essex tower blocks

Big Mac's real name, Chewie, was discovered through his microchip. It also identified him as being a Norwegian Forest cat and was registered to a home in Billericay.

Without a microchip it's unlikely that Chewie would ever have been returned to his owners as they would not have known how far he had travelled. Compulsory microchipping for cats came into law last year with owners risking a fine of £500 if they fail to comply.

A microchip identified Chewie as being registered in Billericay
A microchip identified Chewie as being registered in Billericay -Credit:Cats Protection St Albans Branch

Chewie had been missing for two weeks and his owners had been searching the area where he lived. There was a tearful reunion when Chewie was eventually reunited with his owners.

A spokesperson for Cats Protection's St Albans branch said: "We will never know how he got to London Colney but he had very short and scuffed claws which would suggest that at some time he had been shut in somewhere – possibly a van or lorry - for a considerable time. If he wasn't chipped, or his contact details weren't up to date, he would not have been reunited so quickly."