FOREST of Dean Cats Protection have launched a new service for owners of lost or found cats.

They have organised a dedicated Facebook page, which aims to highlight cats which have been lost by their owners, and stray or found cats.

But while some cats may be dumped by irresponsible owners, the organisation point out that other cats simply have a wanderlust and a tendency to 'go walkabout'.

As an example, Cats Protection have highlighted the case of Madge, a Bengal cross cat, who is owned by Phil Reed, of the Hannya Tattoo shop in Lydney, and his family.

Unbeknown by them, Madge decided to hitch a ride in a takeaway van from the family home in Joy's Green to a housing estate in Coleford.

But despite Mr Reed placing pleas about her on social media websites, and reported sightings of her on the estate, he could not locate her - despite hours of searching armed with her favourite treats.

But then, three weeks later, Emma Wrafter, a holidaymaker who was staying in the almshouses in Newland village, noticed a cat in the local churchyard.

She, along with some villagers, began to feed it, and had the foresight to contact the local Cats Protection. They put Madge on Facebook, and she was spotted by friends of the Reed family, who were notified and rushed to be reunited with their missing moggie.

A spokeswoman for Cats Protection takes up the story: "The family arrived at Newland and met the cat's saviours, and soon tea was dispensed and a mini street party developed.

"As the cat and her owners were reunited, it was a very emotional moment, and a real community effort."

She added: "Madge is now back in Joy's Green and, hopefully, won't fancy a takeaway again!

"Thanks go to Emma and her neighbours in Newland for looking after Madge."

The lost and found cats service can be found via the Facebook tag Cats Protection Forest of Dean Branch. Their main website remains at http://www.cats-forestofdean.co.uk">www.cats-forestofdean.co.uk.

• Three weeks ago the Review highlighed the plight of Celia, a nursing mother cat who was dumped, along with her five kittens, in woods near Mitcheldean.

Now, Cats Protection have reported that all five of her offspring have now been found homes.