A CAT missing for almost a year has been reunited with her owner after she was found wandering around more than 19 miles from home. The cat ­– dubbed Muffin by her rescuers – was wandering the streets of Sandy in Bedfordshire and was taken to the Heydon s

A CAT missing for almost a year has been reunited with her owner after she was found wandering around more than 19 miles from home.

The cat ­- dubbed Muffin by her rescuers - was wandering the streets of Sandy in Bedfordshire and was taken to the Heydon site of Wood Green Animal Shelters on Friday.

During a routine check by the veterinary staff, Muffin was found to be micro-chipped, and the owner was contacted.

It was then they discovered Muffin - real name Dory - was from St Ives and had been missing since December 2006.

Becky Chapman, deputy manager at the animal shelters in Heydon, said: "Her owner was absolutely delighted when we called to say that Dory had been found. This highlights the importance of having your animals micro-chipped."

It is believed Dory could have jumped into someone's car or possibly into the back of a removal or delivery van.

However, there was some bad news at the Godmanchester shelter. On Monday, a dog abandoned in a box outside the complex had to be put down.

Staff discovered Charlotte shut inside a tiny tea chest at the exit gates of the shelters at 7am on Friday.

The small lurcher was in a terrible condition and could hardly stand. A vet found she had a heart murmur and was too poorly to be saved.

Sally Wooding, head of animal welfare at Wood Green, said: "We are all extremely devastated that we couldn't help Charlotte.

"If only she had been brought into us six months earlier we many have been able to save her and find her the wonderful, loving family that she deserved."

Wood Green Animal Shelters is a national animal welfare charity which has been re-homing unwanted animals since 1924.

INFORMATION: To find out more about the charity you can visit www.woodgreen.org.uk or phone 08701 904090.