Halesowen's celebrity moggie Winston back home after cat-napping

Officers found Winston at an address on Hagley Road, Halesowen, where he had been being kept indoors.

They returned the popular ginger and white moggie to his overjoyed owner Matthew Waterhouse on Friday September 1.

Matthew contacted the police after an appeal to find his beloved pet led to him receiving a tip-off that a woman, who was known in the town, had been spotted putting a ginger cat into a cat carrier by the bus station.

Officers then recovered Winston from the woman at her home on Hagley Road. 

A spokesperson for West Midlands said: "Following a public appeal that a cat had gone missing from a home in Bundle Hill, Halesowen, we received a report that a woman had taken the animal.

"We visited the woman at her address in Hagley Road, Halesowen where we found the cat, which has now been returned to its rightful owner.

"No further action has been taken."

Winston made it onto Halesowen police's twitter feed when accompanying officers on patrol (Image: Halesowen Police)

Matthew, who was heartbroken by his pet's disappearance, had put up posters around the town and launched an appeal in the Halesowen News for information on Winston's whereabouts.

Winston is a popular figure around the bus station and Cornbow Centre with the cheeky moggie lapping up fuss and treats from shoppers.

He has been a regular at Jimmy Macs cafe and has even been known to pop into hair salons. One of his popular spots is outside Heron Foods.

Staff and pupils at Our Lady and St Kenelm Primary school on Bundle Hill had been praying for his safe return.

Headteacher Christine Finnegan e mailed Matt saying that Winston was a regular school visitor and the children and staff "adore" him.

She had asked people to keep an eye out for him when he went missing.

Matt adopted Winston in 2021 after his previous owner, Matt's elderly neighbour, went into a care home.

Winston, who is thought to be around age 14, is microchipped as being his pet. 

Matt is delighted to have Winston back home (Image: Handout)

Matt, who works as a deputy registrar at Birmingham Register Office, said: "It's amazing to have him back - what an escapade it has been.

"I kept him in for a week and he has gone back out now.

"I had the option to press charges against the woman who took him, but decided not to as even though she put me through hell she may have had reasonable intentions at the beginning to keep him away from the roads.

"She knew he was loved and missed by his owner and others and she allowed us to agonise about his whereabouts."

The 52-year-old added: "I've had so many comments online celebrating Winston's return, it has been wonderful.

"It is a joy and a relief to have him back home where he belongs!"

Winston is home! (Image: Handout)