| Adventurous pet home after 160-mile trip |
Tom the tabby cat has just been returned home after his latest 160-mile solo journey.
The two-year-old's trip from Birmingham to Devon was the sixth time in the last 18 months he had gone on his travels.
This time the pet spent seven weeks away before being sent back to his owners by the RSPCA thanks to a microchip containing his details.
Owner Helen Strange said: "When Tom disappeared for the first time we were prepared never to see him again - but thanks to the microchip he keeps on turning up."
She went on: "Devon is the furthest he has travelled yet - we have no idea how he got that far, but can only presume he hitches a lift."
Mrs Strange, her husband Bill and children Tim, 11, and Michael, 8, have even designed a map showing Tom's travels.
RSPCA south west spokesman Janet Kipling said: "We have no idea how he gets around the country. A couple of times he turned up with sore paws, so he may have walked. But there is no way he has walked to Devon.
"He must be one of those curious cats who wants to see the whole of the country," she said.
RSPCA chief veterinary officer Chris Laurence said: "It sounds like a case of curiosity transported the cat. It is most likely that Tom is a curious feline who has made a habit of getting into cars and vans."
So far, Tom has clocked up around 225 miles on trips from his home in Hollywood, south Birmingham. His previous expeditions were to Birmingham city centre - twice - and then to Alvechurch, Tamworth and Leamington Spa.
Story filed: 16:27 Friday 28th September 2001
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