THE mystery of a lost cat has been solved by microchip technology and a little bit of old-fashioned detective work.

RSPCA animal collection officer Sue Edmond was called out to Rymer's funeral directors in Penley's Grove Street, York, when staff heard the wailing of Thomas, a six-year-old tabby cat.

Although undernourished and suffering from an upset stomach, Thomas was in a fairly good condition so he was immediately scanned and a microchip was discovered, but Thomas turned out to be registered at a London address.

Sue tried the contact telephone number, but it was no longer in use, so she then asked an RSPCA colleague in London to visit the address.

It turned out that the cat's owners had moved to York and a neighbour passed on their address and mobile phone number.

RSPCA staff tried the number to reach owner Amanda George. But when they got through she was out shopping - in London.

Happily, Thomas and his owner are now together again.

Sue said: "It took a little bit of time and effort, but thanks to his microchip we were able to reunite Thomas with his owner. Anybody who loves their cat or dog should get them mircochipped."

Microchipping involves inserting an identification chip the size of a grain of rice under an animal's skin. A unique code and owner's contact information is then stored on the national PetLog database, increasing the likelihood of lost animals being reunited with their owners.

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, November 27, 2001